How common is venous disease?
Vein disorders are extremely common. Some scholarly studies estimate that as many as 56% of men and 60% women have some forms of venous disorder, although generally it is estimated to be around 10-30% in western countries. People in western societies also tend to be more susceptible to developing vein conditions, presumably due to their lifestyle, diet, and (lack of) physical activity.
The symptoms of vein disorders can range from cosmetic to significant disability. These can lead to significant issues in lifestyle satisfaction, economic losses, and functional disability. Furthermore, about 1-2% of the general adult population suffer from severe skin breakdown and ulcers. These ulcers can take months or even years to heal, resulting in high healthcare costs and significant burden to a productive life. In fact, venous diseases and ulcers constitute one of the highest expenditures for U.S Medicare.
What are the symptoms of venous disease?
As mentioned above, vein problems can contribute to minor to very serious symptoms. Some patients may only have cosmetic concerns and want to look better, while others may have serious wounds in the legs. Many people fall in-between, with symptoms of pain and discomfort in the legs. Below are some common findings:
- Burning or itching in the areas of varicose veins
- Throbbing and aching of the legs
- Heavy sensation in the legs
- Fatigue in the legs
- Swelling around the legs and ankles
- The feeling of restlessness
- Hard spots or cords (clotting) of varicose veins
- Skin discoloration around the ankles and calves
- Skin breakdown and ulcerations
- Poor appearance of abnormal veins
Specific Vein Conditions
Venous disease can range from small spider veins to large varicose veins and serious swelling and venous ulcers. We have broken them down to a few topics to help you understand them.