Understanding Venous Reflux the Cause of Varicose Veins and Venous Leg Ulcers

This book has been written for two groups of people. The first is for healthcare professionals who either are treating people with venous problems or who wish to do so. The second is for members of the general public who want to understand more about the cause of varicose veins, thread veins of the legs and other venous conditions such as venous leg ulcers. After all, these conditions will affect almost half the population at some stage in their lives and currently is treated by a variety of people in a variety of ways - with very different outcomes. In order to make sure they or their loved ones get the best treatment, a good basic understanding of the problem by the healthcare professional is essential - and the ability to ask informed questions can often help to make sensible choices as to treatment options. Although one would expect qualified people to have a very thorough understanding of their subject, research in varicose veins and venous reflux disease (or venous incompetence) has progressed at a rapid rate over the last decade or so. This, coupled with the unfortunate and incorrect view of a great many people both inside and outside healthcare that varicose veins are "only cosmetic", has meant that there is very little pressure on the majority of people who treat veins to keep up with the research and our new understanding of venous physiology. Since 1999, I have been running courses to teach healthcare professionals how to treat varicose veins, thread veins and other venous conditions such as venous eczema and leg ulcers. During that time, it has amazed me that none of the professionals coming on my courses - whether surgeons, other doctors, nurses, beauty therapists or dentists - have been able to answer all of the simple questions that I pose about how veins work and the consequences of the valves failing in different veins. Although they all know that the basic problem is that the "valves aren't working", the problems that result from this and how it affects the legs seem something of a mystery to them. As understanding this is essential to good venous treatment, this is clearly very worrying. I have written this book in a very simple style, that should be very easy to follow, much in the way that I teach on my courses. My understanding of varicose veins and venous reflux disorders has been amalgamated from my own research and experience, coupled with a large number of other influences learned from reading research papers and listening to research presentations from other research units. I have not attempted to reference any of these, as to try and find all of the influences that have contributed to my understanding of this subject over the last 20 years would be impossible. I hope that this resulting book will take the reader through this fascinating subject and give them a deeper understanding of this very common problem. If by doing so this book helps healthcare professionals to understand their subject deeper and therefore review their treatment strategies, and helps members of the general public to understand what might be going on in their own legs or the legs of their friends and relatives in order that they may ask relevant questions of proposed treatments, then it has served its purpose.

Varicose veins and venous leg ulcers are usually caused by venous reflux. This occurs when valves in the veins fail. This concise book with 51 diagrams, written by an internationally recognised expert in venous disease, helps the reader to understand this complicated medical condition. Suitable for anyone interested in varicose veins or leg ulcers.Almost 1 in 2 people suffer from problems with leg veins - so if you don't have them then someone close to you will. Venous reflux (the major cause of leg vein problems) can cause tired or aching legs, swollen or itchy ankles. Many people suffering from venous reflux are unaware of the problem, until they develop unsightly varicose veins, thread veins, venous eczema or venous leg ulcers. Many doctors and nurses are not aware of the new information available and still treat their patients inappropriately with creams, bandages or support stockings. "Understanding Venous Reflux - the cause of varicose veins and leg ulcers" has been written by Mark Whiteley, an internationally renowned vein expert. With clear explanations, illustrated by over 50 easy-to-follow diagrams, this book makes the understanding of venous reflux - the underlying cause of varicose veins and most venous problems (such as thread veins, venous leg ulcers, venous eczema, discoloured ankles, etc.) - accessible to most readers, helping them decide on what treatment they should seek. For medical and nursing students, as well as all doctors, nurses and other health care workers who deal with legs and leg vein problems, this is an essential text.