Question:
I've got veins starting to show up in my legs, mostly the shins, and I don't know if this is the start of varicose veins or if it's just because of weight loss/increased activity. I've lost a lot of weight over the past 2 years and gotten far more active, including a lot of running. Granted, the veins have started to show in my arms, shoulders and abs too, but the ones on my legs look different. Do you think they are varicose? Is there a way to tell/find out? If it is, is there anything one can do about it? Thanks to anyone who might be able to help.

Answer: They(the meds) don't know what causes them. to me there's a correlation to high blood pressure. i think the veins get sucked loose from the venous side of the arterioles because the arteroles are plugged with something. HTN meds do not help even though they open the arterioles (the smooth muscle). the old help is supp hose but i can't see how that would be effective, and they restrict circ. they can be removed(cosmetic), but that doesn't really solve the problem. i remember my mother's doctor telling her to stay off her feet (she was a typist) and wear support hose (she wore hose all the time). they don't seem to interfere with my activity but the sensation of flow in my legs is different.