When a valve malfunctions, it can lead to back pressure in a vein, and that in turn can lead to the vein stretching and swelling, the visual result of which can be clearly seen if the veins concerned are the peripheral veins, that is, the veins closest to the surface of our skin.
It's not just the clearly visible look of many varicose veins, it can also cause all kinds of bumps and lumps to appear in our legs as the veins become extended and have nowhere to extend other than outwards.
There are two reasons why varicose veins are a problem for people, the first is on medical grounds, where a person's physical quality of life is being affected. This includes a great deal of discomfort as well as further complications, such as skin discoloration and leg ulcers being likely to set in if the condition is left untreated.
The second is more about the cosmetic look of varicose veins, and although this is dismissed by some, it can have a debilitating mental effect, which causes stress and can lead to other problems for the sufferer.