Such swelling may cause burning, itching, throbbing and cramping. Though more prevalent in women, varicose veins also occur in men. Although there is probably a hereditary link, many lifestyle factors can influence your degree of risk. Spending a lot of time on your feet is a problem, because the challenge of overcoming gravity is at its greatest when standing. Also with age, the skin offers less support to the superficial veins because it gradually loses its tone and elasticity.
Exercise is a great preventive measure.
When exercising the muscles in the lower legs by walking or jogging, the muscles contract and squeeze against the veins. Squeezing increases pressure within the veins, which, with the assistance of one-way valves, helps propel blood upward toward the heart. Even brief sporadic exercise can help, especially if you must stand for prolonged periods. If you already have varicose veins, mild exercise might still be helpful, but you should avoid more strenuous exercises such as jogging and cycling. Strenuous exercise creates a huge metabolic demand on the working muscles of the lower legs, which in turn increases the blood flow to these muscles.