Vein disease is chronic and progressive, and if left untreated can lead to pain, swelling, itching, skin changes, and even non-healing sores.

A healthy venous system lets blood flow efficiently from your leg veins back to your heart. The superficial veins that return the blood to the heart are known as the Great and Small Saphenous veins. As the valves in these veins become dysfunctional, the blood doesn’t move up, but flows back down toward your feet. This reverse flow is known as reflux. The increase in the pressure from the reverse flow in the saphenous veins leads to increased pressure in the skin veins.

This increased pressure then causes the walls of the skin veins to become weak and thin, causing the veins to bulge. The reflux in the saphenous vein(s) causes Varicose veins which are dark purple and blue in color and may appear twisted and bulging- like cords.  They are most often found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg, anywhere from your groin to your feet. There are three main causes to venous disease: heredity, pregnancy, and prolonged sitting or standing.