1604 Lamons Lane , Suite 202, Johnson City TN 37604

Venous Ulcers Treatment in Johnson City, TN

Venous Ulcers Treatment Johnson City, TN

Your optimal health relies on blood vessels called veins to circulate blood throughout the body to your different organs to support their various functions. When blood flow is cut off, various health risks may follow. When your body cannot effectively send blood from the legs back to the heart, a condition known as venous insufficiency may ensue, in which weakened vein walls and valves result in veins staying filled with blood (especially when you are standing). Venous skin ulcers, frequently called simply venous ulcers or stasis leg ulcers, are wounds that develop, as the result of venous insufficiency, on the sides of the lower leg, above the ankle and below the calf. There are two types of venous ulcer:

  • Atrial skin ulcer: Less common, these venous skin ulcers present in patients with artery disease (and sometimes in combination with a venous disease), and cause extreme pain, usually affecting the toes and feet.
  • Neuropathic skin ulcer: Also known as diabetic neuropathic ulcers, these venous ulcers occur in patients with little to no sensation in their feet due to diabetic nerve damage.

Venous ulcers are slow to heal, coming back if not effectively treated. If not treated, increased pressure and excess fluid in the affected areas can lead to open sores forming, which can be painful and increase the risk of infection.

Meeting with a healthcare provider who can address your venous ulcers, their cause and provide personalized treatment is an essential step toward returning your quality of life. Schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider in Johnson City that specializes in venous ulcers treatment. Call (423) 482-8711 or contact AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center online.

Venous Ulcers Causes

Venous skin ulcers occur as the result of poor blood circulation from the legs, commonly as the result of venous insufficiency. Risk factors of venous skin ulcers include:

  • Deep vein thrombosis, a condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in the deep veins of the legs
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Excessive standing

Venous Ulcers Signs and Symptoms

Early signs of venous ulcers could include:

  • Leg swelling, heaviness and cramping
  • Hardened skin that is dark red, purple or brown in appearance (a sign that blood is pooling)
  • Itching and tingling sensations

Darkened or purpled skin over the area where the blood is leaking out of the vein could indicate blood pooling consistent with venous ulcers. The skin might also change, becoming dry, thin and itchy (stasis dermatitis), an early sign of venous insufficiency.

Venous Ulcers Treatment

If you're suffering from venous ulcers, your healthcare provider will take steps to improve your blood circulation. This can include at-home care such as wearing compression socks or bandages to help prevent blood pooling in your legs, and walking daily to further improve blood circulation. To help your ulcers heal, your healthcare provider may need to remove dead tissue from the wound (debridement).

For serious cases of venous ulcers that don't heal, your healthcare provider will likely assess your overall veins' health to get to the root source of what's causing the venous ulcers. These abnormal veins will be treated in order to prevent the recurrence of venous ulcers. Skin grafting may be needed for deep or hard-to-reach ulcers, while vein surgery can ensure that ulcers don't recur.

To ensure venous ulcers don't occur, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising and managing your health conditions (such as diabetes and blood pressure conditions which could increase your risk of venous ulcers) can help reduce your chance of developing them. If, however, you've already began developing venous ulcers, it is important to meet with a healthcare provider who is trained to treat them effectively. Schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider in Johnson City that specializes in venous ulcers treatment. Call (423) 482-8711 or contact AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center online.

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Hours and Directions
AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center
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Address

1604 Lamons Lane
Suite 202
Johnson City, TN 37604
(423) 482-8711
www.awaremed.com

Hours

Mon: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tue: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Areas We Service:

Asheville, NC, Granite Falls, NC, Hudson, NC, Lenoir, NC, Hickory, NC, Boone, NC, North Wilkesboro, NC, Wilkesboro, NC, Greenville, SC, Morristown, TN, Knoxville, TN, Gatlinburg, TN, Kingsport, TN, Bristol, VA, Abingdon, VA