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Impaired drainage of blood
from the leg veins initially manifests itself as swollen legs, in
particular swollen ankles. This oedema (Latin for swelling) occurs because
fluid collects in the tissues and stretches the skin. At first, only the
ankles are affected, then later the entire leg. At the outset, it is still
possible to reduce the swelling by elevating the legs or by night-time
recumbency. In the later stages, the venous blood circulation is so
severely impaired that the blood actually pools in the legs and the
congestion and swelling ceases to diminish overnight. |
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