I found the following Q & A at www.canada.com.

Q: I am a 74-year-old male Caucasian in relatively good health with a BMI that is good for my height. Over the past year or so, I have suffered occasional leg cramps, sometimes several times per night, that require me to walk them out.

Lately, they have become a nightly occurrence. My doctor said there is really nothing he can do for me. Might he not be aware of possible treatments?

A: Leg cramps at night are a common problem and may or may not be a serious issue. Most people that come to their doctors with leg cramps think there’s something wrong with their circulation — a reasonable concern that needs to be sorted out with a clinical exam and maybe some testing.

The older we get the more we’re subject to circulation problems, but don’t assume that because you’re older, it is a circulation problem.

Probably the most important thing is to get all of the details: when the pain started, what makes it worse, what makes it better. In this man’s case, it’s an increasing problem over some time period, so that would suggest to me it’s not the sort of thing that you see when people have blood-supply problems.

If he complained that when he went for a walk, he would get leg cramps, you would start thinking about how well or poor his circulation is, particularly if when he rests the cramps go away and he can start walking again.

If he’s a smoker, he could be predisposed to such problems because circulation problems are much more common in older smokers.

Has he injured himself in some way, perhaps started jogging recently and ever since then has been having leg cramps at night?

You can overstretch your calf muscles and describe the pain as cramps, but actually what you’re having is calf pain at night.

Leg cramps can be related to varicose veins, a circulation problem. People with varicose veins have veins that don’t function as efficiently as they used to, so you get pooling of blood that may give you aches or pains that feel like leg cramps.

Exercise tends to be helpful.

By Dr. David Moores, For Canwest News Service

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What are varicose veins and spider veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.

What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Arteries carry blood from the heart towards the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart.

The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. Spider veins can also be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun can also cause spider veins.
Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/varicose-spider-veins.cfm

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We have often been asked to discuss the relationship between varicose veins, spider veins other venous issues and fitness activities. This copyrighted information from RUNNING AND FITNESS NEWS is very interesting reading on the subject.

I am 73 years old and weigh 155 lbs at 5′ 10″. I’ve been running five miles a day since I was 39. Recently I cut it back to four miles (11:00/mile) every other day, working out on Nautilus machines on off-days.

I have had varicose veins since I was 25 and now both legs have bulging veins. I have been told that running won’t make them worse, but in the last few weeks I’ve noticed several new veins emerging in the inner-thigh area. They sting slightly as I near the end of my runs. Would support hose help keep them from getting any worse? Should I continue to run?

Dale Smutz, Danville, IL

Varicose (dilated) veins are common and usually become symptomatic between age 20 and 40.The function of normally operating leg veins is to send blood upward to the heart. These veins have valves that prevent the downward flow of blood. When the valves malfunction and blood flows away from the heart, the veins become dilated. This is usually a slow chronic process, and running is not a problem.

In your case, however, the bulging of the veins in the inner-thigh occurred in a few weeks time and was accompanied by stinging. This is more of an acute process, and potential causes include thrombophlebitis and trauma. It is best to cease running and visit a vascular surgeon for tests. Once an acute problem is ruled out, you may then resume running with an appropriate support hose.

David D. Picascia, M.D., Holmdel, NJ

The veins may seem more prominent during or after running because blood vessels become dilated. In addition to surgical stripping, discuss sclerotherapy with your vascular surgeon. This process consists of injecting the veins with a medication that shrinks them down in size. Aside from support hose there are custom-fitted stockings available which are more expensive and sometimes uncomfortably tight, but work better.

Todd Miller, M.D.I Rob McBane, M.D., Rochester, MN

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Running & Fitness Association
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NHF/is_1_21/ai_98594715/

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The basic cause of varicose veins is linked to an increase in pressure in the vein due to a defective or damaged valve. This damaged valve allows blood to flow backward creating swelling or engorgement of the vein. The reason the valves become defective or damaged however, is still relatively unknown.

