Varicose veins can cause a great deal of distress for those unfortunate to suffer from them. They are pretty recognisable and are basically enlarged, discoloured and lumpy veins which appear on the upper and lower legs. In many cases varicose veins are painful and tend to be present in those over the age of fifty, although younger people are also prone to developing varicose veins. It is estimated that more women than men suffer from varicose veins.

So what causes varicose veins? There are many theories behind the actual cause of varicose veins but the exact cause still remains uncertain. It has been suggested that being overweight is a great contributing factor to the development of varicose veins due to the extra weight the body carries and the increased pressure on both the heart and the veins to pump the flow of blood around the limbs. Standing for long periods of time is also thought to be a cause behind varicose veins as well as hereditary factors.

All veins have valves inside them which prevent the blood from flowing backwards but in the case of varicose veins these valves become weakened and the blood therefore refluxes back into the vein instead of pumping back to the heart. Blood collects in the vein causing the bumpy swollen appearance and thus becoming varicose. The walls of the veins then become weakened and typical symptoms of varicose veins starts to occur.

Although there is no known cure for varicose veins treatment is certainly an option in order to alleviate discomfort and even the unsightly appearance of large lumpy veins, usually found on the back of the lower legs and calf area.

However, despite several attempts at various treatments for varicose veins, if the patient has weakened veins, the odds are more varicose veins are likely to appear. Stripping veins by surgically removing those that are most problematic, may have short term relief but given that the blood then have to find another channel to flow into, other veins can therefore become weakened over time.