Do you have bulging veins in your legs? Let's talk about venous disease!

Do you sometimes see blue or purple veins in your legs? Or do your legs just feel heavy, tingly, or achy? Some people may think that this is normal, something that happens after standing for a long time or after a little exertion. However, these symptoms can sometimes be the first signs of a problem with our body's venous system, the system of veins that carries dirty blood. So today, let's talk about this in a little more detail, what is venous disease, how does it develop, and what can we do to protect ourselves from it.

What is Venous Disease? Let's understand it very simply!

Simply put, Venous Disease is any condition that affects the veins in our body, the type of blood vessels that carry dirty blood to the heart. You know, these veins are like flexible, hollow tubes. They are a very important part of the circulatory system that carries blood throughout our body.

The main function of veins is to carry oxygen-depleted blood (let's call it "dirty blood") back to the heart after it has been used in various parts of our body. The heart then cleans this blood, adds oxygen, and pumps it back to the rest of the body. On the other hand, arteries carry oxygen-rich, clean blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It is very important for our health that these two function properly.

Now look, there's something really amazing inside these veins. They're called valves . These are like little doors. When we move, when we walk, when our muscles contract, these valves open. Then the blood flows in one direction, that is, towards the heart, upwards. When the muscles relax again, these valves close. Then the blood stops flowing back down due to gravity. Think of it like a valve that stops the water from flowing back down when you pour water into a water tank.

However, if the valves inside the veins are somehow damaged due to this venous disease, they may not close properly. What happens if that happens? Imagine, if that door cannot close properly, blood starts to leak backward, or it can even flow in both directions. That's when one by one the problems, that is, the symptoms related to venous disease, begin to emerge.

What are the types of venous diseases? Let's be aware!

There are many different types of venous disease. Let's take a look at the main types:

• Blood Clots: These can occur not only in the legs and arms, but also in the veins of internal organs such as the kidneys, spleen, intestines, and liver, in the veins of the brain (Cerebral Vein Thrombosis), in the veins of the kidneys (Renal Vein Thrombosis), and even in the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism).
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This is a condition that many people have heard of, and it can be a bit scary. This is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein (usually in the legs, sometimes in the arms). A DVT alone is not life-threatening. However, if this blood clot breaks free and travels through the bloodstream and gets stuck in a vein in the lungs, we call it a Pulmonary Embolism (PE), which is a life-threatening emergency.
• Superficial Thrombophlebitis: This is when a blood clot forms in a superficial vein , close to the skin. This type of blood clot usually does not travel to the lungs unless it first travels to the deep venous system. However, it can cause severe pain.
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This condition occurs when blood in the veins does not move properly and stagnates. This can cause persistent swelling in the legs, increased pressure in the veins, skin discoloration (black or brown), and non-healing wounds, known as venous stasis ulcers .
• Varicose Veins and Spider Veins: These are a common condition that many people see, and are sometimes considered a cosmetic problem. This is when the vein walls become weakened, causing the veins to become twisted, swollen, and visible above the skin's surface. Spider veins are smaller, spider-like veins.
• Venous Ulcers: These are wounds that take a long time to heal or that recur after healing. They are most often found below the knee, on the inside of the leg, and just above the ankle.
• Arteriovenous Fistulas: This is an abnormal condition where an artery (the blood vessel that carries clean blood) and a vein (the blood vessel that carries dirty blood) connect directly without anything in between.

How common are these venous diseases?

These diseases are more common than you might think. For example, in a country like America, it is reported that more than 30 million people have these conditions. Researchers say that this number will increase in the future. Because as people live longer and gain weight, the risk of developing these venous diseases also increases.

It is estimated that about 33% of adults, or about one in three, have varicose veins . Also, about 1% of adults develop venous leg ulcers .

What are the symptoms of venous disease? Be aware of this!

With venous disease, you may experience symptoms like these in your legs or arms:

• Pain, cramping, or discomfort in the legs.
• Redness of the skin or a feeling of warmth in the area.
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs or arms.
• Itching or burning sensation on the skin.
• Swelling.
• Bulging veins.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is wise to seek medical advice rather than ignoring them.

Why do these venous diseases occur? What are the causes?

There are several causes of venous disease:

• Having a defect in the formation of veins at birth.
• Some accident or injury to the veins.
• Effects caused by other venous diseases.
• Weakening of the vein walls due to factors such as pregnancy, aging, cysts or tumors.
• High blood pressure.

Who is at higher risk of developing these venous diseases?

Some people are more likely to develop venous disease than others. Let's take a look at who they are:

• If anyone in the family has venous disease (family history).
• During pregnancy (hormonal changes and the pressure on the veins caused by the growing baby)
• If your BMI (Body Mass Index) is more than 30. (That means you are overweight for your height)
• For women. (due to hormonal effects)
• People who spend a lot of time in the same position, especially standing or sitting. (e.g. teachers, shop workers, people who work in offices sitting for long periods of time)
• For those taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
• For those who use tobacco products (smokers).

What other complications can occur due to venous disease?

If venous disease is not treated properly, it can lead to other health problems. Imagine, one problem leads to many more problems.

• Blood clots in the veins above the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis) can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) .
• DVT can lead to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or pulmonary embolism (PE) .
• Pulmonary embolism can cause pulmonary hypertension .
• Varicose veins can cause superficial thrombophlebitis or venous ulcers .
• If venous ulcers do not heal properly, they can become infected and cause dangerous infections like gangrene .

