Varicose veins - Causes, Symptoms, Treating and preventing of varicose veins, compression.

What are varicose veins

Varicose veins, also known as varicoses or varicosities, Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins. Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet. That's because standing and walking upright increases the pressure in the veins of your lower body.

Causes of varicose veins

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. The veins then enlarge. Varicose veins often affect the legs. The veins there are the farthest from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.

Some potential causes for varicose veins include:

• pregnancy
• menopause
• age over 50
• standing for long periods of time
• obesity
• family history of varicose veins 

 Symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins may not cause any pain. Signs you may have with varicose veins include:

• Veins that are dark purple or blue in color
• Veins that appear twisted and bulging; often like cords on your legs

When painful signs and symptoms occur, they may include:

• An achy or heavy feeling in your legs
• Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
• Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
• Itching around one or more of your veins
• Bleeding from varicose veins
• A painful cord in the vein with red discoloration of the skin
• Color changes, hardening of the vein, inflammation of the skin or skin ulcers near your ankle, which can mean you have a serious form of vascular disease that requires medical attention.

Treating & preventing of varicose veins

In general, doctors are conservative when treating varicose veins. You’ll probably be advised to make changes to your life style, instead of trying more aggressive treatments.

There's no way to completely prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle tone can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones. The same measures you can take to treat the discomfort from varicose veins at home can help prevent varicose veins, including:

• Exercising
• Watching your weight
• Eating a high-fiber, low-salt diet
• Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery
• Elevating your legs
• Changing your sitting or standing position regularly

 Compression

Your doctor may advise you to wear special compression socks or stockings. These place enough pressure on your legs so that blood can flow more easily to your heart. They also decrease swelling.
The level of compression varies, but most types of compression stockings are available in drugstores or medical supply stores.