Vienna.
This is half of the circulatory system.
It is also a concern for millions of people around the world.
Vascular diseases are widespread. Scientists estimate that up to 15% of middle-aged men and 30% of women suffer from varicose veins - an enlargement of the venous system. The proportion of patients with venous disease among the elderly is even higher.
Therefore, many people seek medical attention to treat swollen blood vessels. Sometimes with surgery. In other cases, conservative therapy with medication, sports and special underwear.
We will talk later about socks for varicose veins. At this time, we will assess the danger and possible complications of the disease.
Varicose veins can affect any part of the venous system, but the favorite target is the leg veins.
It is easy to explain the weakness of the arteries.
When blood flows from the arteries to the organs, it moves mainly downwards. That is, gravity helps blood flow, and therefore there is no accumulation of blood in the arteries. It flows from the arteries to the legs. Blood rises back from the veins. At this point, problems begin - gravity slows blood flow, and part of the blood is constantly trying to flow.
The situation is not terrible. Yes, blood circulation in the arteries is difficult, but the body has protective mechanisms against such disorders.
Venous valves grow inside the arteries, blocking the flow of blood and returning it to the bloodstream. Muscles also help blood flow. It narrows and presses on the arteries, resulting in improved blood circulation.
Blood flow in the patient's veins is impaired. This happens for various reasons:
- Inactivity for a long time
- Obesity
- Old age
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal imbalance
In varicose veins, the valves are generally weakened or damaged. For this reason, blood collects in certain areas of the arteries, causing them to dilate by pressing on the venous walls.
Symptoms are not severe at first:
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs
- Blue or purple veins appear on the skin
- Convulsions
- Edema
- Skin discoloration
- Itching and burning in the veins
Such symptoms of the disease are often not noticeable, and sometimes people just get used to them. Thus, they allow the development of varicose veins.
Yes, more severe symptoms can take years. However, without treatment, complications are inevitable and not as harmless as the first manifestations of varicose veins.
Consequences of varicose veins:
- Trophic ulcers. . . Incurable wounds near the patient's veins. Tissues do not receive the necessary nutrients and gradually die. One of the symptoms of ulcers is whitening of the skin. You should see a doctor as soon as possible to stop the development of complications.
- Bleeding. . . Dilated superficial veins sometimes rupture. Bleeding from such vessels is not very strong, but medical help is still needed.
- Blood clot. . . Dilated arteries are a comfortable environment for blood clots, which doctors call blood clots. These formations impede blood circulation. They also sometimes come out and can get into the lungs with blood. This phenomenon is called pulmonary embolism and often leads to respiratory failure and even death.
The more advanced the disease, the higher the risk of complications. Another problem is that advanced varicose veins generally cannot be removed with conservative treatment and surgery is required.
It is easier to deal with this early. Complex treatment using socks against varicose veins shows excellent results. These underwear are also useful to prevent disease.
What are compression stockings for?
This shape improves blood circulation in the legs. As a result, the pain and swelling that many people worry about are reduced. Underwear also helps against more serious diseases, such as reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and the possibility of blood clots.
Elastic socks for varicose veins are made of a special material that stretches well and fits the foot. The form gently squeezes the veins. In general, underwear exerts the strongest pressure on the ankle, and the pressure decreases when the foot is raised.
Doctors prescribe compression stockings for various purposes:
- Vascular support
- Prevention of blood clots
- Prevention of trophic ulcers
- Coping with venous hypertension
- Improving lymphatic drainage
When knitwear hits ships, it has several positive effects:
- Reduces the diameter of blood vessels. . . Blood flows faster through narrow veins. For this reason, it rarely accumulates in one place and almost never coagulates.
- Improves blood flow. . . Thanks to the additional pressure, blood flow is accelerated and goes faster from the feet to the heart.
- Prevents bleeding. . . Despite its gravitational pull, blood rarely flows down the arteries and does not fill the connecting arteries.
Some athletes even use compression stockings in their workouts. For example, runners and basketball players. Underwear protects tissues from damage and accelerates the delivery of oxygen to the muscles. After training, muscles recover faster.
Of course, the formation of socks for varicose veins can not be considered a magical work that will save you from any problems with blood vessels. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Like other medications, compression stockings are not good for everyone.
Indications and contraindications for wearing compression underwear
Do not buy tight-fitting socks yourself. First go to your doctor and check what form you need.
Learn the size. Compression ratio. And other features of underwear that you will wear for months.
Buying knitwear without a doctor's advice can damage blood vessels. For example, socks are very tight, and as a result, the blood circulation in the arteries is further disrupted. The result is a deterioration in the condition of ships.
Sign up for a consultation with a phlebologist regarding the choice of compression underwear. Also look at the indications and contraindications of such socks.
Indicators
Doctors prescribe underwear to lose weight due to disease:
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Flebeurysm
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Lymphedema
- Phlebitis
- Lipodermatosclerosis
Also, the form is sometimes prescribed to healthy people at risk for vascular disease. There is a need for socks:
- During pregnancy. . . The body of the expectant mother is under great stress. Hormonal balance is disturbed. As a result, the venous walls weaken and often dilate. The amount of blood in the body also increases. According to the child. Increased blood volume greatly increases the load on the vessel walls. Knitwear helps maintain the normal shape of the arteries under such strong pressure.
- Due to increased stress on the legs. . . Here, many people have to stand for a long time, and therefore the pressure on the arteries of the lower extremities increases. Often, tension can cause varicose veins. Underwear supports veins. Thus, people who spend the whole working day on their feet remain healthy.
- With a sedentary lifestyle. . . The less a person moves, the harder it is for blood vessels to bleed. Muscles do not work and do not improve blood circulation, so blood often collects and dilates blood vessels. Knitwear stops swelling of blood vessels.
- After vascular surgery. . . The success of surgical treatment largely depends on the patient's recovery. At the end of the procedure, the doctor prescribes knitwear. It should definitely be worn on the table, because any violation of the regime can lead to recurrence of the disease.
Choosing the right elastic clothing is very important. Phlebologists prescribe a certain amount of compression and class knitwear according to the disease and the patient's risk factors.
Contraindications
Compression stockings are completely safe for most people. There are only a few limitations:
- Peripheral artery disease is suspected or already diagnosed
- Severe peripheral neuropathy
- Extensive leg or pulmonary edema after heart failure
- Allergy to knitted fabric
- Skin and soft tissue problems: gangrene, dermatitis, severe cellulite
Individual patients simply cannot wear elastic underwear effectively.
Sometimes only temporarily. For example, they have sores on their feet and have to wait for them to heal.
In other cases it is permanent. Compression stockings will not work for feet with an unusual shape or deformation. It simply does not close its limbs properly and will therefore be useless against vascular diseases.
How to choose compression stockings
The elastic shape against varicose veins covers models of different lengths. Some cover their feet completely. Others are just up to the knee. It depends on the purpose of the compression stocking.
An important feature of linen is the pressure, which directly affects the efficiency of knitting. Socks should fit snugly around the feet, but not hurt.
Some models are specifically designed for patients undergoing surgery. Not suitable for other people.
The degree of compression of knitted socks for the treatment of varicose veins will be determined by a doctor. Therefore, only after consultation, make sure you make an appointment and buy elastic underwear.
Check out the knitwear in the store. Choose products:
- Antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
- No stitches
- With a service life of 12 months
- RAL quality standard
With proper care, such underwear will last a long time and you will not have to change it until the end of the course of treatment.
Types of compression stockings
All models of delicate knitwear are divided into three types:
- Prophylactic. . . These products are not considered medical and therefore can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. They only support ships. This underwear reduces fatigue and leg pain. Knitwear weakly presses on the veins and is perfect for preventing vascular disease, but does not cure varicose veins.
- Therapeutic. . . The widest group of elastic socks. For these products, the pressure level is different in different areas - the underwear squeezes the most near the ankle, and the pressure weakens when you lift the foot up. The medical form is prescribed by a doctor. Socks are designed for people with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
- Anti-embolic or hospital. . . This canvas is prescribed for people who need to stay in bed after surgery. Helps reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. High compression class. The pressure on different parts of the socks varies, as in medical devices.
Yes, you can buy elastic underwear yourself to prevent vascular diseases. However, we still recommend that you consult a doctor. Knitted clothes will help you choose. The phlebologist will tell you about other preventative methods, so you will learn better to protect your arteries.
Compression ratios of compression stockings
According to the level of pressure, elastic underwear is divided into four classes:
- Compression up to 22 mm Hg. Art. This form helps to stop the development of varicose veins - eliminates edema, spider veins and other varicose veins.
- Pressure up to 32 mm Hg. Art. Class II socks are prescribed for patients with chronic venous insufficiency, thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Knitwear is also used for prevention by people with a sedentary lifestyle.
- Compression up to 46 mm Hg. Art. These socks are worn by patients with trophic disorders and congenital defects of the vascular system.
- Pressure up to 50 mm Hg. Art. Doctors prescribe such a form only for people with severe forms of venous disease. Underwear is used to treat severe edema.
