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Your circulatory system consists of various vessels (i.e., arteries, veins, capillaries) that transport blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout your body, and remove waste from your tissues. Any condition or disorder that impairs this system is known as vascular disease.
As you might imagine, a vast array of circulatory problems fall under this umbrella medical term. At Vascular Vein Centers in Central Florida, our board-certified vascular specialists focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing common venous (vein) problems, including:
Venous disorders frequently affect the lower extremities, causing everything from reduced circulation and visible vein distortions to persistent leg swelling, pain, and heaviness. They can also cause abnormal skin changes that gradually worsen without intervention.
Most forms of vascular disease involve a slowing down or stoppage of blood flow in one or more vessels, usually because of vascular dysfunction, weakening, swelling, hardening, narrowing, or blockage — or some combination of these factors.
In arteries, most forms of vascular disease stem from atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque (fat and cholesterol) deposits that harden and narrow the affected vessel. In veins, most cases of vascular disease stem from weakened or dysfunctional internal valves.
Veins contain one-way valves that keep blood flowing toward your heart. The valves in your leg veins are under greater pressure as they work against gravity; when they weaken, you’re more likely to experience poor lower extremity circulation, blood pooling, swelling, and skin damage. The process unfold in five basic steps:
Essentially, poor circulation, blood pooling, and swelling combine to deprive the overlying skin tissues of the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy. This diminished vascular support leads to dermal tissue damage that causes visible skin changes.
Venous stasis dermatitis is the name of the condition that occurs when vein disease damages your skin tissues. Also known as venous eczema and gravitational dermatitis, this collection of symptoms includes:
Moisture loss is one of the first ways poor circulation affects overlying skin tissues. Early in the course of vein disease, you may notice areas of skin on your legs that feel perpetually dry, itchy, and irritated — and just make you want to scratch.
Over time, areas of dry, itchy skin may change further, giving rise to thick, scaly patches that flake and peel. Such patches are more likely to feel tender or even painful.
Vein disease frequently leads to skin discoloration. On light skin tones, you may notice red or purple areas; on dark skin tones, discoloration may look dark brown or ashen.
Vein disease can lead to the emergence of reddish or orange-brown speckles known as “cayenne pepper spots.” These spots of discoloration appear when increased swelling bursts the tiny capillaries just beneath the skin surface.
As vein disease progresses and skin damage gradually worsens, you may notice thickened areas that look tight and shiny. This is often the precursor stage to open wound formation.
Advanced skin damage from vein disease can culminate in the formation of an open wound called a venous ulcer. These slow-healing sores require expert care.
Skin changes can be an isolated sign of venous disease, but more often, these changes occur alongside other symptoms like inflamed varicose veins and/or leg pain, achiness, heaviness after long stretches of sitting or standing.
If you’ve been experiencing any combination of these symptoms, we can help.
Schedule a visit at your nearest Vascular Vein Centers office in College Park of Orlando, Waterford Lakes of East Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Davenport/Haines City, or The Villages, Florida, today.
