If you have noticed large, purple looking bulges on your lower legs, you probably have varicose veins. Veins that become engorged with blood will show through the surface of the skin. This is not usually a dangerous condition, but it is unsightly. These veins are commonly called varicose veins.

One out of every two people who are over the age of fifty is affected with varicose veins. Veins that swell up are more common in women than in men. There are many types of these unsightly veins. Even hemorrhoids are a type of varicose vein.

Varicose veins most often occur in the upper thigh or lower leg but can also show up in the labia, anus (hemorrhoids) and lower abdomen of pregnant women or people who are morbidly obese.

If you are bothered by the appearance of your legs, exercising can help. You want to avoid high impact exercises such as jogging or aerobics because these just increase the pooling of the blood in the lower extremities.

The best types of exercises you can do is walking or swimming. Stretching exercises are also good to increase the muscle tone of your legs. Research has shown that stretching several times a week can also gradually improve the muscular tone.