Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are damaged superficial veins that bave become stretched, enlarged, and/or twisted. They can develop virtually anywbere in the body, but they develop most commonly in the legs. They can often be seen on the legs, just below the surface of the skin, and they may give affected areas a lumрy appearance.

What Are Veins and Arteries?

The circulatory system has two main types of vessels for carrying blood to and from all of the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the organs, and veins return oxygen-poor blood to the heart. Both arteries and veins are vessels or tubes through which blood flows, but they are dissimilar in many ways. Arteries have much thicker walls than veins of comparable size. Both arteries and veins have rings of smooth muscle surrounding them, but arteries have thicker rings. Arteries have many more elastic fibers than veins and have the property of elasticity. Veins are relatively inelastic. In addition, blood pressure in the veins is much Iower than it is in the arteries. Veins do have valves, which help to keep blood from pooling in the veins. When these valves start to break down, as often happens in older or inactive people, the veins sometimes dilate* or collapse and become varix, varices, varicose. The result is varicose veins. Although varicose veins can be painful, most varicose veins are relatively benign.

Where Do Varicose Veins Occur?

Varicose veins very often in the area behind the knee joint and in the calf area. The veins look bluish and may become swollen, which may give the affected area a lumpy appearance. About 15 percent of adults in the United States have varicose veins. Women have varicose veins more often than men do and are particularly prone to developing them during pregnancy. In addition, varicose veins tend to run in families.