Varicose veins are swollen, twisted blood vessels that bulge just under your skin’s surface. These blue or purple bulges usually appear in your legs, feet and ankles. They can be painful or itchy. Spider veins, which may surround varicose veins, are smaller red or purple lines that appear close to your skin’s surface.Anyone can develop varicose veins. Certain factors increase your chances of developing varicose veins, including:

• Age: Because of the aging process, vein walls and valves don’t work as well as they once did. Veins lose elasticity and stiffen.
• Gender: Female hormones can allow the walls of the veins to stretch. People who are pregnant, taking the birth control pill or going through menopause have a higher risk of varicose veins because of changes in hormone levels.
• Family history: This condition can be inherited (runs in families).
• Lifestyle: Standing or sitting for long periods decreases circulation. Wearing restrictive clothing, such as girdles or pants with tight waistbands can decrease blood flow.
• Overall health: Certain health conditions, such as severe constipation or certain tumors, increase pressure in the veins.
• Tobacco use: People who use tobacco products are more likely to develop varicose veins.
• Weight: Excess weight puts pressure on blood vessels.

Symptoms of varicose veins:

The most recognizable sign of varicose veins is a gnarled, blue or purple vein just under your skin’s surface. Symptoms include:

• Bulging veins: Twisted, swollen, rope-like veins are often blue or purple. They appear just below the surface of the skin on your legs, ankles and feet. They can develop in clusters. Tiny red or blue lines (spider veins) may appear nearby.
• Heavy legs: Muscles in your legs may feel tired, heavy or sluggish, especially after physical activity.
• Itching: The area around varicose veins may itch.
• Pain: Legs may be painful, achy or sore, especially behind your knees. You might have muscle cramps.
• Swelling: Your legs, ankles and feet can swell and throb.
• Skin discolorations and ulcers: If left untreated, varicose veins can cause brown discolorations on your skin. Severe varicose veins can cause venous ulcers (sores) on your skin.

Management:

You may not be able to prevent varicose veins. You can reduce your chances of developing them by living an active, healthy lifestyle. Healthcare providers recommend many of the same measures to prevent and treat varicose veins:

• Avoid long periods of standing: To encourage blood flow, take regular breaks to stretch and walk around, especially if you have a job that requires you to be on your feet.
• Elevate your legs: Raising your feet above your waist helps blood flow to your heart.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Getting rid of excess pounds reduces pressure inside your blood vessels.
• Quit tobacco use: Smoking damages blood vessels, decreases blood flow and causes a wide range of health problems.
• Stay active: To improve circulation, move frequently and avoid sitting still for prolonged periods.
• Try compression stockings: Support socks and pantyhose compress your veins and help blood circulate, which can prevent varicose veins from getting worse.
• Wear clothes that fit properly: To encourage blood flow, make sure your waistband isn’t too tight.