Not Just in the Tummy: What is...
Most people are not aware what leg ulcers are, but for patients suffering from the disease, the struggle is too real. In most cases, the extreme pain, itch, and swelling affect how they live life.
A leg ulcer is a tear in the skin on the leg that causes air and bacteria to get into the inner tissue. It takes too long to cure, but in some cases, it never heals. It grows bigger in size, a condition classified as chronic leg ulcer.
Causes of Leg Ulcers
The most common cause of chronic leg ulcers is venous disease. Medical technology developers from Veniti say that vein problems cause almost 80% of leg ulcers. Arterial disease is also a major cause. Problems in the arteries cause 15% of leg ulcer cases. Although rare, arthritis and diabetes can also trigger the problem.
Medical practitioners say that sometimes, two or more health problems may be the cause of leg ulcers. Doctors run some check-ups to assess exactly what kind of ulcer a patient has.
Venous Disease, the Number One Cause
The veins in the legs transport blood back from the foot to the heart. These tubes have a one-way valve to keep the blood flowing up the leg and not back down. In some cases, the valves are not functioning well or blood clots form in the vessels. When this happens, the blood goes the wrong way, leading to increased blood pressure in the vessels. Because of this pressure, the veins make the skin swell and thicken, causing the leg ulcers.
Treatment for Leg Ulcers
The key to treating venous leg ulcers is managing high blood pressure in the veins in the legs. Most medical practitioners recommend using compression bandaging or stockings and lifting the limbs.
• Compression bandaging
Often, nurses use 2-4 layers of bandages over a dressing. When they put bandages, more pressure is applied at the ankle and less at the knee and thigh. When the ulcer is treated, some patients still use compression stockings to keep leg ulcers from coming back.
• Lifting the limbs
Medical practitioners explain that the higher the leg, the lower the pressure in the vessels. They recommend lifting the legs when you’re resting in bed. You can do this by say, stacking books at the lower part of the bed, so when you’re resting, your feet are raised.
Of course, the best way to find the most effective treatment for ulcers is to consult your doctor. Talk to your physician so you’ll know which treatments will work best for your condition.
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