This is a question that I’m getting more and more with patients that I see at the San Diego Vein Institute.  The answer to the question is, “no, they aren’t the same.”  However, varicose veins can be painful in and of themselves and the National Center for Biotechnology Information published a study which concluded that there is a strong association between patients with varicose veins and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT).  While varicose veins have not been shown to cause DVTs they are both forms of venous disease that we commonly treat at the San Diego Vein Institute.

If you’re not familiar with deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot that forms in a vein that runs deep inside a leg or arm. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is its most serious — and often deadly — complication. One or both strike upwards of 600,000 Americans a year, killing at least 100,000. That’s as many deaths as caused by breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. And one-third of the survivors are left with long-term health problems.  DVTs and pulmonary embolism are not “cosmetic” issues but rather serious medical conditions.

For some of you reading this it might be the first time you’ve ever heard of deep-vein thrombosis.  Well, you’re not alone, the American Public Health Association found that barely 25% of adults were aware of the disease, and even fewer knew its symptoms. Those of you have heard of it might know it by its name in the press:  “economy class syndrome.”  This inaccurate nickname came about from a tiny minority of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism cases stemming from airline travel.  The real causes tend to be immobilization, injury, and clotting disorders.

One of the big problems with detecting the presence of a deep-vein thrombosis is that most people aren’t familiar with the warning signs: pain or tenderness in a leg or arm that gets worse over time; swelling in one leg or arm; discoloration (reddish or bluish) in the skin of one leg or arm; a limb feels warm to the touch.

So what do you do if you have these symptoms?  The answer is that you should see a doctor quickly.  Again, DVTs aren’t a “cosmetic” issues that you can afford to take your time with, rather they are pressing health concerns.  Modern medicine has many quick tests for DVTs, the most common of which are ultrasounds and venograms.  At the San Diego Vein Institute we often have patients referred to us by family doctors when symptoms are present.  If you think or have been diagnose with DVTs please see your family doctor of a vein specialist, such as the San Diego Vein Institute.  Hopefully it will be nothing but you’re better off checking and avoiding the risks associated with DVTs and pulmonary embolisms.  If you have been treated in the past for either condition realize that about one-third of people who have a deep-vein thrombosis have another within 10 years.

Let’s work together to raise awareness and ensure we have a happy and healthy population here in San Diego.