Varicose veins are one of the pressing problems for a modern person that everyone can face due to age, professional employment and a number of other reasons. Of course, at the slightest suspicion of the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will diagnose and prescribe treatment.
To achieve the maximum effect, conservative treatment involves an integrated approach, which includes the use of medication, physiotherapy, massage and more. Part of the treatment is also to wear special compression garments, which will be discussed.
Use of compression garments
Before you talk about why you need compression underwear, you need to understand what are varicose veins, only then will the principle of operation of special socks, tights and golf 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 lengthen and dilate, their walls become thinner, and the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of vascular nodules.
In addition, with varicose veins, the function of the venous valves is disturbed, which is designed so that blood can circulate to the heart (upwards). Lack of valves and deformation of the venous bed lead to stagnation of blood, which in turn causes an increase in pressure inside the vessels, this process is called varicose veins.
The compression principle created by special underwear is to put pressure on the enlarged vessels from the outside. Compression of the enlarged superficial veins causes a redistribution of the blood flow and leads it into the deep vessels. Because of this, excessive strain is removed from patients who are unable to function normally and blood circulation is restored.
Properly chosen underwear puts different pressure on certain parts of the leg. It looks like something like this:
- The highest degree of compression is on the lowest part of the limb, the lower part of the lower leg;
- In the middle of the lower leg, the compression is 30% lower, which is 70% of the maximum compression;
- Closer to the knee, these indicators fall even more, and so on depending on the type of underwear and the extent of the disease.
Such an approximate diagram shows that the pressure at the lowest section must be higher due to the fact that the movement of blood through the veins in this area requires much more effort, i. e. more pressure. As the blood rises higher, the intravenous pressure gradually decreases and the strain on the veins is relieved.
Properly chosen compression underwear improves blood circulation, so you can improve the patient's condition with varicose veins, get rid of stagnant processes in the vessels. At the same time, the most natural conditions for movement of blood are provided, thanks to which method of maintenance treatment is completely safe.
Indications
If we talk about in which cases it is indicated to wear compression underwear, the answer is mainly one - varicose veins. This means that doctors from the first stage of the development of the pathological process and end with the most difficult - the third stage, prescribes the use of such underwear.
However, compression underwear may also be required to prevent varicose veins if the development of this disease is suspected. In general, a distinction can be made between the following, more specific indications:
- Pregnancy;
- Prevention of the disease, especially in the presence of factors predisposing to its development;
- Diagnosed varicose veins - as part of a comprehensive treatment and to prevent its progression
- Postoperative period - if surgeries were performed to remove severe forms of varicose veins.
Contraindications
Despite the safety and harmlessness of this method of prevention and treatment, there are a number of contraindications to wearing compression underwear:
- Severe forms of venous thrombosis, which often develop in the last stage of the development of varicose veins;
- Active inflammatory processes in the lower extremities of various etiologies, especially purulent;
- Aortic arteritis;
- Endoarteritis;
- Trophic wounds;
- Atherosclerosis;
- Damage to the skin.
It is also very important to choose the right compression products. The underwear must fit the patient and must under no circumstances press on the legs, as this leads to numbness, even more serious circulatory diseases and even deformation of the lower extremities.
At the same time, large laundry, i. e. too loose, will not provide the necessary compression, respectively, the therapeutic effect will be negligible or reduced to zero.
Types of compression underwear
Depending on the situation in which the compression underwear is used, the nature, the degree of progression of the pathological process, its extent as well as a number of individual factors, the doctor may prescribe a particular type of underwear. You can conventionally divide the compression creation attributes into 4 types:
- Tights- the most common and very effective type of decoration that has a compression effect. To choose the right size tights, 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 squeeze your legs, hips, waist. According to patient reviews, the tights can be easily taken off, but in the process of putting them on, make an effort and evenly distribute the product made from compression stockings. One of the biggest advantages of tights is that there are special models for women in position.
- Stockings- similar in principle to tights, but reaches only the middle of the thigh (the same criterion is a guarantee of the correct size), and can in no way help during pregnancy. In other words, the socks are designed exclusively for the legs, limited to the thigh. In addition, even with the right product, many patients complain that socks tend to slip during the day. This is not only less convenient, but also adversely affects the distribution of compression.
- Knee socks- is mainly intended for cases where varicose veins affect the particular tibia of the leg without rising higher. Knee heights, like special socks, are used more often by men, but there are also female models. In addition, this type of underwear is more suitable for sports, because tights partially prevent movement in the waist area, 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 bandage is that it does not have to be chosen according to the size, it is also suitable for people of any body size and is a much cheaper solution. To use it is enough to 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 drawback.
Note!Underwear for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins is made of special compression stocking. This material is elastic and initially also involves a strict classification, ie division according to the degree of compression and size. To choose underwear, it is important to consult a doctor and only buy it at a pharmacy.
Properties of use
The main advantage of tights, socks and golf is that when you buy them, you immediately get a product that is guaranteed to fulfill its functions (provided you choose the right size). This means that it is enough just to put on the underwear, distribute it evenly, after which it will start to have a healing effect.
Tights, stockings, knee heights and stockings can be worn all day, no matter what type of work. However, in this case, it is still important to consult a phlebologist who will give precise recommendations regarding the duration of wear and difficulty in use because each case of the disease is unique.
In addition, in order for the laundry to last for a long time, it must be handled correctly:
- Use carefully to avoid damaging the compression stocking.
- Wearing underwear should only be on dry skin (if you have used the cream before, wait until it is completely absorbed).
- To put on tights, stockings or knee heights evenly, first put your hand in them, then evenly and gradually spread over your leg.
- Experts also recommend putting on underwear in the morning immediately after waking up, that is, before getting out of bed.
Use of a bandage
Elastic bandage is a cheaper and at the same time unpretentious tool. For its proper use, however, it is important to master at least the basics of the technique of lambing for varicose veins. To do this, follow the following recommendations:
- The bandage is wound from the bottom up, starting from the foot, from the toes, then the ankle, which moves higher. Depending on the nature and appearance of varicose veins, you can start from the lower part of the lower leg without affecting the foot.
- Apply the strips slightly overlapping, this is the maximum effectiveness, and this technique also prevents the bandage from slipping or unwinding.
- If the foot is wrapped, when moving to the tibia, the heel remains free, and at the junction between the ankle and the tibia, the loop is laid across.
- Do not twist the bandage roller too much, it must be assembled, placed almost close to the leg, so as not to create excessive tension.
- Remember that the compression must be higher on the lower leg and the tension will gradually decrease during the ascent.
There is a way to check if the bandage was applied correctly. Immediately after wrapping, the toes become cyanotic, which should disappear after 2-3 minutes. If there was no cyanosis at all, the bandage is wound too loosely, if the effect persists, you have reached too strong compression, relax the bandage, massage the leg and try again.