VARICOSE VEINS

Most of us know what varicose veins look like.  They are the large, bumpy, often painful veins that cause big bulges on the legs.  They can be the same color as the skin, but are often discolored, red, blue, purple, or even a brownish color.

What causes varicose veins? The most direct answer is broken valves.  Very simply there are valves in the veins to keep blood from flowing downward because gravity tries to pull the blood in that direction.  If the valves break, the blood is allowed to flow backward; to reflux.  When the blood is allowed to flow backwards the veins are stretched bigger and longer.  Then they become visible.  This also allows blood to stay in the legs longer and eventually causes damage to the skin and deeper layers. Treating the veins sooner rather than later will prevent some of the more severe problems caused by varicose veins.

For a more detailed description of how the vein system works, and why it is possible to treat varicose veins, incompetent veins, or veins with venous reflux, the medical descriptions for varicose veins, refer to the sections in our FAQs.

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