Varicose veins are an unfortunate and painful condition that can befall humans as they grow older.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are an indirect result of having a heart high in the torso, they form when blood pools in the veins. Blood pumped down to the feet does not need very much force to get there; it just flows downhill. However, once at the feet, it needs quite a bit of force to get back up. To aid the flow back to the heart, the body evolved¹ one-way valves in the veins that return blood to the heart. Blood can go up the vein, but not back down. As surrounding muscles contract and relax, they force the blood up into the next higher valve until it reaches the heart.

If the muscles are not moving the blood, it will build up in between valves. Eventually, the weight of the blood will be enough to burst the valve. This causes more blood to pool above the next valve, causing the vein to swell (superficial thrombophlebitis). This process can be self-perpetuating; if steps are not taken to stop it, huge sections of vein can be stripped of valves. The vein is then worthless, as it cannot support the blood on its return to the heart. This vein is a particular problem area for blood clots, and may have to be removed surgically.

Varicose veins close to the skin tend to be the most noticeable. They are usually found in the legs and lower back, but can occur anywhere below the heart, including along the arms. They range in intensity from small blue pinpricks on the skin to swelling, throbbing bluish-purple trunks, and are often further highlighted by the paleness of the underlying flesh. Not only are they embarrassing due to their unsightliness, they can be itchy and uncomfortable.

How do you get them?

Varicose veins can be particularly common in those who drive for a living (eg lorry/taxi/bus drivers), office/computer workers and the wheelchair-bound. The condition affects about twice as many women than men, not only because only women get pregnant, but because they tend to cross their legs more. There is a higher chance of developing varicose veins if there is a family history of this infliction.

• The most common cause of varicose veins is inactivity; not using the muscles which propel blood upwards. Most of this inactivity occurs in the workplace, sitting at desks, or are incapacitated for one reason or another.

• They're also very common in people who stand up for large parts of the day but don't walk a lot, for instance shop workers. That's because standing puts a large amount of pressure on a vein, but when you're walking the pressure is relieved by the muscle pushing the blood up to the heart.

• Pregnant women tend to get varicose veins. There is an increased blood flow in the legs during pregnancy, which overloads valves.

• Sports injuries, eg from playing rugby or football, can lead to numerous health issues such as varicose veins and arthritis.

• Varicose veins can occur when blood is forced to flow against the valves. This usually occurs during improperly performed massage.
  

How to Avoid Getting Varicose Veins

Don't cross your legs when sitting.

Even walking half an hour every day (exercising those muscles) can significantly reduce the risk of varicose veins. For those of you who already have them (especially pregnant women), exercise can help get rid of varicose veins by reducing pressure on valves enough to let them heal.

Massage properly. Always massage towards the heart, up the limbs and back. Not only will this help blood flow, it also feels better. NEVER massage away from the heart; this will force the blood against the valves, and can cause runaway varicosity in one session.

Treatments

• Rest with legs raised.
  

• Wear compression (support) tights/stockings.
  

• Sclerotherapy — injection of a chemical into the varicose vein which should close it.
  

• Surgical removal (stripping).
  

While in most cases varicose veins are simply unsightly, they can also be dangerous. Painful blood clots can form in a varicose vein. Should these clots break away, they could become lodged somewhere else and cause an embolism, stroke, or coronary blockage.