JAN 20, 2017 2:44 PM PST

Who Gets Varicose Veins?

WRITTEN BY: Xuan Pham

The human body has a vast network of blood vessels that keep our cells healthy and oxygenated. Yet, most of the time, these blood vessels remain adeptly hidden underneath our skin. However, in cases, people have veins that are noticeably swollen and twisted. These typically occur on the legs, and they're called varicose veins.

In contrast to normal veins that are smooth and out of sight, varicose veins are enlarged and gnarled, bulging from the legs. These veins affect nearly 35 percent of people in the US. And while most see these veins as merely unsightly, some people experience pain and discomfort due to these veins.

Watch the video to learn more about how these veins develop and what treatments are available to reduce the appearance of these veins.
About the Author
Doctorate (PhD)
I am a human geneticist, passionate about telling stories to make science more engaging and approachable. Find more of my writing at the Hopkins BioMedical Odyssey blog and at TheGeneTwist.com.
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