Advanced Pathophysiology: Chronic venous insufficiency

Advanced Pathophysiology
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Advanced Pathophysiology
Introduction
In the nursing profession, treatment is offered to patients with disorders of the veins and arteries. It is vital for a nurse to distinguish between the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency from that of the deep venous thrombosis. The pathophysiology of each condition helps in achieving the ultimate treatment required.
Pathophysiology of Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Deep Venous Thrombosis
Chronic venous insufficiency is a disease associated with a variety of symptoms. It has similar complications in its later stage as the leg cancer. According to Santler and Goerge (2017), the pathogenesis of the chronic venous disease is either reflux or obstruction. It could also be a combination of reflux and obstruction. Venous reflux arises from the incompetence of the venous valve, vessel wall inflammation, and venous hypertension. Obstruction comes up due to thrombosis. It may be a deep leg thrombosis or thrombosis of the pelvic vein. Patients with venous ulcers usually have thrombosis and venous reflux.
Deep venous thrombosis occurs due to various factors. According to Stone et al,. (2017), the disease might be caused by vascular injury, venous statis or hypercoagulability. Venuos statis happens to be the lead cause of the disease. However, it cannot cause venous thrombosis on its own. The presence of vascular injury and hyper coagulation increases the chances for thrombosis formation. Venous thrombosis is prevalent in areas with altered or reduced flow of blood.
Similarities and Differences between Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Deep Venous Thrombosis
The differences between Chronic Venous Insufficiency(CVI) and Deep Venous thrombosis (DVT) is that CVI occurs due to a reduction in the flow of blood from the heart to the leg, while DVT occurs due to the formation of a blood clot in the veins. While CVI may be countered through exercises, DVT may require the patients taking in blood thinners medication to prevent the formation of clots. Therefore DVT can be cured while CVI is not. In both cases, lifestyle choices are considered as a leading cause factor. The symptoms of both diseases are similar such as swelling of feet and muscle pain. Increased activity can reduce the symptoms of both diseases.
Advanced Age
An increase in age is a major risk factor in the pathophysiology of CVI and DVT. Various mechanisms might have contributed to the increased risk factor among the old people such as reduced activity, immobility, and continuous increase in the systemic coagulation in the blood. The coagulation in the plasma increases moderately with an advancement in age. Any structural or functional change in the vascular endothelium which comes with aging might lead to the vascular coagulation. Stiffness and dilation of arteries due to advanced age might lead into the occurrence of CVI or DVT. The changes in the body homeostasis may cause advanced age to contribute to the prevalence of CVI or DVT.