Venous Disorders

Ateriosclerosis

Varicose Veins

General Causes

Pathophysiology

Definition

Signs And Symptoms

Arteriosclerosis is the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries.

Facial or Lower limb numbness

Sudden weakness

Difficulty understanding speech

Confusion

The lesions of arteriosclerosis begin as the intima (innermost layer of blood vessel wall) of the arterial wall start to fill up with the deposition of cellular wastes. As these start to mature, they can take different forms of arteriosclerosis. All are linked through common features such as the stiffening of arterial vessels, thickening of arterial walls and degenerative nature of the disease.

Signs And Symptoms

Diagnosis

General Causes

Definition

Treatment

High cholesterol

High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood


Insulin resistance, obesity or diabetes

High blood pressure

Smoking and other sources of tobacco

Risk Factors

A family history of early heart disease

Lack of exercise

Obesity

An unhealthy diet

Diabetes

Treatment

Anti-platelet medications

Beta blocker medications.

Cholesterol medications

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Calcium channel blockers

Water pills (diuretics).

Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins, often appearing blue or dark purple.

phlebitis (inflammation of the veins)

blood clots or any obstruction to blood flow in the veins

congenital abnormalities of the veins.

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Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time

Itching around one or more of your veins

Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs

An achy or heavy feeling in your legs

Skin discoloration around a varicose vein

Risk factors

family history of varicose veins

menopause

standing for long periods

obesity

being aged over 50

Avoid standing for extended periods of time.

Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Exercise to improve your circulation.

Use compression socks or stockings.

Prevention

Elevate your legs.

Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.

Watch your weight and your diet.

Exercise.

Diagnosis

Cardiac catheterization and angiogram.

Doppler ultrasound.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Ankle-brachial index.

Blood tests.

physical exam

ultrasound

noninvasive test

The transducer