What are varicose veins and their symptoms?
Veins, the vessels that carry blood toward the heart, have valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards and keep the blood flowing to the heart. Varicose veins, most common in the legs, form when these valves become weak and don’t close properly, allowing blood to flow backward. The veins can become bulged with pools of blood. Symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Some people have a feeling of heaviness, aching, itching, burning and swelling in their legs as well as fatigue, especially at the end of the day. In severe cases, varicose veins can rupture, leading to open sores (ulcers) near the ankle. Many people whose legs feel heavy and tired ignore their symptoms, believing this is just a part of aging. What are spider veins and their symptoms? Spider veins appear on the surface of the skin and may look like fine lines, “starburst” clusters or a web-like maze. They’re common in the legs and may also appear on the face. Spider veins may have no symptoms, or they may itch or bur
