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Venous Insufficiency


Picture of venous insufficiency

Illustration copyright 2002, 2003 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

In venous insufficiency, the valves in the veins have become damaged. Theses valves normally keep blood flowing toward the heart. But damaged valves allow some blood to flow backward. This causes the veins to become overfilled. Fluid seeps out of the engorged veins into surrounding tissues. This results in tissue breakdown and venous skin ulcers.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerMargaret Doucette, DO - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wound Care, Hyperbaric Medicine
Last RevisedAugust 31, 2011

eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise

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