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WHAT IS VENOUS DISEASE?
Defective venous valves
In patients with venous disease, the internal walls of the leg veins are deteriorated and the small valves are defective or incompetent. When a valve is incompetent, blood flows backward to the foot and from the deep veins to the superficial veins. It is called reflux. When valves are incompetent in the superficial veins only, the deep veins have to carry more blood toward the heart. To compensate, the veins expand and the valves may not close anymore. When this happens, such as in the case of severe varicose veins, the deep vein system may become incompetent also. When blood is no longer pumped effectively from the lower leg, the peripheral veins will not be emptied even when walking. They remain filled with blood and the pressure in the vein will not reduce. This condition is known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) which may result in oedema (swelling), skin change and in some cases ulcerations.	Defective valves in chronic venous disease
Origins of venous disease
The causes of venous disease are not clearly identified yet. However, we know that heredity factors play an important role : if both parents have the disease, there is a 90% chance of developing a venous disorder. In addition to heredity, there are other factors to consider such as : age gender excessive weight pregnancy hormonal treatments professions requiring prolonged standing or sitting The most important condition leading to chronic venous insufficiency is thrombosis as valves are destroyed when the vessel is cleared from the clots.
Varicose veins - a common case of venous disorder
Varicose veins are one of the most common examples of venous disease in the legs. The vein is swollen and twisted. The small anti-reflux valves are defective and the venous stasis creates a swelling of the skin. If not treated, varicose veins can lead to the aggravation of the disease. see Venous Disorders	-- Varicose veins
Did you know.....
Giraffes do not suffer from venous disorders because their very thick skin exerts a natural compression that prevents varicosis!
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