Pittsburgh Vein Center

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Vein Disease Information

The underlying cause for all conditions is chronic venous insufficiency when the leg veins do not allow blood to travel back to the heart. (Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood to the heart).

Problems with valves in the veins can cause the blood to flow both directions, not just toward the heart. These valves that are not working properly can cause blood in the legs to pool. If chronic venous insufficiency is left untreated, pain, swelling, and leg ulcers may result.

When functioning normally, veins push blood towards the heart when a person is sitting or standing in order to re-oxygenate the blood. When these veins are not working properly, the veins do not close completely when pushing the blood up which causes the blood to pool and the vein to stretch. This causes the veins to bulge and results in many unpleasant side effects such as:

Heredity is a primary factor in over 80% of varicose vein cases. Other contributing factors may include pregnancy, obesity, hormone therapy, standing or sitting for long periods of time and injury.

Spider Veins, also called Telangiectasia in the legs is often related to the presence of venous hypertension within underlying varicose veins. Spider veins are tiny red or purple dilated blood vessels that form when veins become enlarged and swollen with stagnant blood. They are often darker and more noticeable than varicose veins. Although these surface veins are mainly a cosmetic problem, they can also be an indication of more serious vein disease deep below the surface.

More common in women, spider veins may be triggered by pregnancy or hormonal variations and sometimes cause minor aches and itching. Non-symptomatic spider veins may be found on the face and chest as well as the legs.

An incurable debilitating condition that affects 170 million people worldwide, Lymphedema can be a result of genetic abnormalities, infection, surgery, radiation or traumatic injury. Lymphedema is a condition in which lymphatic fluid collects and causes swelling. When this fluid cannot drain from the effected part of the body, the skin may break and cause painful ulcerations.

Ulcerations are a result of a breakdown of the skin and are classified based upon their depth and their cause.

Ulcerations are commonly due to diabetes, poor circulation, and varicose veins. As the circulation gets worse, the skin begins to thin and is less resistant to pressure and friction forces. Spontaneous break down of the skin can occur. These ulcerations tend to be painful, with a whitish or light-pinkish base. Restoring normal blood flow to the ulcerated area is crucial to restoring health to the damaged area.

Spider veins may appear on the face and neck as a result of stagnant blood in the vessels surrounding the eyes, on the cheeks and around the neck. While this is usually a cosmetic concern, The Pittsburgh Vein Center offers a treatment to effectively remove these unsightly veins.

Rope-like veins in the hands can sometimes cause bruising and pain. People often complain that they are a sign of aging. Although these veins usually do not pose a health risk, they can be easily treated.