Anti-varicose stockings: how to choose and use correctly

Human limbs, arms and legs are the most flexible parts of the body. They have been under pressure. Most importantly, our legs can carry the load - our body's weight. Also, they are always in an upright position. In this position, at a given weight, blood flow increases, while pressure on the vessel wall increases.

If we consider that our blood vessels are undernourished, overweight, and less elastic due to harmful environmental factors, it is clear that this causes them to stretch. Node formation. Then the first signs of varicose veins appear - so-called asterisks on the skin, heaviness and swelling of the legs. The next stage is already a specific disease - prominent nodes, veins. All this comes with painful feelings.

Varicose compression stockings

Anti-varicose stockings: types

To heal varicose veins, you need to make fundamental lifestyle changes, adjust your eating habits, and pay enough attention to stress problems. Of course, consider wearing a compression, varicose-resistant sweater.

Its products can be divided into the following types:

  • Tights - the most comfortable look, but requires some effort when wearing;
  • Stockings - recommended for pregnant women and those whose veins above the knee are not affected;
  • Golf - very comfortable for men;
  • Leggings - recommended for those whose varicose veins affect a small part of the legs;
  • Elastic bandages - are the most affordable type, but have the disadvantage of being inconvenient to use.

It is worth noting that such medical orthopaedic wardrobe items are recommended to be worn after surgery. attention! After surgery, you should not wear any stockings, they should be chosen by a specialist.

What are anti-varicose compression stockings and tights?

Specialized orthopaedic compression products are made from compression stockings. Their purpose is strictly medical. This type of clothing supports blood vessels and prevents them from stretching, improving microcirculation. According to the conclusions of the attending physician, such stockings are a rather effective method of combating and preventing diseases today.

One benefit of such compression tights or stockings is the prevention of blood clots. The construction of the compression jersey product is made of porous sticky material that provides breathability in hot weather. In such products, materials with properties that increase evaporation and maintain skin water balance are used.

Compression socks: impact function

A feature of this stocking is that they create an extra frame that supports the veins and protects them from stretching. Additionally, the compression of the calf tissue protects our legs from fatigue, muscle pain and swelling, and prevents blood from stagnant.

The pressure in compression stockings is distributed from bottom to top as follows:

  • on the ankle - the maximum value, i. e. up to 100%;
  • Kneel down - reduced to 70-75%;
  • in the buttocks - about 50%;
  • in the groin - up to 20%;
  • There is no pressure on the hips and abdomen.

As a result, the rate at which blood flows out of the veins in the legs increases.

Anti-varicose compression stockings have preventive and therapeutic effects. After you decide to buy anti-varicose stockings or tights, determine what you need them for: preventing varicose veins during pregnancy and after childbirth. Pharmacies can choose preventive medicines based on your body size. They don't need a certificate.

In medicine, the situation is quite different. It's hard to choose them. For them, there must be a medical certificate and the doctor must choose for you according to your parameters and stage of disease. The phlebologist will assess the stage of the disease and the condition of the veins based on the ultrasound data. The size must be chosen very carefully, as the tights hardly stretch. Too big won't be effective, and small size is inconvenient and uncomfortable.

If you've been diagnosed with a medical condition but haven't had the opportunity to seek advice from your doctor when buying compression stockings, buy preventive compression stockings first, and then be guided by how you feel and how your body responds to one or the othertype or size.

According to international standards, compression stockings are divided into 4 categories.

  1. The first compression level is 18-22 mm Hg. Art. - With the degree of initial damage to the superficial veins, the appearance of spider veins. These stockings significantly reduce pain and swelling at the end of the workday.
  2. The second type of compression is 23-32 mmHg. Art. - Damage to deep veins. In addition to pain and swelling, nighttime cramps can also occur. Recommended for thrombophlebitis of moderately severe varicose veins. Doctors recommend wearing these tights all the time.
  3. The third compression level is from 33 to 45 mmHg. Art. It is only purchased on the prescription of a phlebologist. Doctors recommend these tights for deep vein thrombosis and other serious conditions.
  4. Category 4 Compression - Over 50 mmHg. Art. - Recommended to wear to violate lymph flow and eliminate edema.

attention!

  1. Don't confuse regular stretch tights with compression tights. The density of treatments and preventive measures is measured in mm Hg, not density.
  2. Medical tights have a wear period. not more than 6 months. Washing and everyday wear make them unusable.
  3. High-quality varicose compression stockings don't come cheap.
  4. If you're in doubt about which brand to buy for tights or stockings, buy them marked RAL - they meet international quality standards.

How women wear medical anti-varicose compression stockings

The rules on how to wear compression stockings are different than wearing regular wardrobe items.

  1. Put it on immediately after getting up, in bed.
  2. This must be done correctly and very carefully, without twisting or stretching the fabric excessively.
  3. The upper part is carefully assembled into an accordion.
  4. Next, insert the palm of your hand inside the stocking and carefully pull the stocking over your foot without forgetting the correct heel position.
  5. Straighten very slowly, pulling up the shin.
  6. Then, just as carefully, gradually pull them over the hips, raising the torso slightly.

Anti-varicose compression stockings can be used to treat and prevent venous disease. At the same time, do not forget to consult before buying such underwear, as self-treatment can negatively affect your health. good luck!