Besides the obvious swelling of the veins, symptoms are aching legs, muscle cramps and a feeling of heaviness in the legs. Because of bruises, blood may leave the veins and ulcers on the leg may appear. Varicose veins may also appear around the anus, and are called hemorrhoids. This situation, which is described in more detail in our section on hemorrhoids , is caused by constipation, improper diet, and sitting too long in a seat without enough padding. Causes The primary cause of varicose veins is a breakdown of the valve system in the veins.
Blood carrying nutrients to the cells is pumped from the heart through the arteries to the legs.
If one or more aggravating factors are present, the swollen, distorted veins, which are called varicose veins, may develop. Age and extra weight, especially in the hips and waist regions, are some of the contributing factors. With age, the valves and veins become weaker, and muscle mass and tone tend to decrease, thereby impeding the return of blood to the heart and increasing the risk of developing varicose veins. These factors may cause the valve to leak or fail, allowing blood to accumulate in the veins, causing them to stretch. Any activity that may add strain to the circulatory system or constrict the flow of blood may be a contributing factor.