Vein Treatment

Venous disease refers to any condition related to or caused by veins that become diseased or abnormal. This condition is quite common, generally occurring in the legs. Mild venous disease is usually not a problem for most people, but as venous disease worsens, it can become a debilitating condition.

Anatomy of Leg Veins

The anatomy of the leg venous system is similar to the root system on a plant. There are small hair-like roots out at the very ends of the plant that take in the water. These in turn drain into medium sized roots and then into large branches and finally into the main stem.

The same is true of leg veins. Small microscopic veins called veinules collect the deoxygenated blood that has been "used up" and drains into medium sized veins and then into large branches and finally into the main stems, which returns this blood to the heart. There are two main stems in each leg. They are the greater saphenous and lesser saphenous veins. This system can be broken down into two sub-systems. The first is a superficial vein system which lies just under the skin and is the one that can become varicose. The second system is a Deep system down near the bone and very rarely has varicose problems.

Venous Disease

The function of veins is to return blood to the heart. To do that, veins rely on one-way valves to keep the blood moving uphill against gravity. Venous disease develops when these valves or the vein walls become damaged or diseased, many times creating a "dilated vein". This can cause blood to pool in your legs and lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, swollen limbs, leg heaviness and fatigue, skin changes and skin ulcers, and varicose veins.

Venous diseases include Spider veins, Varicose Veins, Leg Swelling and Leg Pain, Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Leg Skin Changes, Leg Ulcers, Phlebitis, and Venous Malformations. Fortunately most conditions can be treated in the office as an out-patient procedure.

Risk Factors

Venous disease is usually a genetic condition passed down in family lines, affecting both men and women. Certain aggravating factors do seem to accelerate the development of venous disease and sometimes are the outright cause. These include pregnancy, heavy work requiring lifting and straining, standing for long periods of time (especially on hard surfaces like concrete), and obesity. In these situations gravity and increased pressure in the abdomen try to force blood back down the leg (retrograde blood flow). Hormonal changes, smoking, and level of fitness can also play roles.

Questions? Please call our Vein Coordinator direct at 541.322.1756.

Aria Home Varicose Veins Spider Veins Treatment Options Vein Treatment FAQ

Events