Disorders of the Veins and Arteries (Essay Sample)

Disorders of the Veins and Arteries Institution Date Introduction Disorders of the veins and arteries fall into the category of peripheral vascular diseases which are typically diseases that affect the veins and arteries. The two most common disease of the veins care chronic venous insufficiency which develops from a varicose vein and deep venous thrombosis. In America, varicose vein affects over 25 million people with women twice as likely to be hit by the condition (McCance & Huether, 2014). A varicose vein is a superficial vein in which blood has pooled. Varicose veins are thus caused by trauma to the saphenous veins of the leg and also venous distention (McCance & Huether, 2014). In its chronic state, varicose vein progresses to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) which is the sustained inadequate venous return, venous hypertension, among other causes. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) on the other hand is a situation where a dot forms in the large veins, primarily of the extremities. This may result in venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the pulmonary circulation. According to American Heart Association claim that more than 900,000 cases are reported every year in the United States (McCance & Huether, 2014). Venous states, venous endothelial damage and hypercoagulable states are responsible for the venous thrombosis. This paper seeks to analyze the pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency and deep venous thrombosis and attempt to establish the similarities and differences between the two conditions. It will also look at gender and how it influence the prevalence of both CVI, and DVT. Finally, the last section of the paper will detail a reflection on how I would diagnose, prescribe and treat the disorders based on gender. Discussion Pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency manifests in the form of congenitally weak vein walls dilating under normal pressure to cause secondary valve failure. Increased venous pressure transcend the veins to the capillaries and impede flow, low flow in the capillaries thus cause leukocyte trapping, and the capillary basement is damaged by proteolysis enzymes released by trapped leukocytes (Bergan et al., 2006). Plasma proteins then leak into surrounding tissues forming fibrin cuff which decreases oxygen delivery to tissues resulting in local hypoxia leading to tissue loss. In most cases, the primary point of high-pressure leakage developed between the deep system and the superficial system leads to vein failure. High pressure also lead to secondary valve failure when healthy superficial valves become dilated making it hard for the thin slab of the flaps of the venous veins to make contacts with the lumen of the vessel. This lead to the superficial veins was becoming diluted and tortuous than it is at this point they become varicose veins. The development of deep venous thrombosis is triggered by three factors that are vein damage, activation of blood coagulation and venous stasis. When the flow of blood is slowed, then venous stasis occurs. Hyper coagulation occurs due to a biochemical imbalance between circulating factors (Kahn et al., 2008). External trauma may cause vein damage, or it may result from intrinsic factors. Thrombotic is a homeostatic mechanism where blood coagulates or forms clot, imperative in healing wounds. Enzymes initiate the process by magnifying the effect of trigger factors. Thrombus interaction with endothelium leads to the formation of cytokine which facilitates leukocyte adhesion the endothelium this then result in venous thrombosis. Thrombus propagation thus occurs depending on the relative balance between the activated coagulation and the thrombolysis. Similarities and difference Both conditions are peripheral and are disorders of the veins and artery. While CVI is caused by damage to the valves resulting from pressure both external and internal, which is caused by trauma to the saphenous veins and also pressure exerted by gravity on blood in the legs, DVT is caused by a clot in the veins. This clot results from immobility, obesity, prolonged leg dependency, e.g., air travel and heart failure. Venous endothelial damage caused by trauma and medication and hypercoagulable state inherited disorders, pregnancy, malignancy, contraceptives and hormone replacement. CVI symptoms include swelling of the limb, and it may also feel heavy and painful. The skin around the affected area may darken, and the entire area may develop an open sore. DVT, on the other hand, do not present with symptoms making it hard to detect at early state until it is chronic. However, swelling, pain, redness, or warmth may be exhibited along the vein that has a clot. Disease disorder and gender CVI is mostly common among women than men, this is attributed to women’s body morphology and is most rampant in women who are obese. Most women lead a sedentary lifestyle which means chances of getting a clot is high as compared to men. On the other hand, men who engage in lifestyle activities like smoking increases the chances of having particles in the blood flow which thins the veins thereby weakening them or tearing the veins apart. Pregnancy is another factor that causes CVI; it is also rampant in smoking men and men who live a sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle minimizes action of the cuff muscles on venous return leading to higher venous pressure (Raju, 2005). Studies done indicate housewives at risk of contracting the disease due to their immobile state while men who engage in sedentary work style are also at risk. Few women participate in exercise compare...