People that have jobs where they sit for long periods of time with out moving are prone to varicose veins. The blood needs to circulate and when we block it from moving by sitting, or crossing our legs a blockage can be created and then a varicose vein may result. We need to get up often and stretch and exercise to minimize this risk. Other people who are prone to varicose veins are overweight, pregnant or people with a family history of this condition.

Symptoms related to the problem: These veins that pop out are very painful at times. There is a dull nagging ache that rarely goes away in some sufferers. Swelling and leg cramps and sores with a feeling a lead weight in the leg is very common with varicose veins. Varicose veins in the rectum are extremely painful. These are often called hemorrhoids, itching, pain and blood in the stool are common with this type of varicose veins.

Treatment: In severe cases, surgery is necessary. This "vein stripping" surgery is fairly common and is done under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. In this procedure, a vascular surgeon removes the damaged veins through incisions, usually through the groin. In some cases, this procedure is used to tie-off damaged veins. Most patients are able to return to relatively normal activity within three days. Other options include laser treatment in which smaller varicose veins (spider veins) are removed. This non-invasive laser procedure is frequently done after vein stripping. Another procedure is schlerotherapy, in which the doctor injects a chemical into the vein to either close off the vein or narrow it to increase blood flow.