Chronic Venous Insufficiency
|
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Chronic venous insufficiency refers to that condition resulting from longstanding venous reflux. With venous reflux there is an increased blood pressure within the vein itself. This is called venous hypertension. (Remember, hypertension simply means high blood pressure. By convention this term is used to describe an elevated arterial blood pressure.) With elevated venous blood pressure, the walls of the veins can stretch causing discomfort and enlarged bulgy veins. In addition, tissue fluid, proteins, and red blood cells tend to accumulate in the tissues. This leads to progressive changes in the skin and subcutaneous tissues around the ankle level and above. An early development is swelling (edema). The iron in the hemoblobin molecule (which carries oxygen in the red blood cell) causes brownish discoloration or staining of the tisues termed hyperpigmentation. As the condition progresses, the tissues respond by becoming harder and fibrotic, involving both the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. We call this dermatosclerosis or dermatofibrosclerosis. This can result in constriction of the area above the ankle causing so-called champagne bottle deformity. The fibrosis adversely affects the blood supply to the area, decreasing the amount of oxygen to the cells. Finally, if you bump or scratch the area, a small sore will develop. Because of the above mentioned changes, the body is not able to heal the sore, and it gradually enlarges resulting in an ulcer. There are also significant biochemical changes which occur that also interfere with wound healing. It is at this point, or even 6-9 months later that many patients come to see us. Please! Don't wait! The sooner you come in for a consultation, the sooner the ulcer(s) can be healed. Preferably come in before the ulcer develops!
|
Oregon Vein Center © 2010 - All Rights Reserved
Web Development by Borderland Consulting, Inc.
