Movement and medical compression stockings pep up the veins.

The main cause is damage to valves in the veins after a venous occlusion, or weak connective tissue that surrounds the leg veins, so that the veins are dilated and their valves can no longer close properly.

Both lead to the blood no longer being fully pumped towards the heart with some sinking back into the veins. As a result, the permanently dilated veins develop into varicose veins, or swellings, due to stored water. Skin and tissues then thicken, painful inflammations occur and the tissue dies and a leg ulcer may even develop.

The first signs of chronic venous weakness are so-called "warning veins", a circle of enlarged veins around the ankle. Heavy legs, itching, tingling and night-time leg cramps follow. A brownish discolouration of the skin, red spots reminiscent of erysipelas and small white spots on the skin are signs of an already far advanced disease.

At the first signs of a venous disorder, get a doctor (phlebologist, angiologist, vascular surgeon, dermatologist) to examine your legs. They can then take effective measures to prevent the disease getting worse.