Elderly people and people who spend a great deal of time on their feet sometimes develop varicose veins. You may have noticed them on people who have this condition; the veins are swollen, twisted, and quite blue.

Varicose veins are veins that have lost their elasticity, a loss which causes them to swell and look twisted. The swelling occurs because the weakened walls of the veins can no longer withstand the pressure of the blood in the veins.