Venous and lymphatic diseases

Common venous and lymphatic diseases include chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), varicose veins, and lymphedema, and compression forms a part of the complex treatment program. 

The venous system of the lower limbs consists of an interconnected network of superficial veins, perforator veins, and deep veins, which serve to return blood from body tissues to the heart. Veins have one-way valves that help keep blood flowing toward the heart. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can back up and pool in the veins. This causes the veins to swell and can lead to varicose veins, which are extended and tortuous superficial veins usually of the lower extremity. 

Chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by chronic reflux disorder of blood from the peripheral to the central vein, with subsequent venous hypertension and resulting changes in the skin. Three stages can be used in classification of CVI, characterized as follows. 

Stage 3 Varicosities, edema, skin pigmentation, dermatitis, and ulceration. 

A CEAP classification system is used in German-speaking countries, where C, E, A, and P represent clinical symptoms, etiology, and anatomical and pathological aspects of chronic venous insufficiency. 

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Compression therapy involves the use of external pressure on the human body to treat venous and lymphatic diseases. Because liquids are able to swerve in the vascular system, the external pressure exerted on the body can have an obvious effect upon the tissues which are high in liquid content. In a medical sense, compression pressure is the resulting pressure on the enclosed tissue and embedded blood and lymphatic vessels. It can be generated by means of compression from outside (compression stocking, bandage, etc.), or from inside by the muscle which expands against the resistance of the compression. 

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