Usually blamed on old age, varicose veins are something no woman wants to have. Not only do they cause discomfort and a feeling of tiredness in your legs, they're ugly. If you're concerned about the sudden appearance of bulging veins in your legs and are wondering if you are getting varicose veins, here is some information to help answer your questions.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Your body has arteries and veins. The arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Your arteries return the blood back to your heart so it can be re-oxygenated and re-circulated again.

Your legs are the 'end of the line', so to speak. Once the blood has reached your legs, the veins in your legs return the blood back to your heart. Due to age or other factors, sometimes the veins in your legs lose their elasticity and don't do a very good job at fighting gravity and getting the blood back to your heart. The blood pools in the veins in your legs making them bulge out with blood.

What Are the Causes of Varicose Veins?

As with any physical symptom or ailment, the causes are various. Most of the time varicose veins are associated with age. As you age, your veins lose their elasticity much like your skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag and wrinkle. The veins just don't do a very good job of forcing the blood back up to your heart.

Another common cause of varicose veins in that the valves in your veins lose their elasticity and no longer open and close properly. This adds to the problem of bulging veins.

Not all cases of varicose veins show up due to old age. It is also common for pregnant women to get swollen veins in their legs. During a healthy pregnancy, blood volumes increase but the blood flow from the abdomen decreases. This is to support the growing baby but many times causes the expectant mother to have problems with varicose veins.

What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are large dark purple or blue veins that usually bulge. They appear twisted and can sometimes look like cords underneath the surface of your skin. The most common place to have these veins is in your legs, but they can show up in the groin or buttock area.

Having varicose veins will give you the feeling of heaviness in your legs. Sometimes they will burn or throb and you may have muscle cramping in your legs due to the engorged veins.

Should You Go to the Doctor for Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins is an uncomfortable but not serious medical condition. You can take care of your veins by wearing support hose and elevating your legs when possible. To keep your varicose veins from getting worse, you may want to talk to your doctor about further prevention.

Jason Ladock

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