Archive for 'Phlebology Frequently Asked Questions'

From time to time we receive vein patients with the venous reflux condition. What does venous reflux or venous incompetence mean and how is it diagnosed?

Venous Reflux is Backward Flowing Blood Circulation

Venous Reflux or Venous Incompetence occurs when the valves in the leg veins are not closing properly. When someone stands up, gravity forces the blood in the leg veins down toward the foot. The little valves in the leg veins close when the pressure becomes high and prevents blood ...

From time to time we have patients asking us about leg veins removal in relation to coronary artery surgery. The question can go like this: “My doctor told me not to remove my leg veins because i may need them later in life for a coronary bypass operation, is this true?”

Let a Heart Surgeon answer your Leg Veins Removal question

Luckily for us, my being a physician who is board certified ...

A skin ulcer is caused by a venous reflux disorder that is called a venous stasis ulcer. Early signs that a venous stasis ulcer may develop include a darkening of the skin in the area of the ankle. Gradually, the skin may become leathery or waxy in appearance. 
Without treatment of the venous disease, the skin may breakdown and bleeding may occur.

The abnormal limb or limbs should be treated thoroughly for best results. They may be treated at the same time or after one another.

The backward flow of blood in varicose veins and main superficial trunks, the great saphenous vein (GSV) and lesser saphenous (LSV) vein actually interfere with the normal venous return of blood. Removal of these areas of abnormal circulation actually improves circulation of blood in the treated limb. It is this improvement in limb circulation that causes improvement of symptoms of tiredness and heaviness in the limb.

Increase in the diameter of a vein results in the malfunction of valves inside of the vein that are designed to prevent blood from flowing backward in the vein. An inherited weakness of the vein wall (genetic) and circulating hormones that relax the smooth muscle of the vein wall are the most common causes. Females have high levels of such a hormone, the hormone progesterone. Pregnancies, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, the use of female oral contraceptives as well as occupations ...

A Phlebologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disorders.

Varicose veins are a problem that can be successfully treated but the disorder cannot be permanently cured. The treatment of the abnormal veins does not remove the original tendency of a patient to develop varicose veins. Therefore, many patients need to return for maintenance treatments after their initial treatment is completed.

Varicose Veins are veins that become abnormally swollen and large, usually due to defective valves in the vein. Varicose veins are sometimes bluish in color, protrude from the surface of the skin, and frequently have a winding or worm-like appearance.

Phlebology is the branch of medicine that deals with veins and disease of veins.