Arteries are charged with carrying our blood away from the heart to all sections of the body and the blood makes its return journey within the veins.
Dissimilar to arteries, veins do not have elastic walls and rely on one-way valves at regular intervals to prevent the blood from slipping backwards.
Should the cells come under greater pressure they begin to fail and leak giving rise to the blue veins we recognise as varicose veins.
Although all of us can suffer with varicose veins in general terms women tend to be more prone to suffering than men.
Those most at risk include pregnant women given pregnancy raises the pressure in the veins making varicose veins much more likely to be experienced.
Individuals with a family history of varicose veins are also likely to suffer along with people who stand still for long periods, shop workers and police officers are a good example.
Following the valves within the veins becoming damaged and beginning to leak, the only option shown to be effective is an operation to remove the damaged veins.
The decision to operate and remove the veins is a decision you the patient need to arrive at, and will be determined by how much suffering if any, is being caused.
Typical symptoms include tired aching legs and in some cases severe itching of the vein.
If you are concerned about varicose veins ensure that you keep yourself active.
If your employment encompasses long periods of inactivity standing up simply move around as much as possible.
Simply rocking backward and forward on your heels will help stimulate your calf muscles thereby ensuring a constant blood flow back to your heart muscle.
If you are overweight consider going on a diet and if you smoke perhaps now is the time to quit.
For a natural remedy, try drinking some red vine leaf extract which is a herbal remedy helping to promote healthy veins and capillaries.