Varicose veins are one of the most pressing problems of a modern person, which anyone can face due to age, professional occupation and many other reasons. Of course, with the slightest suspicion of developing varicose veins, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will diagnose and prescribe treatment.
To achieve maximum results, conservative treatment involves a holistic approach, which includes the use of medication, physiotherapy, massage and more. Also part of the treatment is the use of special compression garments, which will be discussed.
Application of compression garments
Before talking about why you need compression underwear, you need to understand what constitutes varicose veins, only then will the principle of operation of special socks, tights and golf become clear.
Veins are the vessels that supply blood to the heart. Varicose veins are a disease in which these vessels undergo a series of pathological changes. In particular, the veins elongate and expand, their walls become thinner and the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of vascular nodules.
In addition, varicose veins disrupt the function of the venous valves, which are designed so that blood can circulate to the heart (upwards). Insufficiency of the valves and deformation of the venous bed leads to stagnation of blood, which in turn causes an increase in pressure inside the vessels, this process is called varicose veins.
The principle of compression created by specialized underwear is to put pressure on the dilated vessels from the outside. Compression of the dilated superficial veins causes redistribution of blood flow, directing it to the deep vessels. Because of this, the overload is removed from patients who are unable to function normally and blood circulation is restored.
Properly selected underwear exerts different pressure on certain parts of the foot. It looks something like this:
- The highest degree of compression is in the lower extremity, in the lower leg.
- In the middle of the lower leg, the compression is 30% lower, which is 70% of the maximum compression.
- Closer to the knee, these indicators decrease even more, and so on, depending on the type of underwear and the extent of the disease.
Such an approximate diagram shows that in the lower part, the pressure must be higher due to the fact that the movement of blood through the veins in this area requires much more effort, i. e. more pressure. As the blood rises higher, the intravenous pressure gradually decreases, consequently, the load from the veins decreases.
Properly selected compression underwear improves blood circulation, allowing you to improve the condition of the patient with varicose veins, get rid of stagnant procedures in the blood vessels. At the same time, the most natural conditions for blood circulation are provided, thanks to which this method of maintenance treatment is completely safe.
Indications
If we talk about which cases it is appropriate to wear compression underwear, the answer is mainly one - varicose veins. This means that from the first stage of the development of the pathological process and ending with the most difficult - the third stage, doctors prescribe the use of such underwear.
Compression underwear may also be needed to prevent varicose veins if this disease is suspected. In general, the following, more specific indications can be distinguished:
- Pregnancy;
- Prevention of the disease, especially in the presence of factors that predispose to its development.
- Diagnosed varicose veins - as part of a comprehensive treatment and in order to prevent its development.
- Postoperative period - if surgeries were performed to eliminate severe forms of varicose veins.
Contraindications
Despite the safety and harmlessness of this method of prevention and treatment, there are many contraindications to the use of compression underwear:
- Severe forms of venous thrombosis, which often develop in the final stages of varicose veins.
- Active inflammatory processes in the lower extremities of various etiologies, especially purulent.
- Aortoarthritis?
- Endoarthritis?
- Food ulcers.
- Atherosclerosis?
- Skin damage.
It is also very important to choose the right compression products. Underwear should fit the patient and in no case should it press on the legs, as this leads to numbness, even more serious circulatory disorders and even deformity of the lower extremities.
At the same time, large clothes, ie very loose, will not provide the necessary compression, respectively, the therapeutic effect will be insignificant or will be reduced to zero.
Types of compression underwear
Depending on the condition in which the compression underwear is used, the nature, the degree of progression of the pathological process, its scale, as well as a number of individual factors, the doctor may prescribe a specific type of underwear. You can conventionally divide the compression characteristics into 4 types:
- Tights- the most common and very effective type of decoration that has a compression effect. To choose the right size tights, you need to make sure they reach the middle, not higher or lower. In addition, they should not be too loose, but at the same time, make sure that they do not sting your legs, hips, waist. According to patient reviews, tights can be easily removed, but in the process of fitting them, you have to make an effort to evenly distribute the compression tights product. One of the main advantages of tights is that there are special models for women in position.
- Socks- similar in principle to tights, but only reach the middle of the thigh (the same criterion is a guarantee of the right size), and also in no case can not help during pregnancy. In other words, the socks are designed exclusively for the feet, limited to the thigh. In addition, even with the right product, many patients complain that their socks tend to slip during the day. This is not only less convenient, but also negatively affects the compression distribution.
- Knee socks- are intended mainly for those cases where the varicose veins affect the special part of the tibia, without rising higher. Knees, like special socks, are more commonly used by men, but there are also female models. In addition, this type of underwear is more suitable for sports, because the tights partially prevent movement in the waist area, which is unacceptable when performing certain exercises.
- Elastic bandage- does not apply to underwear, but is still a compression product. The good thing about the bandage is that it does not have to be selected depending on the size, it is also suitable for people of any body size and is a much cheaper option. To use it, it is enough to bandage the affected areas, but in this case it is extremely important to clearly distribute the volume to provide the necessary compression, this factor is a serious drawback.
Note!Underwear for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins are made of special compression tights. This material is elastic and also initially implies a strict classification, i. e. division according to the degree of compression and size. To choose underwear, it is important to consult a doctor and buy it only from a pharmacy.
Features of use
The main advantage of tights, socks and golfs is the fact that when you buy them, you immediately get a product that is guaranteed to fulfill its functions (if you choose the right size). This means that it is enough to just wear the underwear, to distribute them evenly, after which it will begin to have a healing effect.
Tights, socks, knees and socks can be worn all day, regardless of the type of work. However, in this matter, it is still important to consult a venologist, who will give accurate recommendations on the duration of wear and complications of use, because each case of the disease is unique.
In addition, in order for the washing machine to last a long time, you must handle it properly:
- Wear carefully to avoid damaging the compression tights.
- Wearing underwear should only be on dry skin (if you have used the cream before, wait until it is completely absorbed).
- To wear tights, socks or knee-high uniforms, first put your hand inside, then spread evenly and gradually on your foot.
- Experts also recommend wearing underwear in the morning immediately after waking up, ie before getting out of bed.
Using a bandage
The elastic bandage is a cheaper and at the same time unpretentious tool. However, for its proper use, it is important to master at least the basics of the technical bandaging of the limbs for varicose veins. To do this, you must follow these recommendations:
- The bandage is wrapped from bottom to top, starting from the foot, from the toes, after the ankle, moving higher. Depending on the nature and prevalence of the varicose veins, you can start from the bottom of the lower leg, without affecting the foot.
- Apply the strips slightly overlapping, this is the maximum performance and this technique will also prevent the bandage from slipping or unrolling.
- If the foot is wrapped, when you move to the tibia, the heel remains free and at the junction between the ankle and the tibia, the loop is placed crosswise.
- Do not twist the bandage roll too much, it should be collected, it should be close to the foot, so as not to create too much tension.
- Remember that the compression should be higher in the lower leg and the tension will gradually decrease during the ascent.
There is a way to check if the bandage was applied correctly. Immediately after wrapping, the toes become cyanotic, which should disappear after 2-3 minutes. If there was no cyanosis at all, the bandage is wrapped very loosely, if the effect persists, you have reached a very strong compression, unwrap the bandage, massage your foot and try again.