Therefore, if you have symptoms of venous disease, it is very important not to ignore them, but to seek medical advice and seek proper treatment.

How do you find out if you have venous disease?

If you think you have symptoms of venous disease, the first thing you should do is see a doctor. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has had these conditions (family medical history). Then they will do a physical exam. If necessary, they may recommend some tests to confirm the diagnosis.

What tests are being done for this?

Tests such as these can be useful in diagnosing venous disease:

• Ankle-brachial index (ABI): This measures blood flow to the legs.
• Ultrasound: This is the most common, painless test. It can look at things like how blood flows inside the veins, whether there are blood clots, and whether the valves are working properly.
• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS): This involves inserting a small camera into a vein to examine it.
• CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT): This can also take detailed images of the inside of the body.
• MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI): This is another test that provides clear images of the inside of the body.
• Angiogram test: In this test, a special liquid is injected into the veins and an X-ray is taken to see if there are any blockages in the blood flow.

The doctor will decide which tests to perform based on your condition.

What are the treatments for venous diseases?

Treatment for venous disease depends on many factors, including the type of disease, its severity, and your overall health. There are mainly these types of treatments:

• Medications: Medications can be given to prevent blood clots, dissolve existing blood clots, and reduce pain.
• Compression stockings or bandages: These are special stockings or bandages that are worn on the legs. They apply pressure to the veins, helping blood flow upward and reducing swelling.
• Lifestyle changes: This is very important. Things like eating a low-fat diet, exercising daily, and quitting tobacco use.
• Special procedures or surgeries: In some cases, special procedures or surgeries on the veins may be necessary.

Specific medications and treatments

The medications and treatments given vary depending on the type of disease. Here are some examples:

• Anticoagulants: These are also called blood thinners.
• Thrombolytics: These are given in cases of large blood clots, in emergency situations.
• Endovenous ablation of varicose veins: This involves using technologies such as lasers, sclerotherapy, or radiofrequency to inactivate the damaged part of the vein from within.
• Surgical removal of the blood clot (Thrombectomy): Some large blood clots are removed this way.
• Vena Cava Filter: A small filter-like device that is placed in a major vein to prevent a blood clot from traveling to the lungs, for people who have DVT but cannot take blood thinners.
• Vein surgery: Surgery to remove or repair damaged veins.

The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about the treatment that is best for you. Be clear about the pros, cons, and side effects of each treatment.

Are there any side effects of the treatment?

Yes, like any medical treatment, vein treatment can have some side effects. It depends on the type of treatment you are receiving. Therefore, it is important to discuss these with your doctor before starting treatment.

How soon will I feel better after treatment?

This also varies from person to person and depending on the type of treatment. Some treatments can provide quick relief. A condition like superficial thrombophlebitis can resolve in a few weeks. However, some venous diseases may take longer to resolve. Some people may have chronic venous disease , which means they have to live with the condition for a long time. Your doctor will be able to give you some advice based on your situation.

How to reduce the risk of venous disease? Prevention is the best!

Maintaining the health of our veins and the entire cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessel system) can reduce the risk of developing venous disease. Here are some things you can do to do this:

• If you have diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes, control them well.
• Exercise for at least 30-60 minutes a day, most days of the week. Things like walking, cycling, and swimming are good.
• If you're someone who sits or stands for long periods of time, move around and walk around at least once an hour. The same goes for when you're traveling.
• Avoid using tobacco products completely.
• Maintain a healthy weight for your height.
• Eat a diet low in salt and saturated fat.
• Manage stress well.

What happens if you have venous disease? Don't worry, it can be managed!

If left untreated, venous disease can gradually worsen and affect your quality of life. Therefore, proper treatment can help control the condition and improve your quality of life. Some venous diseases, for example , varicose veins and spider veins , can recur after treatment. Venous ulcers can also recur.

Therefore, it is very important to continue to undergo tests as prescribed by the doctor and follow the doctor's instructions. You may also need to repeat tests such as an ultrasound to see how things are going.

How can I take care of myself? There are things you can do too!

Whether you're sitting or standing, if possible , walk around and move your legs at least once an hour. This will help your blood flow. Staying away from tobacco products is also a big help for the health of your blood vessels. If you need help breaking this habit, ask your doctor about it.

When should I see a doctor?

Keep all appointments your doctor has given you. Also, if you notice any changes in your usual symptoms, or if they seem to be getting worse, let your doctor know right away.

When do you need to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ? Be especially careful about this!

If you are taking blood thinners/anticoagulants and you are bleeding too much , seek emergency treatment immediately.

Also, if you experience symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism - PE) , call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. These symptoms include:

• Sudden shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Cough, sometimes with blood.
• Bluish skin.

If you have symptoms like these, consider it an emergency and go to the hospital immediately.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

When you go to see the doctor, you can ask questions like these to get a clear understanding of your condition:

• How severe is my venous disease?
• What can I do to manage this condition at home?
• Do I need medication? Or do I need some kind of treatment or surgery?
• What treatments can I receive at your clinic?

Finally, remember...

Venous disease is a condition that affects many people, so you are not alone. The most important thing is to talk openly with your doctor about your condition and try to manage it with their help. The more you know about your condition, the better you will be able to make informed decisions and take better care of yourself. So, don't be afraid to ask questions, be informed. Wishing you good health!

` Venous Disease, Blood Clots, DVT, Varicose Veins, Veins, Leg Swelling, Blood Circulation