What Are Varicose Veins (Venous Insufficiency)?
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Varicose Veins are the dilated, twisted blood vessels that do not control blood flow as they should. Varicose veins are not spider veins and they are NOT considered only cosmetic.
Unlike varicose veins, healthy leg veins have valves that keep blood flowing to the heart. Venous insufficiency develops when the valves stop working properly and allow blood to flow backward (i.e. reflux) and pool in the lower leg veins. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time. Venous insufficiency is a medical condition and is recognized by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers as a medical condition. |
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Chronic Venous Insufficiency Progression
Chronic venous Insufficiency doesn't only show up as varicose veins, It can progress as seen in this picture to include chronic swelling, skin color and tone changes and even progress to skin ulcers.
