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Varicose Veins
Alternate Names : Varicosis, Varicosity
Definition Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins resulting from poorly functioning valves.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
In normal veins, valves in the vein keep blood moving forward toward the heart. With varicose veins, the valves do not function properly, allowing blood to remain in the vein. Pooling of blood in a vein causes it to enlarge.
This process usually occurs in the veins of the legs, although it may occur elsewhere. Varicose veins are common, affecting mostly women.
Causes include congenitally defective valves, thrombophlebitis, and pregnancy. Prolonged standing and increased pressure within the abdomen may increase susceptibility to the development of varicose veins or aggravate the condition.
Primary varicose veins occur because of congenitally defective valves, or without a known cause. Secondary varicose veins occur because of another condition, such as occurs when a pregnant woman develops varicose veins.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Varicose Veins Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Varicose Veins Symptoms & Signs
• Varicose Veins Prevention
• Varicose Veins Diagnosis & Tests
• Varicose Veins Treatment
• Varicose Veins Prognosis
• Varicose Veins Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Stasis Dermatitis
• Thrombophlebitis
Tests & Exams
• Arteriogram
• Duplex/Doppler Ultrasound Exam of Extremity, Vascular Ultrasound
Surgery & Procedures
• Varicose Vein Surgery
Other Topics
• Chronic
• Fever
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling
• Leg Pain
• Ulcers
Review Date : 5/23/2003
Reviewed By : David Webner, M.D., Department of Family Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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