What are varicose veins of the lower extremities? Varicose veins of the lower extremities are the clinical manifestations of worm-like protrusion, dilatation and tortuosity of the superficial veins of the lower extremities caused by a variety of different etiologies; venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, sequelae of deep vein thrombosis, and arteriovenous fistulas can all have the manifestation of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Early manifestations are soreness and swelling of limbs and discomfort, superficial venous tortuosity into clusters, with the progress of the disease can appear pruritus, pigmentation, desquamation, liposclerosis and even ulceration and thrombotic superficial phlebitis. Therefore it is both a clinical manifestation and a disease. Grading according to clinical manifestations grade c0: is symptomatic without signs of venous disease. Grade c1: is capillary dilatation with reticular veins visible. Grade c2: is superficial varicose veins with tortuous earthworm-like veins visible. Grade c3: is venous edema, which is manifested as concave edema of the ankle. Grade c4: is skin dystrophy with hyperpigmentation and eczema up to scleroderma complications have developed. Grade c5: skin dystrophy with ulcers that have healed. Grade c6: skin dystrophy, ulcers have not healed and need to be treated with medication changes. What should you do if you have varicose veins? If the clinical manifestation is c2 or higher, you need to seek medical attention and choose medication or surgical intervention under the guidance of your doctor. However, prevention of varicose veins in the lower extremities should be carried out throughout, whether the varicose veins are below grade c2, or in patients treated with medication at the same time or after surgical intervention. The principle of preventive therapy is to improve venous function and reduce venous load, including exercise therapy and compression therapy. 1.Exercise therapy: standing and sitting for a long time is the cause and aggravation of varicose veins, because the calf sagging, lack of muscle activity, can not play the role of calf “muscle pump” “ankle pump”, causing poor venous reflux. Exercise therapy is based on changing the position and increasing muscle contraction. (1) Body position: lower limb elevated above the level of the heart, through the effect of gravity, increase venous return. (2) Ankle pump exercise method: lying down, sitting or standing position, lower limb extended, thigh relaxed, slowly hook up the toe, try to make the toe towards oneself, hold it for 10 seconds until the maximum, then slowly press down the toe, hold it for 10 seconds until the maximum, then relax. 2.Compression therapy: local bottom-up pressure is given to the lower extremities to promote the venous blood return to the lower extremities, which can relieve or improve varicose veins in the lower extremities, including varicose veins compression stockings, elastic bandages, pneumatic circulation drive therapy device. 3, in addition, long time sitting or standing, cross-legged, “cross legs”, etc., can affect the lower limb blood return, should try to avoid. Obesity is not a direct trigger, but the force of weight pressed on the legs to increase the burden of venous return to the lower limbs, so obese people need to lose weight. Hot water foot soak can temporarily relieve the discomfort of the limbs, but the increased water temperature will expand the arterial blood vessels and increase the burden of reflux, long time hot water foot soak will instead appear or aggravate edema, so varicose veins patients should avoid hot water foot soak and local hot compress.