The right choice of compression garments to protect your blood vessels

compression stockings for varicose veins

Varicose veins continue to conquer the world.

It may have already arrived at your home. If not, it could happen in the future.

Remember that in developed countries of Europe and North America, varicose veins affect up to 35% of adults. In addition, with age, the number of patients only increases.

How to be?

Visit a venologist. He will prescribe treatment and probably advise you to buy linen for varicose veins. We will talk about him later.

Do you think varicose veins are not dangerous?

Let's see if that is the case.

Varicose veins- It is an enlargement of the veins of the legs, which occurs due to the weakening of the venous valves. Disrupts blood circulation.

Surprisingly, the disease itself is not life-threatening for patients. Yes, it is inconvenient. For example, with varicose veins, symptoms appear:

  • Edema
  • Itching and burning
  • Tired legs
  • Discoloration of the skin
  • Convulsions
  • Vascular cobweb

It does not sound scary. Not surprisingly, many people ignore the symptoms of the disease for years, and sometimes decades.

We understand why they do this. But that does not mean that these people are right.

The main danger with varicose veins are not symptoms, but complications.

Food ulcers - necrosis of certain areas of the skin due to circulatory disorders. Such defects take a long time to heal. Ulcers are more likely to recur after treatment.

Blood clots are blood clots that appear when the vessel wall is damaged. They are useful in some cases. For example, if you cut yourself, blood clots will prevent heavy bleeding.

There are less pleasant examples.

When the venous walls are damaged, blood clots accumulate on them. The problem is that they block the flow of blood and damage the supply to nearby tissues.

But even that is not so bad.

When blood clots break and move in the body along with the blood, real games with death begin. If blood clots enter the heart or brain and clog blood vessels there, the patient may die.

After such varicose veins no longer seem to be a harmless disease.

Of course, the disease does not kill in a few days. Dangerous complications sometimes appear only after a few years, but this does not mean that there is no need for treatment. See your doctor as soon as possible.

An integrated approach is used to combat varicose veins. This means that it is impossible to get rid of diseased blood vessels only with the help of medication or exercise. Even treating varicose veins with a sock compressor will not solve the problem on its own. But it will become an important part of the treatment and will alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

You may not think that underwear will help you. Finally, how does knitting relate to pottery?

We will tell you about it now.

Healing pressure - how compression garments help blood vessels

Dilated veins do not pump blood well to the heart. The knit puts pressure on certain areas of the feet. This improves blood circulation and reduces stress on the venous walls.

Varicose veins underwear create a kind of frame around the vessels. This support prevents the weak veins from expanding and keeps their walls in good condition.

The choice of compressive force depends on the area of the foot. For example, maximum pressure jersey is commonly used on the ankles. In this area, blood begins to rise to the heart and it takes a lot of effort to overcome the force of gravity.

But on the hips, the jersey is used with a pressure of 40% of the maximum. Here, the blood in the veins moves more easily and does not need strong support.

Consult a venologist for the right compression garment. An improperly selected jersey will not help your boats, but it will damage them.

Here are the situations in which certain types of underwear are used.

Types of compression socks

types of compression stockings

In order for anti-varicose underwear to have a beneficial effect on the veins, you need to choose them correctly. We are talking about medical devices that are not always useful for blood vessels. Again, excessive pressure from the clothes will only worsen the condition of the veins.

If you buy a vein treatment for varicose veins, then first go to a doctor. It will check the condition of the blood vessels and determine which compression garment is right for you.

It is divided into 3 basic types:

  • Socks
  • Tights
  • Knee socks

The choice of knitwear depends on the location of the affected veins, your lifestyle and other factors.

We will talk about the benefits of socks, tights and golf further.

Compression socks

This is the name of a product for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins. It is used mainly in the early stages of the disease. Anti-varicose socks tightly wrap the legs and press against the walls of blood vessels, improving blood circulation. They also:

  • Prevents blood clots
  • Relieve swelling
  • Relieve pain after prolonged standing
  • Protects against varicose veins

Knitted socks for the treatment of varicose veins are also used during pregnancy. When carrying a child, the vessels in a woman's body are exposed to great pressure and often swell. Therefore, for 2-3 trimesters, doctors advise pregnant women to wear these underwear.

Compression socks are flexible. They help varicose veins even above the knee, but are more comfortable to wear than tights.

Compression tights

This type of jersey completely covers the feet from the toes to the waist. Varicose vein tights do not slip when walking and are worn comfortably. However, you must remember that you have to take them out several times during the day and this takes time.

This underwear is often recommended for pregnant women as it not only protects the veins, but also supports the abdomen.

If blood vessel problems have spread over the hips, anti-varicose tights will help better than socks or high knees. Their functions:

  • Improving blood circulation
  • Muscular foot massage
  • Venous wall support
  • Elimination of excess lymph fluid

Compression stockings are used to prevent and treat varicose veins. They are also prescribed for recovery from foot surgery.

Knee compression

Varicose socks are prescribed for people with diseased veins in the lower legs. If you have problems with blood vessels below the knees, then such underwear will help you.

They do not restrict movement. Therefore, in golf you can practice or walk. Many take them with them on their travels.

This underwear performs the following functions:

  • It constricts the blood vessels
  • Strengthens the venous walls
  • Removes swelling

Anti-varicose socks are worn comfortably under clothing. If necessary, they can be removed quickly, for example, during a doctor's examination.

Remember - the effectiveness of the knit depends on how much it presses on your feet. These are the so-called compression classes. We will talk about them further.

Categories of knits against varicose veins

categories of knits against varicose veins

The compression class of the garment is measured in millimeters of mercury or mmHg. Art. As we have already said, the pressure is maximum on the legs. Decreases from bottom to top. Therefore, the top of the jersey hardly presses the legs.

