Vein Health 101: How Veins Work (and what to do when they don’t)
By Cindy Asbjornsen, DO
every cell in the body. The major parts of the circulatory system (also known as the cardiovascular system) are the heart, arteries and veins. Simply put, the heart pumps blood to the arteries, which take the oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. The veins take deoxygenated blood back up to the heart, where it is pumped directly to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is replaced by oxygen, the re- newed blood fl ows back to the heart, and the whole process begins again. While the arterial side of the hu-
F
man circulatory system has been studied extensively, much less research has been conducted on veins, also referred to as the venous system. Yet, the veins contain approximately 70 percent of the body’s total blood volume when a person is at rest.
or twenty-four hours a day, the hu- man circulatory system is continu- ously moving oxygen-rich blood to
What is Venous Disease?
Healthy veins carry blood from all extremities back to the heart. In the legs, blood is usually traveling against gravity, thus the valves in the leg veins perform an important function. Venous insuffi ciency, or vein disease, occurs if the valves in the veins become damaged and allow the backward fl ow of blood in the legs. This pooling of blood can lead to a feeling of heaviness and can cause skin changes such as “spider veins” or a brown, woody appearance to the lower legs. Left untreated, it can lead to leg pain, swelling and serious health prob- lems. Venous disease is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. Many people have visible vari-
cose veins, while others have no visible signs of the disease. It can affect men and women of all ages and activity levels, and while it has a strong genetic component, venous disease can be aggravated by en- vironmental risks and other factors. When people encounter any of the symptoms of venous disease, they should be considered early stage symptoms of a serious medical disorder. A few of the typical signs of venous insuffi ciency are swollen ankles; heavy, achy, tired feeling in legs; legs that feel better in the morn- ing, worse in the afternoon.
Other symptoms include
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Spider veins are the common term for blue- or purple- colored veins which oc- cur under the skin but are close enough to be seen on the surface. They are an indication of early stage venous disease. Although treatment at this stage is gener- ally dependent upon symptoms, it can be preventative. Varicose veins are visible veins in the leg that bulge, often protruding through the skin, as a result of blood that pools in the vein because of a faulty valve. They are a symptom of early stage venous dis- ease. If left untreated, a varicose vein can lead to more concerning medical issues. Pain and discomfort are common symptoms, although symptoms of early stage venous disease are not always painful. Some people experience itchy skin or cramping in the legs, while others experience restless leg syndrome, aching or swelling.
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