• Varicose veins are the result of circulatory problems, most commonly, the disease called chronic venous insufficiency.
• A varicose vein has a distinctive enlarged, twisted, or bulging shape, which appears red, blue, or purple.
• Most patients develop varicose veins in their legs, since leg veins must work against gravity to pump blood upward which is difficult when standing or sitting for long periods of time. However, varicosities can form anywhere in the body.
• Elevated pressure in blood vessels causes the distortion of varicose veins. Things that contribute to the excess pressure are sitting or standing frequently for work (desk jobs, commercial driving, teaching, nursing), gaining weight, pregnancy, and aging. In addition, a family history of varicosities is a good indicator of your susceptiblety.
• Varicose veins respond best to minimally invasive procedures and lifestyle adjustments that eliminate discomfort and complications and enhance appearance. Invasive surgery and downtime are rarely necessary to treat varicose veins.

One-way valves in the leg veins are responsible for facilitating upward transit of blood to the heart. When these valves weaken or fail, blood collects and leaks backward. Our veins can no longer transport the blood efficiently, nor can they support the additional pressure caused by pooling blood. This creates a chronic problem called venous insufficiency. Since leg veins must move blood from the feet, all the way up to the heart and lungs, they’re most prone to varicosity. As pressure increases against venous walls, the veins begin to bulge, swell, and contort, creating a twisted (tortuous) shape. Leg injuries and blood clots can also break these valves, contributing to varicosities. Some patients will also develop varicose veins as a result of phlebitis (inflammation) or venous abnormalities they are born with.

• Enlarged, bulging veins with a twisted shape
• Swelling and achiness in the legs and ankles
• A heavy feeling in the legs that worsens at night
• Development of spider veins near the varicosity
• Hardened fat deposits near the skin’s surface (lіроdеrmаtоѕсlеrоѕіѕ)
• Blue or brown-colored skin on the calves and ankles
• Itchy skin (venous eczema) or leg ulcers that are slow to heal
• Tightness and cramping in calves, especially when walking
• Reѕtlеѕѕ legs, particularly when seated or lying down

Varicose vеіnѕ are not relegated to a particular age group or gender. If varicose veins run in your family, you are more likely to develop them. In addition, those whose profession requires lengthy periods of sitting or standing are at greater risk. However, they are more prevalent in men after age 50, and in women subsequent to pregnancy or menopause.