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What is Chronic Venous?

What is Chronic Venous?

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06 January 2025
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Liv Hospital Ulus
Assoc. Prof. MD. Baran Budak
Vascular Surgery and Varicose Veins Treatment
Article Content
  • What is Chronic Venous?
  • What Causes Varicose Veins?
  • Which Veins Cause Varicose Veins?
  • What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?
  • Is Varicose Veins Genetic?
  • How is varicose veins diagnosed?
  • What Increases Varicose Veins?
  • Does Varicose Veins Cause Restless Leg Syndrome?
  • What Is the Most Common Method of Varicose Vein Treatment?
  • Is It Possible to Stop Varicose Veins?
  • How to Treat Varicose Veins in the Elderly?
  • Varicose veins, which occur with symptoms of prominent veins in the legs, pain, swelling and feeling of heaviness, affect the quality of life of many people. When not treated in the early period, it causes serious problems.


    What is Chronic Venous?

    Chronic venous disease is a condition that occurs when the veins in the legs that carry blood to the heart do not function properly. The most common form of this is varicose veins, which are raised, superficial, enlarged veins in the legs. In advanced stages of the disease, dark discoloration of the skin and wounds at the ankle level may occur.

    What Causes Varicose Veins?

    The veins in the leg carry blood from the foot to the heart. When we stand up or walk, this transport must also be accomplished against gravity. Normal veins have strong vessel walls and valve systems that work in one direction, pushing blood towards the heart and preventing it from escaping back when closed. When the vein wall weakens, its diameter increases, preventing the valves from closing properly and causing blood to leak back. The escaping blood pools in the leg. The exact cause of the change in the vessel wall or valve is unknown, but inflammation and genetics definitely play a role. More rarely, a clot (deep vein thrombosis) that has previously formed in the main vein system can prevent the blood from moving forward and increase its backflow. As a result, the amount of blood and consequently the pressure in the vein increases and the process begins.

    Which Veins Cause Varicose Veins?

    In the leg, there is a superficial vein system that runs between the skin and muscles, a deep vein system that runs within the muscles and bridge veins that connect these two systems. Varicose veins are most commonly caused by a deterioration in the superficial vein system. Varicose veins that appear on the skin are usually branches of the superficial veins. More rarely, a clot in the deep vein system can also cause venous insufficiency.


    What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

    Most commonly, patients complain of visualization and pain. Pain due to venous insufficiency is usually in the form of fullness, restlessness, tension, which increases with constant sitting and constant standing, and is not sharp. Symptoms often worsen after prolonged standing or in the evening. As the patient walks and moves, the patient relaxes and the pain decreases. Muscle cramps typically occur at night. Fatigue and a feeling of heaviness and numbness in the calves may occur. The presence of symptoms of edema, burning, pain, itching and edema indicates that the disease is progressing. In more advanced stages, dark discoloration (increased pigment) and sores may appear at the wrist level.


    Is Varicose Veins Genetic?

    Although there is a genetic basis, nutrition and lifestyle play a major role in the development of varicose veins. Conditions that increase intra-abdominal pressure such as weight, tall height, prolonged constipation-heavy lifting, prolonged standing or sitting for a long time, tight clothes and high heels increase the risk.

    How is varicose veins diagnosed?

    The history given by the patient and physical examination are important. Doppler ultrasonography is used to investigate whether there is an underlying main vascular insufficiency and the vein is mapped. According to Doppler ultrasonography, the questions “Does a patient have chronic venous disease?”, “Is this patient a candidate for intervention?” are answered.

    What Increases Varicose Veins?

    In the studies conducted, especially weight and previous venous obstruction come to the fore. Approximately %30 of people with no clinical symptoms and venous insufficiency detected in doppler studies develop varicose veins within the first 4 years.


    Does Varicose Veins Cause Restless Leg Syndrome?

    The most common cause of restless leg syndrome is varicose veins. It must be investigated in this respect.

    What Is the Most Common Method of Varicose Vein Treatment?

    If you have an advanced insufficiency in the main vein (the great and small saphenous vein) and there is an enlargement in the diameter of the main vein, the only solution is surgery. With modern technology, surgeries can now be performed on a daily basis without general anesthesia and with very small incisions. Thermal (radiofrequency or laser) and adhesive techniques are the most commonly used methods.


    Is It Possible to Stop Varicose Veins?

    Varicose veins progress slowly. In the initial stage, it can be slowed down considerably with measures such as exercises that train the leg muscles and teach the use of diaphragm / abdominal muscles, weight loss, lifting the feet up while resting, medication, use of compression stockings, avoiding constipation, and fiber nutrition. But unfortunately it does not stop completely.

    How to Treat Varicose Veins in the Elderly?

    Around 30% of patients seeking treatment are aged 65 and above. The most challenging situation in these patients is comorbidities such as diabetes, obstructive pulmonary and vascular diseases, cancer, stroke, heart diseases, which are more common in this age group. Thermal or adhesive techniques are considered safe and effective. As always, good planning is essential. However, it is important to remember that advanced age is a risk factor for reopening the closed vessel.

    * Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
    * Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
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