Varicose Veins

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are blood vessels that are abnormally dilated and distended, which appear blue, purple or red and are swollen and twisted. These veins can be painful and at times can bleed. They also can stain the skin and cause scarring and in extreme cases, ulcers. 

Varicose veins can form anywhere in the body, but they are usually seen in the back of the calf or on the inside of the leg.

Veins are the tubes that drain blood from the legs back to the heart. The way veins function is by using valves to prevent the flow back down into the legs. These valves can become ‘leaky’ or non-functional and result in ‘incompetence’. 

Leaky valves in the veins cause the veins to enlarge and dilate. Women are more likely to get varicose veins than men, particularly during their pregnancy years. Puberty, hormonal changes, weight gain, lack of physical activity, pregnancy, birth control pills, sitting or standing for long periods of time are some of the factors that cause varicose veins.