There are 4 categories of compression:

1st class: Pressure from 18 to 22 mmHg. Art. It is used to prevent varicose veins and treat the early stages of the disease.

2nd class: Pressure from 23 to 32 mmHg. Art. It is prescribed for the treatment of 2nd degree varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. Wear it and your ulcers will heal faster.

3rd class: Pressure from 33 to 45 mmHg. Art. Doctors prescribe this underwear to patients with eating disorders and venous insufficiency.

4th grade: Pressure from 46 to 50 mmHg. Art. Such knits help to fight lymphostasis and edema in case of varicose veins complications. It is often prescribed after surgery.

You can buy knitwear yourself for prevention, without consulting a venologist. It does not tighten its legs too much and will not hurt. But underwear of categories 2-4 should be selected only by a doctor.

How to choose compression garments to avoid varicose veins

If you are going to buy knits to prevent varicose veins, then start by taking a measurement. When you wake up, do not get out of bed. Immediately measure the circumference of your calf, thigh and ankle. You also need to know the length of the leg and foot. When buying underwear, these measurements will come in handy.

Choose knee-high socks or tights based on the location of the problematic veins. If it is below the knees, it will suit you up to the knee. To stop the development of varicose veins in the upper legs, buy socks or leggings against varicose veins.

Pay attention to the fabric of the knit. Give preference to cotton products - they are easy to wear and comfortable. Some manufacturers produce underwear with antibacterial and antifungal coatings. It will not bother you with an unpleasant odor.

Manufacturers produce a wide range of compression stockings. You just have to choose socks, tights or knee-high that suits you.

Postoperative care - how much to wear knits after treatment

If you have late stage varicose veins and have had vascular surgery, then for complete recovery you must wear special underwear. The venologist will tell you how long you need to walk on it.

Do not break the knitting routine.

Remember, your doctor prescribed this underwear for some reason. The effectiveness of the treatment depends directly on whether you wear knitwear or not.

Imagine for a second you were transposed into the karmic driven world of Earl. It looks like it's okay.

But this is not the case.

The shirt closes the wound left after the operation. Prevents air entry and prevents blood poisoning. Underwear also protects blood vessels from the formation of blood clots.

Do not risk your health. You have already undergone surgery and now full recovery does not depend on the doctor. Spend a few months and you can return to a full life with healthy veins.

The venologist decides how long the jersey will be worn. You can not take off your clothes for a long time without consulting him.

We will tell you in detail how much to wear compression stockings after phlebectomy and sclerotherapy.

After miniflectomy

After the operation, the treated foot should be covered with an elastic jersey. It has been shown to reduce intradermal bleeding and pain. Also, special underwear helps prevent venous thrombosis.

Compression stockings after a miniflectomy should be worn for at least a week. The maximum period is 6 weeks. During this period, knitwear of the 2nd category is usually assigned, but it is pointless to use it further. Class 1 linen is sufficient to support boats.

After sclerotherapy

The condition for using compression stockings depends on the number of treated vessels. For example, if a doctor treated 1-2 veins, then you should only wear socks or tights for 3-4 months. During this period, new, healthy blood vessels will appear.

If the venologist has treated 5-6 veins, you will need more time to walk with category 2 knits, up to 6 months. The doctor will then perform an examination and if the recovery is successful, you will be allowed to use lower compression underwear.

7 signs that you should wear compression stockings

Such underwear is useful not only for varicose veins. We recommend that you consider buying a precautionary t-shirt if you have any of these signs:

  • Excess weight
  • Pregnancy
  • Vascular asterisks
  • Heavy loads on the legs
  • Passive lifestyle
  • Diabetes
  • Predisposition to vascular disease

With obesity, elastic stockings from varicose veins help you lose weight faster. They remove excess fluid, smooth the folds of fat and tone the skin.

For pregnant women, underwear helps support the abdominal muscles. This prevents many problems, such as uterine prolapse.

To whom it is contraindicated to wear compression stockings

Unfortunately, not all people can benefit from the benefits of special vein underwear. In some diseases, this is dangerous. Here is a list of them:

  • Severe vascular disease and diabetic polyneuropathy
  • Food ulcers not related to vascular disease
  • Acute soft tissue infection
  • Cardiopulmonary insufficiency
  • Septic varicose veins

Another treatment of varicose veins with socks is contraindicated for people with chronic diseases of the arteries of the legs, if the upper pressure drops below 80 mm Hg. Art.

Extension of knitted life - rules of care

If you want varicose vein compression underwear to serve you until you recover, you need to take good care of it. For example, it must be washed daily.

You may ask: 'Why, because I do not soil it? ».

Even so, dust accumulates in the socks during the day. In addition, dead skin cells settle on them. So you can not do without washing.

Use baby soap or other products made for delicate fabrics. Wash your clothes by hand.

But what you can not do with it:

  • Boiling
  • Squeeze out
  • Dry on a horizontal surface

This will damage the socks and make them useless for treatment.

By following these simple rules, you can use a jersey until you recover.

If you have read this far, you may have learned a lot about compression garments. It remains to be seen where they will help you choose it.

Doctors will quickly diagnose and select the compression sock

If you have to choose underwear not for prevention, but for the treatment of varicose veins, then you can not do without the help of a venologist. We suggest you make an appointment with a specialized clinic.

The doctor will examine the medical history and perform an examination. He will then perform ultrasound diagnostics - showing diseased blood vessels down to the smallest detail.

Once diagnosed, your doctor will determine if you need knitwear, and if so, which one. To choose it, the doctor must know the size and shape of the foot, as well as your daily routine.

To learn how to buy compression stockings, just consult a venologist at the medical center.