Healthy veins return blood to the heart so it can be re-
oxygenated. One-way valves within the veins ensure that the
blood flows in one direction, towards the heart. When valves
fail or leak, the blood flows backwards, causing blood to pool
in the veins. The increased pressure from the pooling stretches
the vein, causing enlarged, twisted blood vessels. The resulting
bumpy, rope like veins are varicose veins. It normally takes
years for symptoms of varicose veins to develop. While varicose
veins are commonly inherited, anyone can get them. Hormonal
changes brought on by puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can
trigger the onset of varicose veins. Varicose veins can cause
swelling in the legs and feet, create a sense of fatigue in leg
muscles, and cause leg throbbing or cramping. Often, the skin
surrounding the varicose veins frequently itches and burns. Left
untreated, varicose veins can lead to swelling, increased pain,
skin discoloration, and ulcerations of the lower legs. These
ulcerations are difficult to tr