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Varicose Veins
It is not completely understood what causes varicose veins and many factors have been put forward including poor diet and excessive smoking – even something as simple as crossing your legs has been attributed to the later onset of varicose veins.
That is not to say we do not know what varicose veins are. Veins carry blood back to the heart as part of the circulatory system. Blood is pumped around your body and into your legs (for example) through arteries, which then supplies your legs with oxygen and other kinds of nutrients before returning via the veins. However as your legs are underneath your heart this means that the veins must work against gravity to get blood back there.
As a result, the veins must help the blood flow by using muscles in the leg to contract them and force the blood in the right direction.
Varicose Veins therefore are veins where blood is not flowing properly and is therefore pooling in the veins. This creates the appearance of bluish lumpy veins (usually) on the legs. This is mainly a physical appearance but in some cases it can cause aching, itching and of course risks if there is a cut to them.