Your veins are part of the complicated highway of blood vessels that move blood throughout your body. Generally, veins have the vital job of returning oxygen-depleted blood to your heart. The heart pumps blood into the lungs, picking up oxygen again. 

Vein conditions, or venous disease, happen when your veins have trouble returning blood to the heart. 

Looking at the back of your hand, you can see and feel your veins. They're thin, flexible tubes through which blood flows. When all works as it should, your veins have flaps that open and close to allow this blood to flow and to keep it moving toward the heart. 

With venous disease, sometimes the valves don't close properly. Blood can leak or flow in ways it shouldn't. This is what causes varicose veins, for example. However, issues with your veins can cause many other problems, including blood clots.

Vein-related health issues usually affect your legs. This is because the veins in your legs work against gravity to bring blood to your heart. Standing can also put pressure on your leg veins. 

The main types of vein conditions are: 

• Blood clots: You can develop a blood clot in any vein if the blood isn't moving well. If the clot develops in the superficial veins at the surface of your skin, it may not be very serious.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): It can be dangerous if blood clots develop in deeper veins, like the leg or an organ. The blood clot can break free and travel to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. This is a life-threatening condition that needs treatment right away.
• Chronic venous insufficiency: This is a condition where your veins don't drain as they should. It causes blood to pool in your legs.
• Varicose veins: These are bulging, spider-like veins in your legs, just under your skin. Varicose veins happen because of weak or damaged valves in your veins.
• Leg ulcers: These are open sores that have trouble healing. They happen because of poor blood flow in the legs. 

What causes vein problems? 

Factors that doctors know contribute to venous disease include: 

• Being a woman
• Pregnancy
• Standing for long periods, for example, jobs that keep you on your feet
• Family history of vein conditions, especially varicose veins
• Smoking 

Not all venous diseases have symptoms. It's helpful to know what signs to watch out for and when to seek care.

Blood clot and deep vein thrombosis symptoms 

A blood clot can feel like pain and tenderness in a specific area.  

It can cause: 

• Feeling of a cramp or an ache
• Swelling in one leg (for DVT)
• Redness and skin sensitive to the touch

Pulmonary embolism symptoms 

If a blood clot breaks free and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism. This is a medical emergency.  

Call 911 if you have: 

• Swelling in your legs, with trouble breathing
• Sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Coughing, sometimes with blood
• Rapid heartbeat
• Clammy skin

Varicose veins symptoms 

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that can turn dark shades of blue and purple. Not everyone with varicose veins has symptoms.  

But some people may have: 

• Aching, heaviness and discomfort in legs when standing too long
• Itchy skin or rashes around the veins
• Skin ulcers 

Your symptoms may worsen throughout the day but get better when you elevate your legs.

When you see a Carilion vascular specialist, they'll assess your vein condition. They may order imaging and other tests. 

Treatments can include: 

• Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, exercising more and eating healthier can help with some vein conditions.
• Wearing compression stockings: Compression stockings fit tightly and go up to your knee. Compression therapy helps improve the blood flow in your legs.
• Medicine: Your doctor may prescribe blood thinners to prevent blood clots. (They may also use clot-busting drugs in emergencies.)
• Wound care: Your doctor may refer you to a wound healing specialist for leg ulcers that won't heal. Wound specialists use special techniques to encourage healing.
• Thrombectomy: This procedure removes a blood clot from a vein. It can help prevent pulmonary embolism. Our vascular surgeons have minimally invasive ways to perform thrombectomies.
• Vein ablation: This is a way to destroy varicose veins with lasers and heat.
• Vein surgery: Some people may need surgery to treat their varicose veins, venous insufficiency or DVT. Vascular surgeons do these surgeries. Learn more about ​​vascular surgery at Carilion.