What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins aren't just ugly -- they can really hurt! Vascular surgeon Steve Elias, MD, gives the lowdown on what varicose veins are and why they pop up in the first place.

Transcript

00:00

Many times, people will confuse varicose veins with spider veins. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:12

Varicose veins are the bulging veins that are seen usually in the lower leg, sometimes in the thigh, that are big and blue.

00:23

Patients in general can identify these on their own. Many times, people will confuse varicose veins with spider veins.

00:31

Spider veins are the tiny red or blue veins that are within the skin. The varicose veins are the larger, bulging veins

00:39

that are below the level of the skin. Varicose veins are veins that are not working correctly. Normally, the veins bring the blood

00:47

back up the leg in the direction of the heart. In the veins, there are one-way valves, like a one way

00:54

door or a check valve, that only directs the blood upwards, towards the heart. But when veins don't work right, instead of all the blood going

01:02

up, blood begins to leak back down and put pressure on the veins. The veins get larger, and patients

01:09

get significant symptoms, such as aching or throbbing or heaviness, worse usually as the day goes on.

01:16

Because the more they're on their feet, some blood blood's going up, but some blood is leaking back down. So patients will typically say, I feel great in the morning,

01:25

but as the day goes on, my legs just feel more achy or tired or heavy. [AUDIO LOGO]