Varicose Veins

• Varicose Veins Overview
• Varicose Vein Causes
• Varicose Vein Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Exams and Tests
• Varicose Veins Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Surgery
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related varicose veins articles:
  Varicose veins - on WebMD
  Varicose veins - on MedicineNet

Varicose Veins Overview

Veins are blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from the outer parts of the body back to the heart and lungs. When veins become abnormally thick, full of twists and turns, or enlarged, they are called varicose veins. Generally, the veins in the legs and thighs have a tendency to become varicosed.

• The thickened, twisting or dilated parts of the vein are called varicosities.



• Varicose veins can form anywhere in the body, but they are most often located in the legs.



• In the United States alone, about 19% of men and 36% of women have varicose veins.



• Varicose veins tend to be inherited and become more prominent as the person ages.

• The superficial veins and their branches are close to the skin. These veins typically become varicosed. Also included in this category are the communicator or perforator veins, which connect the superficial veins with the deep veins.



• The deep veins are encased by muscle and connective tissue, which help to pump the blood in the veins and back to the heart. The veins have one-way valves to prevent them from developing varicosities.



• Generally, blood travels from the superficial veins to the deep veins. From there, the blood travels through a network of larger veins back to the heart.