Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen and twisted veins that look blue and are close to the surface of the skin. A vein is said to be varicose when it is dilated, lengthened and tortuous. These twisted, swollen and bulging vessels are commonly found on the insides of the legs between the groin and the ankle and at the back of the calf.

The normal veins are taut, however if the blood flow is too sluggish, the veins slowly get dilated and tortuous in order to accommodate more blood in the lumen. Another possible reason is that the valves in the vein do not function properly and the blood leaks down with gravity and collects in the veins of the legs.

It is believed that up to 15% adults in the western world are affected by this condition.

Varicose veins are more likely to occur in women than in men.

The cause of piles (or hemorrhoids) around the anus is also due to varicosity of veins around the anus.