Veins in the legs may be visible and unsightly, and cause symptoms such as aching and throbbing. Varicose veins are large, dilated, tortuous veins which appear raised and lumpy. Spider veins are small blood vessels lying underneath the skin surface and may appear red or blue.
In Western communities over 50% of women and 20% of men are affected by varicose and spider veins. There is no single cause of these veins, but they are known to run in families and be worsened by pregnancy, obesity, prolonged standing and inactivity. The main abnormality consists of a weakness in the vein wall, followed by failure of the venous valves and progressive dilatation of the vein.
Varicose and spider veins are not functioning properly so are not necessary to the circulatory system.
Veins in the legs may be visible and unsightly, and cause symptoms such as aching and throbbing. Varicose veins are large, dilated, tortuous veins which appear raised and lumpy. Spider veins are small blood vessels lying underneath the skin surface and may appear red or blue.
In Western communities over 50% of women and 20% of men are affected by varicose and spider veins. There is no single cause of these veins, but they are known to run in families and be worsened by pregnancy, obesity, prolonged standing and inactivity. The main abnormality consists of a weakness in the vein wall, followed by failure of the venous valves and progressive dilatation of the vein.
Varicose and spider veins are not functioning properly so are not necessary to the circulatory system.