You've noticed a few varicose veins on your legs. Is there anything you can do about them? Varicose veins are hard to ignore: these lumpy, ropelike vessels seem to bulge out of the skin, and for many people, they can be deeply uncomfortable. They are most common in the legs, ankles and feet but can sometimes be found in the pelvis and elsewhere. While up to 30 per cent of adults have varicose veins, they are "not life threatening or limb threatening," said Dr Faisal Aziz, chief of vascular surgery at Penn State Health. A few simple lifestyle changes can ease symptoms and keep the veins from worsening, but they usually won't make existing ones disappear.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, and veins bring it back. But that's a tougher job in the legs, where blood has to travel upward. Your body relies on a two-part system: as you move around, your calf muscles squeeze the veins in your legs and push blood upward, while one-way valves keep that blood from travelling back down, said Dr Isabella Kuo, a vascular surgeon at University of California Irvine Medical Center.

Varicose veins form when these valves weaken or don't close properly. Blood pools in the legs and pressure builds, causing the veins to enlarge. Family history is the strongest risk factor, but ageing, excess weight and jobs that require long stretches of sitting or standing also increase the odds. Women are more likely to develop varicose veins too, and while the reasons are not fully clear, hormone replacement therapy and pregnancy probably play a role.

Because many of these risk factors are beyond a person's control, there is not much people can do to prevent varicose veins. But staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and taking breaks from long sedentary periods can help reduce strain.

Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?

If varicose veins aren't painful or bothersome, it's perfectly fine to ignore them, said Dr Angela Kokkosis, director of the centre for vein care at Stony Brook Medicine. However, many cases are symptomatic and worth getting checked out.

As blood pools in the veins, it can cause pain, tenderness and a feeling of heaviness in the legs. If the pressure stays elevated, fluid and red blood cells can seep into nearby tissue, causing swelling, itchy dry skin, and discoloration. In rare cases, varicose veins can lead to ulcers, particularly without treatment.

Varicose veins are also tied to a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis, a potentially dangerous blood clot. So, sudden swelling or pain in just one leg – especially after a long sedentary stretch, like a long flight – deserves prompt attention.

What Can You Do About Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins can't be cured, but doctors recommend starting with some simple changes to help slow their progression.

Movement is key. Taking a short walk or flexing your feet at your desk – at least every hour – can help keep your calf muscles engaged. When sitting or lying down, elevating your legs for about 15 minutes at a time can also help reduce blood pooling.

Compression stockings are one of the best tools for symptom relief. They apply external pressure to the legs, helping counteract gravity and reduce blood pooling. Knee-high stockings with moderate compression typically work well. If you have trouble wearing them every day, at least do so on days when you'll be sitting or standing for long stretches.

There are no over-the-counter medications approved for treating varicose veins. However, some studies suggest that supplements like micronised purified flavonoid fraction and horse chestnut seed extract can ease leg pain, heaviness and swelling, though they're not a replacement for lifestyle changes.

When to See a Specialist

If you're dealing with pain and other symptoms after three to six months, or you develop complications like skin discoloration or ulcers, it's worth talking to a vein specialist. After ruling out related problems, the doctor can close the problematic veins with heat, adhesive or a medical solution – or surgically remove them. This can both improve the cosmetic appearance of varicose veins and meaningfully improve heaviness and aching.

Final Thoughts

Varicose veins are a chronic condition. Treated veins can occasionally reopen, and an operation doesn't erase the body's tendency to form new varicose veins down the road. While there is no cure, a combination of lifestyle changes, compression stockings, and medical treatment can effectively manage symptoms and improve quality of life. If you're concerned about your varicose veins, speak to a healthcare professional for personalised advice.