Varicose veins, also known as varicosity or varicosis, are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins that are visible just beneath the skin. They develop when blood flow in the veins slows down due to a poorly-functioning valve. A valve is a one-way flap that stops blood from flowing backwards, and so when it is weakened and less able to perform this function, blood accumulates and a varicose vein is formed.  Enlarged veins, which appear as either varicose veins or spider veins, are not a rare occurrence. The National Women's Health Information Center found that as many as 60% of all American men and women possess some form of vein disorder. However, women are more affected by 50%. As a matter of fact, 41% of women in their 50s suffer from abnormal leg veins, showing that enlarged veins are particularly prevalent among the aging female population.

Varicose veins are frequently mistaken to be a cosmetic problem. In reality, they are actually a disease, even though those who have it develop cosmetic manifestations and usually experience little physical discomfort.

If you discover that you have developed varicose veins, you should seek help for your condition instead of avoiding the problem. Don't disregard your condition just because you are able to wear trousers or long clothing to hide them from view.

How Varicose Veins Develop

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood from the lower body to the heart. When a person is standing up, his leg muscles would contract, causing blood from the lower body to be pumped to the heart through the veins. As blood is transported to the heart, valves located within the veins prevent blood from flowing downwards. If faults develop in these valves, blood may seep back into the vein and collect there. The result is venous insufficiency, a condition whereby blood travels not only towards the heart, but also away from the heart (reflux) to the foot. The accumulated blood then enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose.

Veins that reflux are seen as incompetent, or to have incompetent valves. As time passes, the pressure in the veins increases, progressively causing them to become swollen and varicose, though this many take place over many years. This backflow of blood is one of the causes of spider veins as well. Other reasons for the formation of spider veins include hormonal changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun.

Although the conditions for varicose veins to develop are largely unidentifiable, causes include congenially defective valves, thrombophlebitis and pregnancy. Prolonged standing and high pressure within the abdomen may also worsen the condition or add to one's vulnerability for its development.  

Symptoms Observed

The first symptom of varicose veins is a swelling along the course of the veins, subsequent muscle cramps and feelings of weariness behind one's knees. Occasionally, the direction of blood flow towards the heart is reversed when the patient is in an upright position, bringing about the problem of veinous blood gathering in the lower part of the leg. Purplish and pigmented skin soon forms, leading to excruciatingly painful conditions such as varicose eczema or varicose ulcers.

To minimize the pain of varicose veins, if you start to develop such symptoms, do not hesitate to seek treatment immediately.

You need not live in fear of the problems caused by varicose veins.

Visit us at www.YourBodyGuide.com/varicose-veins to read how they can be treated. Videos are present there to explain the causes and treatment for them as well.

About the Author

Sammuel Daniels is a writer who writes passionately about health issues. His desire is to see people have relief from pain and attain a higher quality of life.