Patients with varicose veins notice prominent dilated veins in the lower limbs, which seem to be more obvious when they are standing upright.
Symptoms caused by venous insufficiency and varicose veins include aching pain, swelling, easily tired legs and leg heaviness, all of which worsen as the day goes on.
Alternately, there may be no pain but only itching or burning.
Many people find they need to sit or lie down and elevate their legs to relieve these symptoms.
People who have chronic venous insufficiency can have symptoms even without visible dilated and tortuous veins on the skin surface. The symptoms may be caused by pressure of the veins on nerves.
Spider veins usually have an unattractive appearance and may also be associated with itching, burning, or throbbing pain in the legs.