On to some health news...
Varicose veins can cause a lot of pain and grief,... especially in the summer... when people walk around a lot... wearing shorts and skirts in particular.
Our Sohn Jung-in tells us... how the condition can be prevented... by making *small fashion changes.
Summer is the season for shorts and short skirts... but there are some who won't even consider that as an option, for fear of exposing their legs due to lumpy, dark blue veins visible beneath the surface.
Varicose veins are developed when valves and veins are weakened or damaged.
That disrupts blood from flowing up toward the heart.
The blood then collects in the veins, causing them to become swollen and twisted.
The condition is often hereditary, but other factors like aging, pregnancy or standing up for long periods of time can also contribute to the problem.
Women, whose hormones tend to relax the walls of veins, are more likely to be affected than men,... especially women in their 50s.
But recently, more younger women are visiting the doctor complaining of the issue.
According to data, the number of female patients in their 20s here in Korea surged 5 percent on average every year from 2007 to 2012.
Doctors say it is important to prevent varicose veins in the early stages by wearing elastic compression stockings to improve blood flow.
They also advise people not to cross their legs when sitting for a long period of time.
"In some cases, simple laser treatment or sclerotherapy can effectively treat varicose veins. It leaves no scars so that people can regain confidence."
Standing in place and rising up on the balls of the feet can help strengthen the calf muscles to better push blood to the heart.
Sohn Jung-in, Arirang News.
