Varicose veins are one of the pressing problems faced by modern people. Everyone may face these problems due to age, occupation and many other reasons. Of course, if you suspect the development of varicose veins, you must consult a doctor as soon as possible, and the doctor will diagnose and prescribe a treatment plan.
In order to achieve the maximum effect, conservative treatment means the use of comprehensive methods, including the use of drugs, physical therapy, massage, etc. The other part of the treatment is wearing a special pressure suit, which will be discussed.
Application of pressure clothing
Before talking about why compression underwear is needed, you need to understand what varicose veins are, so that the working principles of special stockings, tights and golf balls will be clear.
Veins are blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Varicose veins is a disease in which a variety of pathological changes occur in blood vessels. In particular, the veins become longer and distended, the walls become thinner, and the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of vascular nodules.
In addition, for varicose veins, the function of the venous valve is disrupted, and its design purpose is to allow blood to circulate to the heart (upward). Valve insufficiency and deformation of the venous bed cause blood to stagnate, which in turn causes an increase in intravascular pressure. This process is called varicose veins.
The compression principle of special underwear is to apply pressure to the expanded blood vessels from the outside. Compression of the enlarged superficial veins causes the redistribution of blood flow, directing it to the deep blood vessels. Therefore, the overload of patients who cannot work normally is eliminated, and blood circulation is restored.
The correct choice of underwear will put different pressures on certain parts of the legs. It looks like this:
- The highest degree of compression is in the lowest part of the limb, the lower part of the calf;
- In the middle of the calf, the compression is reduced by 30%, which is 70% of the maximum compression;
- Closer to the knee, these indicators drop more, and so on, depending on the type of underwear and the extent of the disease.
Such an approximation shows that in the lowest part, the pressure should be higher, because the movement of blood through the vein in this area requires more effort, that is, more pressure. As the blood increases, the venous pressure gradually decreases, thereby reducing the load on the veins.
The correct choice of pressure underwear can improve blood circulation, allow you to improve the condition of patients with varicose veins, and get rid of the stagnant process in the blood vessels. At the same time, it provides the most natural conditions for blood flow, so this maintenance treatment method is completely safe.
Indications
If we talk about under what circumstances we need to wear pressure underwear, the answer is mainly one-varicose veins. This means that from the first stage of the development of the pathological process to the end of the most difficult third stage, the doctor will prescribe the use of this kind of underwear.
But if the development of this disease is suspected, compression underwear may also be needed to prevent varicose veins. Generally speaking, the following more specific indications can be distinguished:
- pregnant;
- Prevent disease, especially in the presence of factors that induce disease development;
- Diagnosed varicose veins-as part of comprehensive treatment and prevent its progression;
- Postoperative period-If surgery is performed to eliminate severe varicose veins.
Contraindications
Although this prevention and treatment method is safe and harmless, there are many contraindications to wearing compression underwear:
- Severe form of venous thrombosis, which usually occurs in the final stage of the progression of varicose veins;
- Active inflammation of the lower limbs of various etiologies, especially purulent ones;
- Aortitis;
- Endarteritis;
- Trophic ulcer;
- Atherosclerosis;
- Damage to the skin.
It is also important to choose the right compression product. Underwear should be suitable for the patient. Under no circumstances should the legs be compressed, as this can cause numbness, even more serious circulatory disturbances, and even lower limb deformation.
At the same time, large pieces of clothing, that is, too loose, will not be able to provide the necessary compression, and the therapeutic effect will be minimal or reduced to zero.
Types of compression underwear
Depending on the use of pressure underwear, the nature of the pathological process, the degree of progress, the scale, and many individual factors, the doctor may prescribe a specific type of underwear. By convention, you can divide the properties that create compression into 4 types:
- Leggings-The most common and very effective type of decoration with compression effect. To choose the right size leggings, you need to make sure they reach the waist, not higher or lower. In addition, they should not be too loose, but at the same time make sure that they do not pinch your legs, hips, and waist. According to the patient's evaluation, the tights can be taken off easily, but during the putting on, you must work hard to evenly distribute the products made of compression stockings. One of the main advantages of tights is that there are special women's styles.
- Stockings-In principle, it is similar to tights, but it can only reach the middle of the thigh (the same standard is to ensure the correct size), and it will not help during pregnancy. In other words, stockings are specifically designed for the legs and are limited to the thighs. In addition, even with the correct product, many patients still complain that the stockings tend to slip off during the day. This is not only inconvenient, but also has a negative impact on the compression distribution.
- Knee socks-Mainly applicable to the situation where varicose veins affect the leg, especially the calf, but it will not increase. Knee-length socks, like special socks, are used by men more, but there are also women's styles. In addition, this kind of underwear is more suitable for sports, because the tights hinder sports at the waist, which is unacceptable when performing certain sports.
- Elastic bandage-Not suitable for underwear, but it is still a compression product. The advantage of the bandage is that it does not need to be selected based on size, it is also suitable for people of any body type, and it is a much cheaper choice. With it, it is sufficient to tie the affected area, but in this case, it is very important to clearly distribute the tension to provide the necessary compression. This factor is a serious disadvantage.
notes!The underwear used to treat and prevent varicose veins is made of special compression stockings. This material is elastic, and it also initially implies a strict classification, that is, according to the degree of compression and size. To choose underwear, be sure to consult a doctor and buy it only from a pharmacy.
Use characteristics
The main advantage of leggings, stockings and golf shoes is that when you buy them, you will immediately get products that are guaranteed to perform their functions (provided you choose the right size). This means that simply putting on the underwear and even distribution is enough, after which it will begin to produce healing effects.
Regardless of the type of work, you can wear tights, stockings, knee socks and socks all day long. However, in this matter, it is still important to consult a phlebologist, who will give accurate advice on the duration of wearing and the complexity of use, because each disease is unique.
In addition, to make clothes last longer, they must be handled properly:
- Wear carefully to avoid damaging the compression socks.
- Underwear can only be worn on dry skin (if you have used cream before, please wait until it is completely absorbed).
- To put on tights, stockings, or knee socks evenly, first stretch your hands into them, and then gradually distribute them evenly on your legs.
- In addition, experts recommend putting on underwear immediately after getting up in the morning, that is, before getting up.
Use bandage
Elastic bandages are a cheaper but at the same time unpretentious tool. However, in order to use it correctly, it is important to at least master the basics of varicose vein bandage technique. For this, you should follow the following recommendations:
- The bandage is wound from bottom to top, starting from the foot, from the toe, then the ankle, moving upward. Depending on the nature and prevalence of varicose veins, you can start from the lower leg without affecting the feet.
- Apply the stripes slightly overlapping, this is the maximum efficiency, and this technique can also prevent the bandage from sliding or unfolding.
- If the foot is wrapped, when moving to the shin, the heel remains free, and the loop is placed at the junction of the ankle and shin.
- The bandage roll should not be twisted too much, it should be collected almost close to the leg to avoid excessive tension.
- Remember that the compression force of the calf should be higher, and the tension will gradually decrease during the ascent.
There is a way to check whether the bandage is used correctly. After bandaging, the toes became cyanotic immediately and should disappear after 2-3 minutes. If there is no cyanosis at all, the bandage is too loose. If this condition persists, it means you are under too much pressure. Untie the bandage, massage your leg, and try again.