Veins are an essential part of the human circulatory system and are responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart after the arteries have supplied the tissues with oxygenated blood. While veins play a vital role, like other body parts they can suffer wear and tear, suffer from a variety of conditions and require medical attention from a specialist. Here we take a closer look at the world’s most common vein conditions and the most effective treatments currently available.
Venous Leg Ulcers
A type of leg ulcer brought on by high blood pressure, smoking, blocked arteries, infections and cancer among other causes, venous leg ulcers are painful, and often deep sores that are most common among older people. This common vein condition can quickly become infected and display further symptoms like pus and swelling, and may take a long time to heal, leading to further medical complications. The treatment required to treat venous leg ulcers generally depends on the root cause of the problem and shouldn’t be postponed.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis usually affects the legs and while widely associated with long-distance travel, any factor that prevents the blood from circulating normally can cause this common vein condition. These factors include, but are not limited to:
- Age
- Cancer
- Smoking
- Injuries or surgery
- High blood pressure
- Blood-clotting disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes
- Sitting for long periods of time, like long distance flights.
Due to the high number of factors which can cause deep vein thrombosis, it’s one of the most common vein conditions the world over. The upside of this is that there’s a wealth of information on how to treat deep vein thrombosis and how to minimise the symptoms if you’re at risk of it. However, as it’s an extremely dangerous vein condition and complications can be fatal, it isn’t something to take lightly by any means.
One of the most dangerous complications of deep vein thrombosis is suffering a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening complication for which immediate medical attention should be sought. The signs and symptoms to watch out for include sharp chest pains while breathing in, fainting, dizziness or feeling lightheaded, rapidly increased pulse and coughing up blood. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Varicose Veins
Another of the most common vein conditions, varicose veins aren’t life threatening but they can be painful and as they’re often unsightly, many people also experience a drop in self-esteem that can prevent them from living life to the fullest. Fortunately, there’s a range of effective treatments for varicose veins, including ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and endovenous laser treatment.
In addition to these common vein conditions, another condition we treat at Vein Care is spider veins. We’re one of the leading providers of microsclerotherapy treatments in the Melbourne area, and provide safe and effective treatments for spider veins on the face and legs. Contact your nearest Vein Care clinic at Boronia, Camberwell or Sydenham for further information or give us a call on 1300 568 676.
