Discussion of Varicose Veins and FAQ’s about treatment options

What are varicose veins, spider veins, and reticular veins? Varicose veins are ropy, swollen veins that are close to the surface of the skin. Reticular veins are the smaller, fine blue veins that are under the skin. Spider veins are smaller, red or blue veins that are in the skin layer. What causes varicose veins? The normal function of leg veins is to carry blood back to the heart. During walking activity, the calf muscle acts as a pump, compressing the leg veins and forcing blood back towards the heart.To prevent blood from going in the wrong direction, veins have one-way valves valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards down the leg. If the valves are faulty (a condition known as valvular incompetence), blood flows back into superficial veins and down the le View the rest of this article