6 Facts You Need to Know About Vein Disease

The veins are vital for blood circulation and carry blood to your heart from various parts of your body. Vein disease (venous insufficiency) occurs when the veins have trouble carrying blood to the heart and may cause blood to pool in the leg veins. The major factors causing vein disease include varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). 

Reduced blood circulation can lead you to feel weak and lethargic. In severe cases, it can result in blockages or blood clots, endangering your overall health.

Here are some facts that you should know about vein disease:

1. Damaged Vein Valves Can Affect Blood Flow
   Hereditary factors, aging, overweight, sitting or standing for long periods, and a sedentary lifestyle can damage veins. Damaged veins can interrupt the blood flow to the heart, causing blood to pool within the vein and require treatment to be repaired.
2. Your Vein Valves Can Be Treated
   Valves can be repaired with the following treatments:
   • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – Uses radio waves to treat damaged veins.
   • Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) –Uses light. waves to seal the affected veins.
   • Venaseal–This medical adhesive is injected into the damaged veins to close them.
   • Sclerotherapy –Injecting a solution to seal varicose veins 
3. Movement Helps with Venous Insufficiency
   Improved and proper blood circulation can manage venous insufficiency. Walking, jogging, stretching your thigh and calf muscles for thirty minutes, or riding a stationary bicycle several times a week can improve blood circulation. 
4. Your Diet Affects Venous Insufficiency
   A diet lacking fiber causes constipation and increases pressure on your veins, causing venous insufficiency. Therefore, including fiber-rich foods in your diet, like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, can prevent constipation that may cause vein disease. 
5. Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment Guidelines

   Treatment for venous insufficiency can include:

   Changes in Lifestyle Habits

   • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
   • Maintain a healthy weight.
   • Exercise regularly, especially walking.
   • Keep your legs elevated whenever possible. 
   • Sit with legs uncrossed. 
   Compression Stockings
   Wear compression stockings to apply pressure to your lower legs, helping to maintain proper blood circulation. 
   Antibiotics Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to treat skin infections and ulcers caused by chronic venous insufficiency. They may also treat the underlying diseases to prevent the reoccurrence of such infections. 
   Other Medications Your doctor might prescribe blood thinners to improve blood flow and prevent blood clotting.
   Skin Care
   Dry or cracked skin can impact blood circulation, so your doctor might recommend:
   • Applying moisturizer to keep your skin moisturized 
   • Wet compress for skin leaking fluid
   • Anti-itch cream for inflamed skin
   • Anti-fungal cream to prevent fungal infections 
   Non-Surgical Treatment
   • Sclerotherapy –Eliminates the discomfort and pain caused by damaged veins and prevents ulceration and venous hemorrhage. This is often a cosmetic procedure.
   • Endovenous Thermal Ablation –Uses high-frequency radio waves or a laser to seal the damaged veins and leave them in place to minimize bruising and bleeding. This procedure involves less pain and a faster recovery.
   Surgical Treatments
   • Ligation and Stripping
     These procedures are often performed together. During vein ligation, the surgeon cuts and ties off the damaged veins. Patients can recover in a few days. Stripping involves removing larger veins through two small incisions. Patients may require ten days for recovery and experience bruising for a few weeks after surgery.
   • Vein Bypass
     A healthy vein is transplanted from somewhere else in your body to reroute the blood around the damaged vein. This procedure is performed in severe cases when other treatments do not work.
   • Microincision/Ambulatory Phlebectomy
     Your doctor makes small incisions or needle punctures on the veins and uses a phlebectomy hook to remove the damaged veins.
6. Venous Insufficiency Do Not Cause Heart Problems
   Venous insufficiency does not affect the heart or cause heart problems. However, existing heart problems like congestive heart failure can worsen your vein problems.

Contact us today or schedule an appointment with us to receive the best vein treatment in Johns Creek.