Understanding Varicose Veins - Causes and Treatment

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What does a varicose vein look like?

Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that usually occur on the legs and feet. They may be blue or dark purple, and are often lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. The symptoms are usually worse during warm weather or if you've been standing up for long periods of time.

Are varicose veins a medical emergency?

This is a medical emergency. Varicose veins, or varicosities, are swollen, twisted vein that lie just under the skin. They usually occur in the legs. Sometimes varicose veins form in other parts of the body. Hemorrhoids , for example, are a type of varicose vein that develops in the rectum.

What causes varicose veins on the lower legs?

In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs. Varicose veins occur when veins aren’t functioning properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing toward your heart.

Do varicose veins cause pain?

Varicose veins most often affect the veins in the legs. That's because standing and walking increase the pressure in the veins of the lower body. For many people, varicose veins are simply a cosmetic concern. So are spider veins, a common, mild form of varicose veins. But varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are bulging, enlarged veins. Any vein that is close to the skin's surface, called superficial, can become varicosed. Varicose veins most often affect the veins in the legs. That's because standing and walking increase the pressure in the veins of the lower body. For many people, varicose veins are simply a cosmetic concern.

Are varicose veins a problem?

For many people, varicose veins are simply a cosmetic concern. So are spider veins, a common, mild form of varicose veins. But varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes they lead to more-serious health problems. Treatment involves exercising, raising legs when sitting or lying down, or wearing compression stockings.

How do you know if you have varicose veins?

Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins – usually blue or dark purple – that usually occur on the legs. They may also be lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. Other symptoms include: Read more about the symptoms of varicose veins. Your GP can diagnose varicose veins based on these symptoms, although further tests may be carried out.

What Is Varicose Veins

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/varicose-veins/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/symptoms-causes/syc-20350643
3. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/heart-and-blood-vessels/conditions/varicose-veins
4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4722-varicose-veins
5. https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/varicose-veins
6. https://www.healthline.com/health/varicose-veins
7. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/varicose-veins
8. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders/venous-disorders/varicose-veins

Varicose Veins Information

1. https://www.vascularsociety.org.uk/patients/conditions/3/varicose_veins
2. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/varicose-veins/
3. https://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG168