The anti-varicose form is designed to normalize the functioning of the circulatory system in the lower extremities. Compression underwear shows a precise design pressure on certain areas of the arteries, which is at risk of developing pathological venous diseases because they are far from the heart. Thus, wearing medical underwear improves blood flow, relieves pain, swelling and heaviness in the legs. Therefore, if you are at risk of developing varicose veins or show signs of venous circulatory disorders (due to static loads, pregnancy, sedentary lifestyle), you should start using protective compression underwear in everyday clothing.
Compression underwear for varicose veins
Previously, phlebologists prescribed elastic bandages for this purpose. Now this tool is not popular due to a number of significant disadvantages: the difficulty of dressing, an uneven degree of compression, an unaesthetic appearance, rapid loss of compression properties and, consequently, slippage.
The difference between modern compression underwear is the exact opposite of the above disadvantages:
- ease of use from wearing linen to dressing (compared to dressing);
- 4 compression class - allows individual selection of canvases with the required level of compression of dilated vessels;
- Made of high-tech materials: linen - hypoallergenic natural cotton with a high degree of elasticity; socks made of synthetic fibers - nylon, lycra, elastodien, microfiber, which allows you to wear skirts and dresses;
- sitting tight does not allow the laundry to slip;
- longevity of linens with proper care - from 5 to 12 months (with daily wear).
What is the use of compression underwear? Compression wear creates pressure distributed from the bottom of the feet upwards. The degree of pressure varies from ankle to thigh, with a percentage of 100 to 20% of the compression applied by the underwear.
Expert opinion
The gradual decrease in the percentage of compression is physiologically justified: the load on the venous system decreases with blood flow. Therefore, it is advisable to lower the maximum pressure. Thanks to this principle of action, wearing compression underwear stimulates and normalizes the flow of blood and lymph to the heart, prevents venous congestion.
Types of compression underwear
How to choose compression underwear for varicose veins and what is this or that type of knitwear used for?
The medical industry offers a fairly large compression underwear. There are compression stockings for women and underwear for the treatment of varicose veins in men. There is also a classification according to the therapeutic functions assigned to compression garments:
- protective underwear: minimal compression to eliminate high blood pressure inside the lower extremities;
- medical canvas: medium and maximum compression for the treatment of varicose veins;
- postoperative underwear: used in hospitals, the choice of compression stockings is made by the doctor.
Depending on the current or probable localization of venous diseases of the lower body, you can choose a certain medical underwear - compression tights, knee pads or socks.
Compressor socks
Socks are mainly recommended for athletes with increasing running loads for prophylactic purposes. Wearing compression stockings will reduce the risk of venous diseases and help those who have experienced them. When using compression stockings, the blood circulation in the foot improves and muscle tone increases due to the compression towards the heel and foot area. This type of laundry can be used both for a long time and after work.
Compression knees
Socks are suitable for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, provided that the varicose veins are located below the knee. The knees cover the feet from foot to knee. The elastic compression properties ensure a precise fit to the foot, maintain ankle tone and prevent weight on the foot.
How to choose a knee brace for men? More compression garments seem to target women. This is a dream. In terms of design, men's toes are practically no different from ordinary socks, so they should not create restrictions on the time they are worn.
The size of such compression garments above the knee is selected according to the anatomical profile of the lower extremities.
To do this, you need to make some measurements (in centimeters):
- around the tire above the ankle and below the knee;
- length from foot to knee.
Compression stockings
With the help of socks it is possible to achieve a therapeutic and prophylactic effect in the fight against pathologies of the venous system. As necessary, elastic stockings with increased length from varicose veins are sometimes used: up to the groin area or with a binder at the waist.
There is a silicone elastic inside the sock. This prevents the compression stocking from slipping. Medical socks with a fastener at the waist are secured with an elastic strap with a tie. Such socks are divided into half pairs, left and right. Mono socks are likely to be combined with tights.
This type of socks has a maximum degree of impact, as a special compression underwear for legs with varicose veins.
Finding the best compression stockings for women and men is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. The range of such underwear in the medical market is very wide. Takes into account the financial possibilities and advantages for the appearance of canvas. Therefore, it is possible to buy compression stockings not only in accordance with the therapeutic and prophylactic properties of linen, but also in accordance with your wishes. When making a purchase, it is important to remember that an orthopedic salon or pharmacy that sells compression underwear protects you from counterfeiting. Only there you can buy a certified high quality compression product.
Compression tights for women
The most common medical and prophylactic underwear for women are compression tights, although they are very difficult to wear.
Depending on the importance of what effect is achieved, the following types of compression tights are distinguished: prophylactic and therapeutic. Protective elastic tights are selected independently according to parameters such as height and weight. You can buy these compressor socks both in pharmacies and in regular medical supply stores. In addition to improving the venous system, they have a corrective and slimming effect on the spine, thighs and thighs.
Expert opinion
If you can choose prophylactic compression products on your own, medical compression stockings are only chosen by your doctor. Such tights, socks and stockings are subject to mandatory medical certification in accordance with RAL-standard-GZ 387 and are sold only in medical equipment salons and pharmacies.
The range includes different types of compression knitwear depending on the composition and color. Both are the most transparent and densely opaque ones, allowing the masking of venous manifestations on the skin. When choosing a model, pay attention to socks: there are products with open and closed fingers.
For varicose veins, it is recommended to combine medical compression stockings with the use of local venotonic agents for the legs. Foot cream with horse chestnut and ginkgo biloba extracts is suitable for daily care at home. Thanks to its natural composition, it eliminates pain, tones, has anti-inflammatory and cosmetic effects. The cream is applied to the skin of the feet from the bottom to the top with massage movements 1-2 times a day before putting on a compression garment and after removing it in the evening. The cream has been clinically tested and accepted by phlebologists as an effective helper in the fight against varicose veins of the lower extremities. A foot tonic spray with hazelnut and witch hazel extracts is very suitable for outdoor use. It can be applied to nylon compression tights thanks to its lightweight, unmarked formula and comfortable release form. Spray 1-2 times a day at a distance of 15 cm to slightly moisturize the skin. Both products are developed by specialists of one pharmaceutical company and have the necessary documents and quality certificates.
Compression elastic underwear - tights, socks and knee-high clothes, requires effort when wearing. It is important to follow these rules:
- lie down after waking up;
- do not stretch or bend the product too much;
- Gather the top of the tights and gradually straighten the bottom leg and up.
To facilitate the procedure of wearing compression stockings, special devices are produced for different categories of consumers: overweight, limited mobility, for travelers (prefabricated design).
How to choose compression stockings?
When the question arises as to how to choose a compression knit, it is necessary to read the information on the package, depending on the size.
Compression garments are manufactured in accordance with quality standards. The strictest European standard is RAL-GZ 387. The norms regulate the following:
- composition of compression underwear;
- safety of materials used;
- compression, elasticity, strength properties of the produced canvases;
- labeling requirements on packaging.
According to these standards, in the packaging of quality certified linen, the compression class and pressure must be indicated in millimeters of mercury, not in nominal (as in ordinary socks).
If the linen packaging has the inscription Oko-Tex® Standard 100, it means that the compression garment has been tested by independent institutions that are part of the international Oeko-Tex community. Fabric samples are checked for pH, formaldehyde content, chlorine content and heavy metals. Based on the results of a successful inspection, a quality certificate is issued - Oko-Tex® Standard 100.
By purchasing underwear with the above signs, you can be sure that it is:
- will allow to achieve the appropriate therapeutic effect;
- environmentally friendly;
- will provide service not less than the service life specified by the manufacturer.
Elastic compression stockings: compression classes for all garments
According to the RAL-GZ 387 standard, there are 4 compression classes according to the degree of pressure created in medical elastic knitwear.
- Compression class I: has a low (light) prophylactic pressure (18-21 mm Hg). Indications for wearing underwear with class I compression are: the tendency to develop varicose veins, heaviness in the legs, edema, spider veins, pregnancy.
- Compression class II: has a medium pressure (22-32 mm of mercury). This is the most commonly used compression class for medical clothing. It is used in the treatment of varicose veins and acute thrombophlebitis (thrombophlebitis) for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
- Compression class III: shows strong pressure (33-46 mm of mercury). This linen is used for severe lymphovenous insufficiency, trophic pathologies, deep vein thrombosis.
- Compression class IV: indicates the highest possible pressure (greater than 59 mm Hg). Underwear of this compression class is used to eliminate lymphedema with congenital anomalies of blood vessels and accompanying edema.
Prophylactic underwear, which is the first compression class, can be obtained independently. But how to choose medical compression underwear with already developed varicose veins can only be explained by a doctor. It will explain why you need compression garments in your special situation.
Compression stockings: how to choose the size
Varicose veins are an irreversible disease that requires treatment. And compression stockings will be a supporting frame for the veins. The exact size of the foot will help you choose the right socks, ie:
- leg to knee length;
- around the tire above the ankle and below the knee;
- thigh belt at a distance of 25-30 cm from the knee;
- the length of the foot to the groin.
It is important to determine the size of the socks after the phlebologist has determined and measured the canvases of the appropriate compression class. The range includes many sizes from XS to XLX. The measurement network may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, the choice of compression garments should be made in accordance with the sizing chart of a particular manufacturer.
Properly chosen socks will fit snugly on your feet. You may feel uncomfortable wearing medical underwear at first, but it will go away over time.
How to choose compression tights?
To choose tights, in addition to the above dimensions, you need to measure the volume of the hips and waist.
Compression garments are manufactured by many manufacturers. I want to understand what is better than the rest so as not to waste valuable time and money with varicose veins. Unfortunately, the best compression stockings for varicose veins can only be chosen based on your feelings from wearing such underwear directly.
The feature of tights is that they are carefully selected according to the size, because the area they will apply pressure is the maximum.
In most cases, the packaging contains information on how to attach the compression tights. Do not ignore these tips - they will prolong the life of canvases:
- Wear tights after waking up or taking a shower. Important: the skin should be completely dry.
- The condition of the skin should be monitored - the compression underwear should be moisturized and smooth to avoid damaging the fibers.
- Compression tights should not stretch or bend.
- When dressing, gather the upper part of the tights on an accordion and gradually distribute it along the length of the leg, straightening the resulting folds.
Compression tights should be worn all day and removed before bedtime. The duration of use of laundry is determined only by a doctor.
Compression stockings after surgery
The hospital uniform is irreplaceable after surgery. In the period after treatment of varicose veins, good compression underwear can eliminate a number of possible complications. Wearing hospital gowns reduces the risk of congestion and deep vein thrombosis.
The optimal compression pressure for this type of underwear is 15-18 mm of mercury.
Compression of the recovery underwear is calculated taking into account that the patient will be in a horizontal position. For this reason, this type of underwear is not suitable as everyday compression stockings.
Postoperative compression garments can be adjusted to any part of the body. The following types of canvas can be distinguished:
- knee-length, tights;
- waist corsets;
- bandage
A distinctive feature of postoperative compression garments is that they must be worn (not removed) in the first days. For this reason, hospital underwear should be extremely elastic, flawless, hypoallergenic and have antimicrobial effects.
Women's compression underwear
It is customary to understand cosmetic socks, mainly under women's compression hospital clothes. It is used after plastic surgery, which greatly simplifies and shortens the rehabilitation period. The most common type of such clothing is breastless compression after mammoplasty (Mammoplastica). During postoperative rehabilitation, it is important to wear a fixed compression underwear to correct the shape of the breast:
- prevents scarring;
- help eliminate postoperative swelling;
- reduce pain;
- eliminate the feeling of heaviness in the operated area.
The required compression class of the corsair is regulated by the fasteners. Sometimes an additional compression belt is used in conjunction with a compression shirt to create maximum compression with postoperative underwear where necessary.
For a long time, the doctor determines how to choose and wear compression garments for women. Improperly chosen underwear can damage your body.
Compression underwear for pregnant women
Symptoms of various diseases are possible due to the increased load on the body during pregnancy. Also varicose veins. To protect themselves from such manifestations, many pregnant women are advised to wear protective and therapeutic compression underwear.
During the first trimester, a compression stocking is usually worn to protect the knee or ankle, which will protect a woman from heaviness and swelling in the legs.
Wearing a bench press during pregnancy reduces stress on the spine.
From the second trimester, medical linen is prescribed, if indicated: bandage, tights, socks. These types of medical pads will help you heal faster after giving birth. Often the function of the bandage is given to a highly elastic part in front of the compression tights. The anatomical features of a pregnant woman are taken into account. Such underwear provides good support to the stomach and does not compress it. However, there may be contraindications to wearing such a uniform, so it is advisable to consult your doctor before buying medicated underwear.
For pregnant women with varicose veins, a phlebologist recommends the use of compression stockings during and shortly after childbirth.