Venous disease
Diseases of the veins range from spider veins and varicose veins to thrombosis and pelvic congestion. They are very common: in the international Vein Consult programme, more than 8 in 10 people seen in general practice had some symptom or sign of chronic venous disease.
How the leg veins work
The veins return blood to the heart against gravity. They achieve this thanks to valves that only allow blood to flow upwards and to the pumping of the calf muscles when walking, which act as a “second heart”. When the valves fail or the vein becomes blocked, blood stagnates, pressure rises and symptoms appear.
Common symptoms
- Heaviness, tiredness and leg pain that worsen in hot weather and at the end of the day.
- Ankle swelling.
- Cramps, itching and restless legs at night.
- Spider veins and varicose veins.
- Skin changes and ulcers in advanced stages.
How I investigate them
Physical examination and venous duplex ultrasound are the basis of diagnosis, as recommended by the European guidelines. They show which veins are failing and allow a tailored treatment plan, from general measures to minimally invasive techniques.
In this section
Varicose veins and venous insufficiencyCauses, symptoms, classification and treatments.
Spider veinsSclerotherapy and laser for small visible veins.
Deep vein thrombosisHow to recognise it, treat it and prevent after-effects.
Pelvic congestionInternal varicose veins causing chronic pelvic pain.
May-Thurner syndromeCompression of the left iliac vein.
Videos on this topic (in Spanish)
References
- Rabe E, Guex JJ, Puskas A, et al. Epidemiology of chronic venous disorders in geographically diverse populations: results from the Vein Consult Program. Int Angiol. 2012;31(2):105-115.
- De Maeseneer MG, Kakkos SK, Aherne T, et al. European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2022 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Venous Disease of the Lower Limbs. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2022;63(2):184-267.
Patient information reviewed by Dr Óscar Merino, vascular surgeon. It does not replace an individual medical assessment.
Would you like an assessment?
Consultation with duplex ultrasound at Clínica Rotger, in the centre of Palma.
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