At first glance it may seem that varicose veins are cosmetic problem, but they are not, Cleveland Clinic reports.

There are several different options for treatment of troublesome varicose veins, ranging from minimally invasive heat treatments to traditional ligation. Ask your doctor which is best for you.

Your veins have valves that keep the blood flowing and prevent blood from backing up or pooling in one place. When these valves fail, blood pools and increases pressure on the vessel walls, causing the blood vessels to distort and balloon out. Large or numerous varicose veins can make your legs feel heavy and ache.

In addition to genetic predisposition, being overweight or standing for many hours at a time increases your risk for developing varicose veins. Varicose veins can be a side effect of pregnancy as well.

Poor circulation associated with varicose veins can result in clot formations in deeper veins. If these clots break off, they can travel to the lung and cause serious problems (such as pulmonary embolism).

When extensive varicose veins hinder the circulation in your legs, you can develop edema, or swelling caused by resulting fluid buildup. 

Wearing compression-type stockings or socks helps avoid discomfort and prevent varicose vein symptoms from developing or worsening.