Often painful, and always disconcerting, varicose veins can be tough on your self esteem. Bluish or deep purple, gnarled, bulging or twisted, these enlarged veins can occur at any point on the body, but are most common in the legs and feet.

Varicose veins are formed when weakened valves in our veins experience a drop in elasticity and blood starts to flow backwards, pooling in spots causing the veins to expand and become varicose (abnormally swollen or knotty). This heightens their blue appearance, but don't be alarmed by that. Veins naturally have a blue tint because the blood is oxygen-starved (veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart, while arteries carry deep red, oxygen-rich blood away from the heart).

Spider veins are also a form of varicose veins, but they're smaller, closer to the surface, and they can be red or blue. They're often found on the face as well as the legs.

In addition to aging (the highest rates are in women aged 30 to 70), obesity raises your risk of varicose veins, but genetics and hormones also play a role. Woman are affected more often than men. Varicose veins caused by pregnancy usually aren't permanent, and significantly improve or disappear, within three months of delivery.

However, if you've endured months of achiness, muscle cramps, swelling in your legs, and your varicose veins don't seem to be fading, don't despair, you do have options. Get checked out by your healthcare provider first and foremost, particularly if you have skin ulcers on your ankles as this may indicate a more serious circulatory problem. Here are some simple lifestyle changes that may help.

Wear compression stockings.

They can be found at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. The stockings help blood efficiently move through the veins and muscles. Look for stockings that fit properly and are comfortable. They come in a variety of strengths, styles and colors, and are even available in prescription strength.

Exercise.

Movement boosts circulation. Do something you enjoy (so you're more likely to stick with it) to keep the blood flowing in your legs.

Elevate.

Lie down and put a couple of pillows under your legs and elevate them at, or above, heart level. Do this a couple of times each day if possible.

No leg crossing.

Don't sit with your legs crossed as this can decrease circulation to areas that need it.

Ditch the heels.

(Your podiatrist will also thank you.) Avoid high heels, and go for flats. A low heeled shoe gives calf muscles more of a work-out.

Check your underwear choices.

Avoid tight panty-leg girdles. As if being uncomfortable weren't reason enough to avoid these things. This type of undergarment tends to restrict blood flow to the legs.

Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Doing one or the other puts added stress and pressure on your legs. Make it a point to move around at least every 30 minutes.

Lose weight, or watch your weight.

Even a few extra pounds puts added stress and pressure on your legs. Also watch your salt intake, and get plenty of fiber every day. Your legs can swell due to water retention and constipation.

There are effective medical treatments for varicose veins, most are done on an outpatient basis, and if your symptoms are severe, treatment may be covered by insurance. Treatment options include laser surgery (it closes off smaller varicose veins and spider veins, and causes fading), vein stripping (a long vein is removed through a series of incisions), sclerotherapy (a solution is injected into the varicose veins that scars and closes them), and catheter-assisted procedures (a thin tube is inserted into the varicose vein, the tube tip becomes heated then collapses and seals the vein upon removal).

Severe varicose veins can slightly raise the risk of developing blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), and you may be prescribed anticoagulants or blood thinners.