What are Varicose Veins? Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins in the legs and feet become enlarged and deformed. For some people, they can cause pain and may be a symptom of an underlying circulatory problem. They are caused by an increase in blood pressure. The valves in our veins direct blood in one direction, so when the valves become damaged or weakened, the blood starts to pool up and collect in the veins,

Aging and the Loss of Vein Elasticity? As we age, our veins tend to lose their elasticity. As a result, blood has a harder time making its way back to the heart. The valves that would normally prevent blood from flowing backward may begin to weaken as well. To make matters worse, blood tends to pool in the veins down in the legs. Since this is deoxygenated blood, this explains why the first symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins can cause problems for you in more than one way. They can create symptoms that often make daily living uncomfortable. People with them often experience swelling of the lower legs that frequently extends to the ankles. It can become worse later in the day. Individuals who sit in a stationary position for long periods of time are more susceptible to the symptoms. Likewise, those who spend most of the day on their feet are more

Spider veins form because the blood is not flowing through the capillaries or smaller vessels as efficiently as it should. This causes the blood to back up and pool in the vessels. They will become enlarged as a result. When this happens, they can be seen through the skin in the form of red, blue or purple lines that often are interwoven. They can resemble a spider web or even the legs of a spider when this