Venous Disease
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Problems that occur in the
veins are called “venous disease.” One of the most common
problems is called “varicose veins,” also called “varicoceles.” What
are Varicose Veins?
“Varicose” means “dilated and twisted”-
and that is what varicose veins in the leg look like.
They are
distended with blood that is not flowing through the vein
as it should, but instead forming stagnant pools within the
vein. And the swollen, twisted-looking vein is all too visible,
right on the surface of the leg.
The condition
seldom presents a serious health problem, but for millions
of Americans, varicose veins make the legs feel heavy, tired,
and achy at the end of the day.
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What
causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose
veins occur because valves between the deep and superficial
veins of the leg can no longer do their job.
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When a
valve between the deep system and surface system fails, blood
flows the wrong way. Instead of draining the surface veins,
the deep veins may be pumping some of their blood into them.
Pressure then increases within the surface veins. |
Treatment
of Varicose Veins
Surgery and injections into the veins are the two methods of getting
rid of varicose veins. Surgery to remove varicose veins may be the
best option used to remove segments of other involved veins. The
operation takes less than an hour and is usually performed as “same
day” surgery, although some patients will stay in the hospital
overnight.
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