What are varicose veins and what problems/painful symptoms can they cause?
While arteries bring blood from the heart to the extremities, veins, by virtue of one-way valves, channel blood back to the heart. If these valves don’t function well, the blood doesn’t flow efficiently. The veins then become enlarged because they are congested with blood. These enlarged veins are commonly called spider veins or varicose veins. Spider veins are small red, blue, or purple veins on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger, distended veins that are located somewhat deeper than spider veins. Pain in the legs is frequently related to these abnormal leg veins. Symptoms, often made worse by prolonged standing, include leg fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, cramping, and restlessness of the legs. Leg swelling may also occur. Severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation, or even ulceration of the lower leg. Vein disorders are not always visible, therefore diagnostic techniques are important tools
