Enlarged and twisted veins, usually on leg, due to valve defects.Encyclopedia Entry for Varicose Veins :Varicose veins - what to ask your doctor. What are varicose veins? What causes them? What makes them worse? Do they always cause symptoms? What sort of tests do I need if I have varicose veins? Do I need to treat my varicose veins? If I do not treat them, how quickly will they get worse? Are there serious complications or problems if I do not treat them? Are there medicines that can treat my varicose veins? What are compression (or pressure) stockings? Where can I buy them? Are there different types? Which ones would be best for me? Will they get rid of my varicose veins, or will I always need to wear them? Which procedures for varicose veins do you perform? Sclerotherapy? Heat ablation or laser ablation? Vein stripping? Questions to ask about different procedures for varicose veins are: How does this treatment work? When would it be a good choice for treating my varicose veins? Where is this procedure done? Will I have any scars? What are the risks? Will my varicose veins come back after this procedure? Will I still get new varicose veins on my legs? How soon? Does this procedure work as well as other treatments for varicose veins?.What to ask your doctor about varicose veins; Venous insufficiency - what to ask your doctor; Vein stripping - what to ask your doctor.Goldman MP, Weiss RA. Phleblogy and treatment of leg veins.Encyclopedia Entry for Varicose Veins :Varicose veins. Normally, one-way valves in your leg veins keep blood moving up toward the heart. When the valves do not work properly, they allow blood to back up into the vein. The vein swells from the blood that collects there, which causes varicose veins. Varicose veins are common, and affect more women than men. They do not cause problems for most people. However, if the flow of blood through veins becomes worse, problems such as leg swelling and pain, blood clots, and skin changes may be present. Risk factors include: Older age Being female (hormonal changes from puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can lead to varicose veins, and taking birth control pills or hormone replacement can increase your risk) Being born with defective valves Obesity Pregnancy History of blood clots in your legs Standing or sitting for long periods of time Family history of varicose veins.Symptoms of varicose veins include: Fullness, heaviness, aching, and sometimes pain in the legs Visible, swollen veins Smaller veins that you can see on the surface of the skin, called spider veins. Thigh or calf cramps (often at night) Mild swelling of feet or ankles Itching If flow of blood through the veins becomes worse, symptoms may include: Leg swelling Leg or calf pain after sitting or standing for long periods Skin color changes of the legs or ankles Dry, irritated, scaly skin that can crack easily Skin sores (ulcers) that do not heal easily Thickening and hardening of the skin in the legs and ankles (this can happen over time).Your health care provider will examine your legs to look for swelling, changes in skin color, or sores. Your provider also may: Check blood flow in the veins Rule out other problems with the legs (such as a blood clot) Varicose veins.Your provider may suggest that you take the following self-care steps to help manage varicose veins : Wear compression stockings to decrease swelling. These stockings gently squeeze your legs to move blood up toward your heart. DO NOT sit or stand for long periods. Even moving your legs slightly helps keep the blood flowing. Raise your legs above your heart 3 or 4 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. Care for wounds if you have any open sores or infections. Your provider can show you how. Lose weight if you are overweight. Get more exercise. This can help you keep off weight and help move blood up your legs. Walking or swimming are good options. If you have dry or cracked skin on your legs, moisturizing may help. However, some skin care treatments can make the problem worse. Talk to your provider before using any lotions, creams, or antibiotic ointments. Your provider can recommend lotions that can help. If only a small number of varicose veins are present, the following procedures may be used: Sclerotherapy. Salt water or a chemical solution is injected into the vein. The vein hardens and disappears. Phlebectomy. Small surgical cuts are made in the leg near the damaged vein. The vein is removed through one of the cuts. If the varicose veins are larger, longer, or more widespread on the leg, your provider will suggest one of the following: Procedures that can be done in a provider's office or clinic, such as using a laser or radiofrequency. Varicose vein stripping, used to remove or tie off a large vein in the leg called the superficial saphenous vein.Varicose veins tend to get worse over time. Taking self-care steps can help relieve achiness and pain, keep varicose veins from getting worse, and prevent more serious problems.Call your provider if: Varicose veins are painful. They get worse or do not improve with self-care, such as by wearing compression stockings or avoiding standing or sitting for too long. You have a sudden increase in pain or swelling, fever, redness of the leg, or leg sores. You develop leg sores that do not heal.Varicosity.Varicose veins - what to ask your doctor.Varicose veins Varicose veins.Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease.