Larger |veins| in the body have |valves| that control the flow of ~blood~. These |valves| assist in transporting the ~blood~ against the pull of gravity back to the |heart| and |lungs|. In the deep leg |veins|, the |valves| occur every half inch along the legs. Some activities and habits, such as crossing your legs a lot and spending too much time on your feet in one position puts a strain on the legs causing the ~blood~ to pool on them. In larger |veins|, the |valves| that control the flow of ~blood~ sometimes break down after continued strain and they no longer close behind the ~blood~ as it passes up the leg to the |heart|. The ~blood~ moves sluggishly, filling and stretching the |veins| until they protrude from the skin in a condition known as vericose |veins|. The swollen |veins| can itch, ache, and bleed. They also cause leg cramps or swollen ankles and feet. Vericose |veins| may also lead to ~ulcers~ above the ankle and to ~blood~ clots in the legs that cause a condition known as phlebitis. For many people, vericose |veins| do not cause any of these problems and a simply a cosmetic nuisance.
The smaller |veins| close to the surface of the skin don't have |valves|, but they, too, can become swollen with ~blood~. When this occurs, they appear as a dense, red, wavy network of so-called spider |veins|. Although certain activities and habits add to the strain on the |veins|, researchers do not know what causes vericose or spider |veins|. It is widely believed it is a matter of heredity. About 25% of Americans have vericose |veins| on their legs. Only the superficial vericose |veins| can be seen. The deep |veins|, however, can develop the condition too. The treatment for vericose |veins| ranges from simple |exercise| to a surgical procedure. Small spider |veins| and the ropy blue vericose |veins| are often treated with a procedure called sclerotherapy. The |veins| are injected with a strong irritating solution such as saline. The injection causes scarring that fuses the |veins| shut. Without ~blood~ circulating through them, they are no longer visible. Each |vein| needs to be injected individually. This procedure often needs to be repeated within a few years, as new varicose veins often develop. The most extreme technique for treating vericose |veins| provides permanent relief, but is not suitable for all patients. The procedure, called |vein| ligation and stripping, removes the superficial saphenous |vein|, which runs from the ankle to the groin.