Properly chosen level of compression allows you to successfully fight vascular diseases, and inappropriate knitwear causes additional damage to the arteries.
It is equally important to choose the right size for your underwear.
Compression Socks Size Graph
Be sure to measure your feet before buying your laundry. Need to measure:
- Around the calf
- Around the ankle
- Around the thigh
- Leg length from floor to hip
- Leg length
Take all measurements in the morning after waking up. Don't get out of bed - this way you will get the most accurate results that cannot be achieved in a stable position due to the pressure on the vessels. The foot sizes mentioned will be convenient when using the sock size chart.
| Size | Boy, see | Weight, kg | Hips, see |
| S; S1 | 150 - 162 | 41 - 55 | 90 - 100; 90 |
| M; M1 | 152 - 170 | 55 - 75 | 88 - 100; 98 - 115 |
| L; L1 | 155 - 175 | 58 - 95 | 113 - 130; 98 - 115 |
| XL | 167 - 180 | 68 - 95 | |
| XXL | 160 - 178 | 85 - 108 |
How to wear and wear compression stockings
First of all, wear elastic underwear immediately when lifting. Without getting out of bed.
Lift your leg. It should be above the level of the heart - in this case, the pressure in the arteries decreases. Slowly slide your foot in and slowly pull the fabric up.
Make your socks. They should fit snugly on the skin. Straighten the folds. The top of the canvas should not be folded, otherwise the form will press like a turnstile, and as a result, blood circulation will be disrupted.
It is not recommended to take off compression stockings during the day. Only in the shower or bath. Before going to bed, lie down in bed and lift your legs. Then take off your laundry.
How much should knitwear be worn?
Ask your doctor. Mild forms of varicose veins can be eliminated within a few months, but chronic diseases are a more serious problem. Sometimes phlebologists advise patients to wear elastic stockings for several years. Rarely, all my life.
With careless handling, knitting will not last for several months. Therefore, it must be properly cared for.
Compression stocking care
Socks do not look like a durable product. And really - in general, their service life does not exceed 12 months, and in many cases the laundry breaks down and spoils earlier.
What to do?
First of all, socks should be washed. Including antimicrobial protective form. Remember - you wear elastic underwear all day and dead skin cells are constantly accumulating on it. Therefore, wash daily.
The best - by hand.
Use baby soap or other delicate products that will not damage knitted products for washing. You can't boil laundry.
After washing, squeeze the water from the socks very carefully. Do not stretch them or damage the fabric. You can wipe off the moisture with a towel.
Dry the knitwear on a flat surface, only in cool or warm places, as high heat can destroy the material.
Even with proper care, socks will sooner or later lose their elasticity. Sometimes after a few months. Less - after a year.
How to change the form in time?
The loss of elasticity is easy to notice when you wear socks in the morning. Old compression garments are very easy to pull off. Thus, the result is that the legs do not close properly, and therefore need to be replaced.
How much compression stockings should be worn after surgery
Elastic knitwear is not only included in the complex treatment of vascular diseases and is used to prevent varicose veins. Such underwear is also prescribed for operated patients. Sometimes for a few days. In other cases, it is months.
The time of wearing socks is determined by the doctor.
After treatment, knitwear should be used at different times, depending on the procedure:
- Caesarean section - up to three weeks
- Removal of the uterus - two to eight weeks
- Laparoscopy - from three days to a month
- Kidney removal - from five days to four weeks
- Removal of the gallbladder - from ten days to a month
How long can you wear compression stockings after sclerotherapy?
It is necessary to take into account the number of vessels treated by the doctor. During the operation, the phlebologist destroys the inner walls of the vessels in various ways, which makes them inflamed. The blood circulation in the artery stops, and after a while the diseased artery completely disappears. Blood passes through other vessels.
In this case, compression stockings help to close the treated arteries and prevent blood from entering them. Therefore, ships disappear faster.
If the doctor has operated on one or two veins, elastic underwear should be worn for up to four months. More ships need to be stored longer - six months. Moreover, this is not a full term. The patient wears so many secondary uniforms that the doctor can then replace them with first-class underwear.
Shaped socks are also used in other vascular operations. For example, they are useful to get rid of phlebectomy and miniphlebectomy.
However, endovasal treatment does not require compression therapy, and underwear is used only if the symptoms of venous insufficiency - edema and trophic disorders persist.
Unfortunately, this information is not universal. It cannot be applied to every situation and to every person. The doctor prescribes knitwear and determines how many special socks patients should wear.
It is a good start to read information about elastic underwear, but the real fight against vascular disease will flare up only after a visit to the doctor.