Condition Lookup

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Symptoms:
swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in the affected leg, often in the calf or thigh

Root Cause:
Formation of a blood clot in the deep veins, typically of the lower extremities, due to venous stasis, hypercoagulability, or endothelial injury (Virchow's triad).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Doppler ultrasound, D-dimer blood test, and venography (in rare cases).

Treatment:
Anticoagulation therapy, compression stockings, and in some cases, thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy.

Medications:
Anticoagulants such as heparin , warfarin , or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like rivaroxaban and apixaban ; thrombolytics like alteplase in severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1 in 1,000 adults annually; higher in hospitalized or immobile patients.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged immobility, surgery, trauma, cancer, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and genetic clotting disorders (e.g., Factor V Leiden mutation).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely treatment; untreated DVT may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary embolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, and recurrent DVT.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Specialty: Cardiovascular

Category: Vascular Diseases

Sub-category: Venous Disorders

Symptoms:
leg swelling, aching, heaviness; varicose veins; skin discoloration; venous ulcers

Root Cause:
Impaired venous return due to damaged valves in the veins, leading to blood pooling and increased venous pressure.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, Doppler ultrasound, and venography (if necessary).

Treatment:
Compression therapy (stockings), lifestyle modifications (e.g., leg elevation, exercise), and surgical intervention (e.g., vein ablation or stripping) for severe cases.

Medications:
Venoactive drugs such as diosmin or hesperidin to improve venous tone; diuretics for associated edema.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 5-30% of adults, with higher rates in older populations.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged standing or sitting, obesity, pregnancy, age, family history, and history of DVT.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with management; severe cases may lead to chronic pain and ulcers.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Venous ulcers, cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis, and lipodermatosclerosis.

Varicose Veins

Specialty: Cardiovascular

Category: Vascular Diseases

Sub-category: Venous Disorders

Symptoms:
enlarged, twisted veins (usually in the legs), aching, heaviness, swelling, and itching or burning near the affected veins

Root Cause:
Valve dysfunction in superficial veins, causing blood to pool and veins to become distended.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination and Doppler ultrasound to assess venous reflux.

Treatment:
Compression stockings, sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, or surgical removal (vein stripping or phlebectomy).

Medications:
Venoactive drugs like micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) to alleviate symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 25-30% of adults, more common in women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged standing, obesity, pregnancy, family history, and advanced age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good; manageable with treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Superficial thrombophlebitis, skin ulcers, and bleeding from ruptured veins.

Venous Ulcers

Specialty: Cardiovascular

Category: Vascular Diseases

Sub-category: Venous Disorders

Symptoms:
open sores or wounds, usually on the inner side of the lower leg, surrounded by swollen, discolored, or hardened skin.

Root Cause:
Chronic venous insufficiency leading to increased venous pressure and poor wound healing.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, Doppler ultrasound to confirm venous insufficiency, and exclusion of arterial disease.

Treatment:
Compression therapy, wound care with dressings, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, venous surgery to improve blood flow.

Medications:
Topical agents (e.g., antimicrobial creams), pentoxifylline (a vasoactive agent to promote healing), and pain management medications.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1-2% of the population, particularly older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic venous insufficiency, obesity, immobility, and history of DVT.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Healing can be slow; good with proper care but high recurrence rates without addressing underlying venous issues.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and chronic pain.