Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins (blood vessels) close to your skin's surface. The word varicose comes from the Latin root varix, which means "twisted." Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet.

That's because you stand and walk upright, which increases the pressure in the veins in your lower body. For many people, varicose veins are common, and mild and medically insignificant variation of varicose veins are simply a cosmetic concern. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes the condition leads to more serious problems. Varicose veins may also signal a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system. Varicose veins are a common condition in the United States, especially among older women. Women are more likely than men to have this problem.