Varicose veins are one of the urgent problems of the modern person, which everyone can face due to age, professional employment and various other reasons. It is clear that, at the slightest suspicion of developing varicose veins, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will make the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
To achieve the maximum effect, conservative treatment involves an integrated 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 varicose veins are, only then will the working principle of special socks, tights, and golf courses 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.
Also, with varicose veins, the function of the venous valves is disrupted, which are designed so that blood can flow to the heart (upwards). The insufficiency of valves and the deformation of the venous bed lead to blood stagnation, which in turn causes an increase in pressure inside the vessels, this process is called varicose veins.
The compression principle created by specialized underwear is to apply pressure to the dilated vessels from the outside. Compression of the dilated superficial veins causes a redistribution of blood flow, directing it to the deep vessels. Because of this, the excessive load is removed from patients who cannot function normally, and blood circulation is restored.
Properly selected underwear exerts a different pressure on certain parts of the leg. It's like that:
- The greatest degree of compression is in the lowest part of the limb, the lower part of the leg;
- In the middle of the leg, the compression is 30% less, which is equivalent to 70% of the maximum compression;
- Closer to the knee, these indicators decrease further, and so on, depending on the type of underwear and the extent of the disease.
This approximate diagram shows that at the lowest cut the pressure should be higher due to the fact that the movement of blood through the veins in this region requires much more effort, ie, more pressure. As the blood rises higher, the intravenous pressure gradually decreases and consequently the load on the veins is relieved.
Correctly selected compression underwear improves blood circulation, allowing to improve the condition of the patient with varicose veins, get rid of stagnant processes in the vessels. At the same time, the most natural conditions for blood circulation are provided, thanks to which this method of maintenance therapy is completely safe.
Indications
If we talk about which cases it is indicated 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 these 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;
- Disease prevention, especially in the presence of predisposing factors for its development;
- Diagnosed varicose veins - as part of a comprehensive treatment and to prevent their progression;
- Postoperative - if operations were performed to eliminate severe forms of varicose veins.
Contraindications
Despite the safety and innocuousness of this method of prevention and treatment, there are a number of contraindications for the use of compression underwear:
- Severe forms of venous thrombosis, which often develop late in the progression of varicose veins;
- Inflammatory processes active in the lower extremities of various etiologies, especially purulent;
- Aorthoarteritis;
- Endoarteritis;
- Trophic ulcers;
- Atherosclerosis;
- Skin damage.
Choosing the right compression products is also very important. Underwear should fit the patient and in no case should they put pressure on the legs, as this leads to numbness, even more serious circulatory disorders and even deformation of the lower extremities.
At the same time, clothes that are big, ie, too loose, will not provide the necessary compression, respectively, the therapeutic effect will be negligible or will be reduced to zero.
Types of Compression Underwear
Depending on the situation of wearing the compression briefs, 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 attributes to create compression into 4 types:
- tights- the most common and effective type of decoration with compression effect. To choose the right size pants, you need to make sure they reach your waist, not up or down. Also, they shouldn't be too loose, but at the same time, make sure they don't snag your legs, hips, waist. According to the evaluation of the patients, the socks can be easily removed, but in the process of putting them on, you have to make an effort, evenly distributing the product made of compression socks. One of the main advantages of socks is that there are special models for women in position.
- Socks- similar in principle to pantyhose, but it only reaches mid-thigh (the same criterion is the guarantee of the correct size), and it does not help during pregnancy either. In other words, the socks are designed exclusively for the legs, limited to the thigh. Also, even with the right product, many patients complain that socks tend to slip during the day. This is not only less convenient, it also negatively affects compression distribution.
- Knee socks- are mainly intended for cases where varicose veins especially affect the shin part of the leg, without ascending higher. Knees, as well as special socks, are more used by men, but there are also female models. In addition, this type of underwear is more suitable for sports, as pantyhose partially interferes with movements in the waist region, 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 dressing is that it doesn't have to be selected according to size, it is also suitable for people of any body size and is a much cheaper option. To use it, just tie the affected areas, but in this case it is extremely important to clearly distribute the tension to provide the necessary compression, this factor is a serious inconvenience.
Observation!Underwear for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins is made of special compression stockings. This material is elastic and also initially implies a strict classification, that is, division according to the degree of compression and size. To choose underwear, it is important to consult a doctor and buy only at the pharmacy.
Usage characteristics
The main advantage of tights, socks and golf is that, when you buy them, you immediately get a product that is guaranteed to do its job (provided you choose the right size). This means that you just simply put on your underwear, distribute it evenly, from which it will begin to have a healing effect.
Tights, socks, uppers and socks can be worn throughout the day, regardless of the type of job. However, in this regard, it is still important to consult a phlebologist, who will give precise recommendations regarding the duration of use and the intricacies of use, as each case of the disease is unique.
In addition, for clothing to last a long time, it must be handled properly:
- Use with care to avoid damaging the compression sock.
- Underwear should only be used on dry skin (if you used the cream before, wait until it is completely absorbed).
- To wear tights, socks, or knee-length tights evenly, place your hand on them first and then spread them evenly and gradually over your leg.
- In addition, experts recommend putting on underwear in the morning, immediately after waking up, that is, before getting out of bed.
using a bandage
Elastic bandage is a cheaper and at the same time unpretentious tool. However, for its correct use, it is important to master at least the fundamentals of limb bandaging technique for varicose veins. To do this, you must follow the following recommendations:
- The bandage is rolled up from the bottom up, starting at the foot, the toes, then the ankle, rising higher. Depending on the nature and prevalence of varicose veins, you can start from the lower leg without affecting the foot.
- Apply the strips slightly overlapping, this is maximum effectiveness, and this technique will also prevent the bandage from slipping or unrolling.
- If the foot is curled, when passing to the shin part, the heel remains free and, at the junction between the ankle and the shin, the strap is placed transversely.
- Do not twist the dressing roll too much, it should be retracted, located almost close to the leg, so as not to create excessive tension.
- Remember that compression should be greater in the lower leg and tension will gradually decrease as you climb.
There is a way to check that the dressing has been applied correctly. Immediately after involvement, the toes become cyanotic, which should disappear after 2-3 minutes. If there was no cyanosis, the dressing is too loose, if the effect persists you have achieved too much compression, unroll the dressing, massage your leg and try again.