Varicose Veins

Veins carry unoxygenated blood up the legs and back to the heart to be reoxygenated. The veins in your legs have one-way valves, assisting the blood to circulate up the leg against gravity and prevent the blood from flowing back down the leg.

When the valves are weak or leaky, they can’t completely close, allowing the back flow of blood down the leg where it “pools” in the lower leg.  This is known as reflux. The pooling of the blood causes the veins to become distended and tortuous, leading to varicose veins.

Varicose veins are common and affect women more frequently than men. Symptoms of varicose veins include pain and aching, itching, swelling, heaviness of the leg and visible varicosities. Symptoms range from mild to severe and are usually progressive.

Many factors contribute to varicose veins including heredity, pregnancy, hormones, obesity, trauma and an occupation that requires standing for long periods of time.