Venous Ulcers vs Arterial Ulcers

Nov. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- The two most common types of leg ulcerations are venous ulcers and arterial ulcers. Ulcers are notoriously difficult to heal, so it is best to seek treatment from a specialist immediately if experiencing abnormal leg cramping in Beverly Hills. These wounds, caused by either the veins or the arteries, are painful open sores appearing on the lower extremities. So, what is the difference between venous ulcers and arterial ulcers?

Veins carry deoxygenated blood toward the heart. They lie closer to the surface of the skin than arteries and have one way valves that are responsible for pushing blood upward against gravity.

When the venous valves become damaged, they allow the deoxygenated blood to flow backward and pool in the veins, increasing pressure and stretching the venous walls to create varicose veins. When varicose veins form, blood flow is slowed and tissue damage occurs, which can create symptoms, such as leg cramping in Beverly Hills patients. This damage to the tissues leads to ankle pigmentation and venous ulcer development. The coloring is typically red or brown in appearance, with a significant amount of green or yellow discharge if infected. Of those individuals with leg ulcerations, 70% are the result of venous insufficiencies.

As opposed to veins, arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart, providing nutrients and oxygen for organs and muscles throughout the entire body, including the lower legs.

Arteries run the risk of disease and blockage due to plaque buildup in the arterial walls. Plaque develops from a number of factors, including smoking, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. This buildup causes stenosis, or narrowing of the artery, which slows blood flow and decreases essential oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues linked to that specific artery. As blood flow continues to reduce, there will be an increase in pain and leg cramping in Beverly Hills patients. It becomes difficult to walk, especially uphill, as exercise further reduces blood flow. The tissues then begin to rapidly die and arterial ulcers develop, typically on the feet or toes. The coloring is black, brown, grey or yellow and may become swollen and red if infected.

Both venous and arterial ulcers develop and spread rapidly, so it’s important that affected individuals visit with a vein specialist for immediate care at the first signs of regular leg cramping in Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills Vein and Cardiovascular Institute has been providing quality, life-saving cardiology and vein care for patients across the country. Contact Dr. Madyoon’s office online (http://bhvci.com/cardiologistinlosangeles_contact.html) or by phone at 310-289-9955 ext. 2 to schedule an appointment.

For more information on Beverly Hills Vein and Cardiovascular Institute, please visit the company’s website, at http://bhvci.com/index.html.

About Beverly Hills Vein and Cardiovascular Institute

At Beverly Hills Vein and Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Madyoon uses an unrivaled method that breaks down the cardiovascular system into three parts and employees a comprehensive biochemical analysis of the body, providing you with the most accurate treatment for cardiovascular and venous care.