The following factors may put one at an increased risk:

Heredity – If someone in your family has had varicose veins, there is an increased possibility that you will develop them as well.

Gender – Females are far more likely to develop spider or varicose veins than males.

Obesity – Excessive weight puts added pressure on your entire circulatory system, including your veins.

Lifestyle – People that lead a more sedentary lifestyle or have an occupation that involves a lot of sitting or standing may be more susceptible to vein disorders.

Injury – An injury could damage veins or valves.

Age – The elasticity in the vein walls decreases as we age, increasing the possibility that veins or valves will have a failure.

Pregnancy – A pregnancy can put additional stress and pressure on veins.

Varicose Vein Causes

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There’s a pretty cool video on youtube about varicose vein procedures. It does contain some graphic medical images.

Dr. Gerant Rivera, Associate Professor of Radiology at UCSD describes how new minimaly invasive techniques in interventional radiology are being used to treat a variety of conditions from aortic aneurysms to varicose veins.

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What happens if I don’t have my varicose veins treated?

The pressure in the backflow of the blood in your legs will probably only get worse over time and it may result in the formation of new varicose or spider veins. Untreated varicose veins may also cause blood clots, leg ulcers, and varicose eczema.

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Can I prevent varicose veins from occurring?

It is doubtful that varicose veins can be prevented but certain actions may limit the progress and symptoms. Routine exercise, maintaining a normal weight, avoiding long periods of sitting or standing, and using compression stockings may all help alleviate symptoms.
http://www.1800varicose.com/frequently_asked_questions.html

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The guardian has a great section on varicose veins. It can be found here.

If you’ve been diagnosed with varicose veins, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask:

Which veins in my legs are causing the problem?
Where are they?
Will my varicose veins get worse?
What might have caused my varicose veins?
Will my varicose veins cause medical problems?
How likely is this?
Are my deep veins healthy?
Do I need to see a specialist?
What treatment choices do I have?
Will treatment make my varicose veins go away?
Will treatment ease my tired, aching legs?
Will my veins come back after treatment?
How likely is this?
How soon will they come back?
Will I get other varicose veins?
What are the risks of injections for varicose veins?
What are the risks of surgery?
If I choose surgery, how will the doctor do the operation?
Will it hurt?
Will I need to take time off work?

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Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial phlebitis) is inflammation and clotting in a superficial vein.

Superficial thrombophlebitis most often affects the superficial veins in the legs but may also affect superficial veins in the groin or in the arms. Superficial thrombophlebitis in the arms usually results from having an intravenous catheter. Often, thrombophlebitis occurs in people with varicose veins. However, most people with varicose veins do not develop thrombophlebitis.

Even a slight injury can cause a varicose vein to become inflamed. Unlike deep vein thrombosis, which causes very little inflammation, superficial thrombophlebitis involves a sudden (acute) inflammatory reaction that causes the thrombus (blood clot) to adhere firmly to the vein wall and lessens the likelihood that it will break loose. Unlike deep veins, superficial veins have no surrounding muscles to squeeze and dislodge a thrombus. For these reasons, superficial thrombophlebitis rarely causes embolism.

Thrombophlebitis that repeatedly occurs in normal veins is called migratory phlebitis or migratory thrombophlebitis. It may indicate a serious underlying disorder, such as cancer of an internal organ. When migratory phlebitis and cancer of an internal organ occur together, the disorder is called Trousseau’s syndrome.

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Question:  Someone has been taking birth control pills for the past several years, and they see the formation of spider veins in their legs. The condition seems to be getting worse.  Are these spider veins caused by the pill and will they lead to a high risk for  varicosities?  The personal information and family history is not: overweight, exercise every day, only family history is a grandmother on my father’s side.  Is the pill causing this and will these minor spider veins disappear when the pill is stopped. 

Answer: The pill sometimes increases spider veins in about 10-20% of women. They likely will not vanish; but, you might do better with a lower estrogen formatted pill.

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