Studies in Germany have shown that only about 20 to 50 percent are vein healthy, 25 to 50 percent have mild varicose veins (varicosis), ten to 15 percent have advanced varicosis, five to 15 percent have severe varicosis, and one to four percent have a lower leg ulcer (ulcus crusis) caused by chronic venous insufficiency. These figures are alarming. Nevertheless, spider veins and varicose veins are often still misjudged as a cosmetic problem. And not only by those affected, but also by many physicians.
Standing and sitting for long periods are poison for the veins
Vein diseases, according to Dr. Michael Hutter of the Braunschweig Vein Center, are in absolute need of therapy, as they are often chronic. The typical vein patient complains especially of heavy legs, swelling in both lower legs, tension and pulling pain, nighttime calf cramps, and restless legs. These symptoms are aggravated by prolonged sitting or standing, in heat, and before or during menstruation.
Leg veins are particularly affected
Patients with veins particularly often suffer from varicosis of the leg veins. Here, a distinction is made between primary and secondary varicosis. Primary varicosis is a hereditary venous disease. Frequently, these hereditary factors are reinforced by external influences. The most important hereditary risk is connective tissue weakness, which often runs in families.
Negative influencing factors include: lack of exercise, prolonged sitting, frequent standing for long periods of time, wearing the wrong clothing and unfavorable footwear. Overweight as well as chronic constipation and a frequent number of pregnancies. In this process, the veins lose their elastic wall property, which leads to an expansion in length and diameter in the sense of a varicose vein.
In secondary varicosis, the causes of this widening are mainly occlusions in the superficial or deep veins. Inflammatory vein diseases include superficial thrombophlebitis. This is an inflammation of the superficial veins due to various causes, for example, toxic wall damage, carcinomas, due to allergies and infections or blood poisoning.
However, one of the most dangerous venous diseases is deep vein thrombosis, especially because of the risk of pulmonary embolism. More than six percent of patients with venous leg disorders suffer from chronic reflux congestion of the lower extremity (postthrombotic syndrome). Essential for the development of a thrombosis are the wall characteristics of the veins as well as the flow and clotting factors. Thrombosis is particularly common after wall injury and slowing of blood flow, for example, by immobilization of the patient.
“Vein Health Initiative”
Dedicated physicians and scientists have founded the “Vein Health Initiative.” The common goal is to better educate physicians and those affected about the diseases of the venous system and to provide tips for practical application. In treatment, the complexity of venous disease requires an interdisciplinary therapy concept. The instruments range from surgical intervention, especially in cases of major vascular damage, to a broad conservative spectrum.
Compression treatment is considered the “pillar of venous therapy“. It is useful in all stages of the disease, but carries the risk of insufficient willingness of the patient to cooperate in diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Therefore, particularly intensive care is needed for vein patients, as the psychosocial factors of this disease must also be taken into account.
Exercise tops the list
Crucial to the success of therapy is the patient’s motivation to cooperate. Exercise is paramount; regular venous gymnastics and plenty of walking strengthen the leg muscles and promote the venous muscle pump. Vein fitness is of course not only treatment, but above all prevention of venous disorders.
