Varicose veins are one of the most pressing problems of modern man that everyone can face due to age, professional employment and many other reasons. Of course, even if you have the slightest suspicion of developing varicose veins, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, who will diagnose and prescribe treatment.
To achieve maximum effect, conservative treatment requires an integrated approach that includes the use of medications, physiotherapy, massage, and so on. Also part of the treatment is wearing the special compression garments that will be discussed.
Use of compression clothing
Before you talk about why you need compression underwear, you need to understand what varicose veins are, only then will the principle of operation of special stockings, stockings and golfs become clear.
The veins are the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Varicose veins are a disease in which these blood vessels undergo a number of pathological changes. In particular, the veins lengthen and dilate, their walls become thinner, and the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of vascular nodules.
In addition, in the case of varicose veins, the venous valves, which are designed to allow blood to circulate to the heart (upwards), cease to function. Insufficient valves and deformity of the venous bed lead to stagnation of the blood, which in turn causes an increase in pressure in the blood vessels, a process called varicose veins.
The principle of compression created by special underwear is to put pressure on the dilated vessels from the outside. Compression of enlarged superficial veins causes redistribution of blood flow to the deep blood vessels. Because of this, the overload is removed from patients who are unable to function normally and blood circulation is restored.
Properly selected underwear puts different pressure on each part of the foot. It looks something like this:
- The greatest degree of compression is in the lower part of the limb, the lower part of 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 fall even further, and so on, depending on the type of underwear and the extent of the disease.
Such an approximate diagram shows that the pressure at the lowest section should be higher because the movement of blood in this area through the veins requires much more effort, i. e. , more pressure. As the blood rises higher, the intravenous pressure gradually decreases, and accordingly the load on the veins is relieved.
Properly selected compression underwear improves blood circulation, allowing the patient to improve his condition with varicose veins, to get rid of stagnant processes in the blood vessels. At the same time, they provide the most natural conditions for blood movement, making this maintenance therapy completely safe.
Indications
If we talk about in which cases they indicate the wearing of compression underwear, then the answer is mainly one - varicose veins. This means that from the first stage of the pathological process to the most difficult - the third stage - doctors prescribe the use of such underwear.
But compression underwear may also be needed to prevent varicose veins if the disease is suspected. In general, the following more specific indications can be distinguished:
- Pregnancy;
- Prevention of the disease, especially in the presence of factors predisposing to its development;
- Diagnosed varicose veins - as part of a comprehensive treatment and to prevent it;
- Postoperative period - if surgeries have been performed to eliminate severe forms of varicose veins.
Contraindications
Although this method of prevention and treatment is safe and harmless, there are several contraindications to wearing compression underwear:
- Severe forms of venous thrombosis, which often develop in the last stage of varicose progression;
- Active inflammatory processes in the lower extremities of various etiologies, especially purulent;
- Aortoarteritis;
- Endoarteritis;
- Trophic ulcers;
- Arteriosclerosis;
- Skin damage.
It is also very important to select the right compression products. The underwear should fit the patient and should not press on the foot under any circumstances as this will lead to numbness, even more severe circulatory disorders and deformity of the lower extremities.
However, large garments, i. e. , too loose, do not provide the required compression, and the therapeutic effect is negligible or reduced to zero.
Types of compression underwear
Depending on the situation in which the compression underwear is used, depending on the nature of the pathological process, the extent and scale of its progression, and a number of individual factors, your doctor may prescribe a specific type of underwear. You can traditionally divide the attributes needed to create a compression into 4 types:
- Tights- the most common and most effective type of decoration that has a compression effect. To choose the right size tights, you need to make sure you reach the waist, not higher or lower. Also, don't be too loose, but be careful not to pinch your legs, hips, or waist. Patients believe that the tights are easy to remove, but they should make an effort to put them on, evenly distributing the product made from the compression tights. One of the main advantages of tights is that there are special models for women in position.
- Stockings- is in principle similar to tights, but only reaches the middle of the thigh (the same criterion guarantees the correct size) and can in no way help during pregnancy. In other words, the stockings were designed exclusively for the legs, limited to the thighs. In addition, even with the right product, many patients complain that stockings tend to slip during the day. Not only is this less convenient, but it negatively affects the distribution of compression.
- Knitted hat- is intended primarily for cases where the varicose veins particularly affect the tibia of the foot without rising. Knee-length pants, like special socks, are used more often by men, but there are also female models. In addition, this type of underwear is more suitable for sports because tights partially impede movement in the waist area, which is unacceptable when performing certain exercises.
- Flexible knitting- does not apply to underwear, but is still a compression product. The good thing about knitting is that you don’t have to choose it by size, it’s suitable for people of any body size, and it’s a much cheaper option. It is sufficient to bind the affected areas to use it, but in this case it is extremely important to clearly distribute the stress to ensure the necessary compression, this factor is a serious drawback.
Note!Underwear for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins is made of special compression stockings. This material is flexible and initially includes a strict classification, i. e. compaction and sizing. To choose your underwear, it is important that you consult a doctor and only buy it at a pharmacy.
Usage characteristics
The main advantage of stockings, tights and golf is that when you buy it, you immediately get a product that is guaranteed to perform its functions (provided you choose the right size). This means that it is enough to simply put on the underwear, distribute it evenly and then have a healing effect.
Tights, stockings, knee pants and socks can be worn all day regardless of the type of work. However, it is still important to consult a phlebologist on this issue, who will give precise recommendations on the duration of wear and the complexity of use, as each case of the disease is unique.
In addition, in order for the garment to last for a long time, it must be handled properly:
- Wear it carefully so as not to damage the compression stockings.
- Underwear should only be worn on dry skin (if you have used the cream before, wait until it is completely absorbed).
- If you want to wear stockings, tights, or knee height evenly, first put your hands in it and then distribute it evenly and gradually on your feet.
- In addition, experts recommend that you wear underwear in the morning after waking up, ie before getting out of bed.
Using a bandage
Flexible knitting is a cheaper and at the same time modest tool. However, for proper use, it is important to master at least the basics of the limb ligation technique for varicose veins. To do this, you should follow the recommendations below:
- The bandage is rolled from the bottom up, starting from the foot, from the toes and then from the ankle, going upwards. Depending on the nature and prevalence of the varicose veins, you can start the lower part of the lower leg without affecting the foot.
- Apply the strips slightly overlapping, this is maximum efficiency, and this technique also prevents the bond from slipping or unwinding.
- If the leg is wrapped, when they approach the leg portion, the heel remains free and the loop is crossed at the junction between the ankle and the leg.
- Do not overtighten the spool of bandage, it should be collected, placed almost near the foot so as not to cause excessive tension.
- Keep in mind that the compression should be higher on the lower leg and the tension will gradually decrease as you ascend.
There is a way to check that the bandage has been applied correctly. Immediately after packing, the toes will be cyanotic, which should go away in 2-3 minutes. If there was no cyanosis at all, the bandage is rolled up too loosely, if the effect persists, you have achieved too strong compression, unwind the bandage, massage your foot, and try again.