If left untreated, the disorder may lead to poorer heart heath as it may leave patients open to the threat of developing blood clots.

Ilana Portela is a registered nurse with Vein Clinics of America and speaks out on behalf of those with the disease. She is also a varicose veins sufferer herself.

To protect their heart health, "women need to pay special attention to their bodies and speak with a doctor if they experience any pain, swelling and fatigue in the legs," she says.

She also advises that women use available health resources to learn about the condition and feel confident about seeking treatment.

Those with varicose veins may want to try natural blood thinning foods and spices to reduce their risk of blood clots.

The Connective Tissue Disorder website lists some spices that include blood thinning salicylates like ginger, curry powder or peppermint and many fatty fish that are high in omega-3 acids.

Many natural therapies work by strengthening veins, which reduces leakage from vessel walls.

Some sufferers may therefore benefit from muscle-toning moderate exercise regimes or yoga to help veins preserve their natural shape. The cholesterol-lowering effects of exercise may act to boost vein health from within.

Among herbal remedies, the horse chestnut extract is the most commonly used to treat varicose veins.

According to About.com, an informational website, studies have shown the active component in horse chestnut called aescin appears to block the release of enzymes that damage capillary walls.

Other natural remedies include grape seed and pine bark extracts which contain antioxidant complexes that appear to strengthen the connective tissue of blood vessels and reduce inflammation.

Diet can also go a long way towards preventing or helping to mitigate the consequences of varicose veins. Holistic Online, a natural health website, recommends eating whole foods, including fresh fruits, whole grains especially buckwheat and millet, garlic, onions, ginger, and cayenne pepper as well as fish.

Meanwhile, foods to avoid include red meat, fats and refined carbohydrates as well as sugar, salt, alcohol, cheeses and ice cream.

Treatments such as acupuncture and acupressure can help prevent varicose veins form getting worse, while reflexology and massage may alleviate discomfort associated with the condition.

UK researchers tested the two remedies on 267 patients and followed participants for a year with life questionnaires, clinical observation.

They found that leg ulcers, which require the removal of dead tissue from diseased arteries and veins, were as treatable with maggot larva as the hydrogel, with healing completed nine days sooner for patients healed with larva, and dead tissue removal occurring more quickly with the larva.

Although side effects and cost effectiveness were similar, the results showed that larval applications were significantly more painful following the first use, and further research was necessary to delineate what patients were best suited for each treatment.

The creatures may have other medical benefits, as a study from Swansea University in Wales links their secretions to treatments for MRSA and e. coli.

Some have also considered herbal supplements such as Gotu Kola and grape seed in the reduction of varicose veins, which can lead to leg ulcers, because of some studies pointing to their efficacy.

Dr. Robert Weiss, president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, has given some advice about how to respond to the condition.

"Spider veins may be inevitable for some people," he explained. "However, there are many preventative measures and medical techniques available to diminish the appearance and pain associated with these vein conditions."

For example, Weiss suggested that staying active – through walking, cycling, swimming or other activities – can help the blood continue to circulate and prevent pooling.

If you must stand or sit for long periods, it may be best to change positions regularly or simply flex the calf muscles to encourage blood flow, he said.

Some sufferers have found compression stockings to be among the most effective health resources for dealing with varicose veins because they ensure pressure is evenly distributed. However, Weiss warned against constricting certain body parts, such as the waist and groin.

However, if your legs are already afflicted with the blue, spidery veins, you may be able to remove them without spending the night at a hospital, the latest Mayo Clinic newsletter claims.

Experts from the clinic say that patients have the option of destroying the veins themselves without interfering with blood flow by choosing from some treatments with high success rates.

For example, sclorotherapy involves the injection of smaller veins with a liquid or form that causes them to close off over the course of several treatments.

Meanwhile, lasers that give off fast and intense pulses of light can be moved across the legs, heating veins and closing them off.

According to the National Institutes of Health, varicose veins affect around 50 percent of people over the age of 50. They arise when valves that control blood flow in the veins cease to work properly, causing blood to pool and enlarge the veins.

Michael Wager, president of the German Vein Association, told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that spider veins may indicate the presence of "deeper and hence unseen" varicose veins – which can lead to inflammation or impaired circulation.

Varicose veins develop when valves within the veins become weakened or damaged and cannot perform their function of preventing blood from flowing backwards into the legs.

Aging, family history, pregnancy and obesity are all risk factors for varicose veins.

Wagner said that women should seek treatment "immediately" if they notice any symptoms of the condition.

"Discomfort such as a feeling of heaviness in the legs, tiredness, itching or also a dragging pain [may] occur at very different moments in the course of the illness," he explained.

Those who are suffering from circulation problems may want to consider trying an herbal supplement that contains nattokinase, a Japanese ingredient that has been linked to circulatory health.