Venous Disorders
Venous disorders develop when insufficient physical activity causes the thin vein walls alone to be unable to return blood from the veins to the heart against the force of gravity. Venous blood is returned to the heart with the coordinated action of muscles and venous valves.
Insufficient physical activity reduces or eliminates the muscle’s pumping effect on the vein walls, making it difficult for blood to flow back toward the heart. This, along with damage to the vein walls, leads to valve insufficiency, which is referred to as a circulatory disorder.
When a circulatory disorder develops, venous pressure rises significantly, the thin vein wall lacks sufficient support from weak connective (muscle) tissue, and varicose veins form (risk factors: insufficient physical activity, overweight, unilateral strain, pregnancy). Pathological varicose veins cause the valves to close incompletely, resulting in venous congestion. These abnormal flow conditions increase venous pressure, further damaging the vein walls.
Damage to the vein walls and the presence of venous circulatory disorders over a prolonged period lead to the clinical symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. These include:
- the “heavy leg” characteristic of venous congestion,
- pain in the limb,
- muscle cramps,
- varicose veins,
- leg ulcer.
Treatment of circulatory disorders
Treatment aimed at relieving venous congestion may involve a combination of different methods. Based on individual assessment, surgical intervention may also be considered, complemented by medication. However, the foundational therapy in all cases is compression treatment, which is most effective and convenient when using compression stockings regularly.
The appropriate pressure exerted externally by the stocking acts on the connective tissue, which in turn compresses the thin vein wall, narrowing the abnormally dilated vein. This eliminates valve insufficiency, allows the muscle pump to function effectively, and ensures blood flow toward the heart.