Clinically, we have found that many patients have misconceptions about the causes of venous ulcers. They often think that venous ulcers can only occur because of prolonged standing or sitting, or because of vascular disease in the legs. However, in fact, the chronic inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the development and progression of venous ulcers.
So, how does a chronic inflammatory response lead to venous ulcers?
First, we need to clarify what a chronic inflammatory response is. Chronic inflammation is a persistent, low-grade inflammatory response that differs from acute inflammation, which is usually a rapid response to infection or other stimuli. Chronic inflammatory reactions can last for weeks, months, or even years, and often don't cause noticeable symptoms.
In the case of venous ulcers, the chronic inflammatory response can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Intravenous valve insufficiency: This is the most common cause of venous ulcers. When the valves in the veins don't close properly, blood flows backwards, causing venous hypertension in the lower extremities. This high pressure can cause damage to the walls of blood vessels and surrounding tissues, triggering an inflammatory response.
Obstruction of venous blood return: Factors such as prolonged standing, sedentary or obesity may cause venous blood return to the lower extremities to be blocked, triggering increased intravenous pressure. This increase in pressure damages the walls of blood vessels, activating an inflammatory response.
Oxidative stress: Veins that have been under high pressure for a long time are attacked by oxidative stress, producing a large number of free radicals. These free radicals can damage the walls of blood vessels, triggering an inflammatory response.
Immune response: Venous hypertension in the lower extremities can cause immune cells to build up in damaged blood vessel walls and surrounding tissues, triggering an immune response. This response produces a large number of inflammatory mediators, further exacerbating the inflammatory response.
Once the chronic inflammatory response is triggered, it creates a vicious cycle that exacerbates the symptoms of venous ulcers and slows or even stalls the healing process. Long-term inflammation can also lead to fibrosis and hardening of the blood vessel wall, which will gradually expand the ulcer area and further worsen the condition.
Therefore, for venous ulcers, we need to take comprehensive measures, not only to solve the problem of intravenous valve function and venous hypertension of the lower extremities, but also to control the chronic inflammatory response. This includes:
Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding long periods of standing and sitting, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Medications**: such as the use of anticoagulant drugs, antioxidant drugs, immunomodulatory drugs, etc., to reduce inflammation and improve the damage of blood vessel walls.
Surgery**: For severe venous ulcers, surgery** such as valve repair, high ligation, etc., may be required to improve venous hypertension in the lower extremities.
In conclusion, the chronic inflammatory response plays a key role in the development and progression of venous ulcers. Only by understanding this mechanism can we better prevent venous ulcers and help patients get rid of the pain.