What are varicose veins? How do we treat them?

I would like to know what causes varicose veins and how they can be eliminated.

What are varicose veins?

>Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. They most commonly develop in the legs and ankles.

What causes varicose veins?

>Varicose veins develop when you have faulty valves in your veins and weakened vein walls. Normally, the one-way valves in these veins keep the blood flowing efficiently against gravity up toward the heart. When these valves do not function properly, blood pools, pressure builds up, and the veins become weakened, enlarged, and twisted. This is called venous insufficiency.

Some people may be more likely than others to develop varicose veins because of inherited characteristics (genetics) and the aging process. Varicose veins may also result from conditions that increase pressure on the leg veins, such as being overweight or pregnant or having an occupation that requires standing for long periods of time.

How are they treated?

>Self-care measures such as wearing compression stockings, elevating your legs, and exercising regularly may relieve symptoms and keep varicose veins from getting worse.

Sclerotherapy, endovenous laser or radiofrequency treatment (which uses heat to close off varicose veins), or surgery to treat varicose veins may be considered when symptoms persist. These procedures may also be used if you are concerned about the appearance of varicose veins. Source(s): http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/...

check it out here. i knew what they were but wasn't sure on treatment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/varicose_ve...
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins resulting from poorly functioning valves. These are most common in the legs.

Varicose veins result from an increased elasticity of the vein wall. As we grow older, the valves in the veins may malfunction and cause blood, which should be traveling toward the heart, to pool in superficial veins. The result is an enlargement and bluish appearance in these veins. The bluish color is a direct result of varying amounts of deoxygenated blood in the vein(s) that is in a process of recirculation.

Varicose veins are far more common in individuals who sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, due to poor circulation. Other risk factors may include: Age, Genetics, Sex, Obesity

Conventional Treatments:

Compression Stockings
Ablation
Laser Stripping
Vein Stripping

I hope I answered your questions.
www.cardiolin.com
their enlarged veins and are caused when the valves in your veins don't work properly
they cant be eliminated but can be avoided by controling weight,
exercising,
watching the type of clothes you wear
ex: tight shoes
not sitting or standing for too long
and not sitting w/ legs crossed

HOPE I HELPED ! ! :)
www.mayoclinic.com