Varicose veins continue to conquer the world.
He may have already reached your house. If not, it could happen in the future.
Remember that in the developed countries of Europe and North America, varicose veins affect up to 35% of adults. Moreover, with age, the number of patients only increases.
How to be?
Visit a phlebologist. He will prescribe you treatment and possibly advise you to buy bedding for varicose veins. We'll talk about him later.
Do you think varicose veins are not dangerous?
Let's see if that's the case.
Varicose veins- This is an expansion of the leg veins, which occurs due to the weakening of the venous valves. It interferes with blood circulation.
It is strange that the disease itself is not life-threatening for patients. Yes, it's uncomfortable. For example, varicose veins have symptoms:
- Edema
- Itching and stinging
- Tired legs
- Skin discoloration
- Convulsions
- Vascular spider web
It doesn't sound scary. Not surprisingly, many people ignore the symptoms of the disease for years, and sometimes decades.
We understand why they do it. But that doesn’t mean these people are right.
The main danger with varicose veins is not the symptoms, but the complications.
Trophic ulcers - necrosis of certain areas of the skin due to circulatory disorders. Such defects take a very long time to heal. Ulcers are more likely to reappear after therapy.
Blood clots are blood clots that form when a vessel wall is damaged. They are useful in some situations. For example, if you cut yourself, blood clots will prevent heavy bleeding.
There are also less pleasant examples.
When the venous walls are damaged, blood clots accumulate on them. The problem is that they block blood flow and interfere with the supply of nearby tissues.
But this is not so bad either.
When the blood clots break off and go through the body along with the blood, the real death games begin. If blood clots enter the heart or brain and clog blood vessels there, the patient may die.
After such varicose veins, they no longer look like a harmless disease.
Of course, the disease does not die in a few days. Dangerous complications sometimes appear only after a few years, but that does not mean that there is no need for treatment. See your doctor as soon as possible.
An integrated approach is used to combat varicose veins. This means that it is impossible to get rid of diseased blood vessels only with the help of medication or exercise. Even treating varicose veins with compression stockings alone will not solve the problem. But it will become an important part of the therapy and will alleviate the symptoms of the disease.
You may not believe that underwear will help you. After all, how is knitwear related to dishes?
We'll tell you about that now.
Healing Pressure - How Compression Garments Help Blood Vessels
Varicose veins do not pump blood well to the heart. Knitwear creates pressure on certain parts of the legs. This improves blood circulation and reduces stress on the venous walls.
Underwear with varicose veins creates a kind of frame around the blood vessels. This support prevents the spread of weak veins and keeps their walls in good condition.
The choice of pressure force depends on the leg area. For example, a jersey with maximum pressure is usually used on the ankles. In this area, the blood begins to rise to the heart and it takes a lot of effort to overcome the force of gravity.
But on the hips, the jersey is used with a pressure of 40% of the maximum. Here the blood in the veins moves more easily and does not need strong support.
Consult a phlebologist for a suitable compression garment. An incorrectly chosen jersey will not help your boats, but it will harm them.
Here are the situations in which certain types of underwear are used.
Types of compression stockings
In order for underwear against varicose veins to have a beneficial effect on the veins, you need to choose it correctly. These are medical devices that are not always useful for blood vessels. Again, too much laundry pressure will only worsen the condition of the veins.
If you are buying a jersey for the treatment of varicose veins, then first go through a medical examination. He will check the condition of the blood vessels and determine which compression garment is right for you.
It is divided into 3 main types:
- Socks
- Leggings
- Knee socks
The choice of knitwear depends on the location of the diseased veins, your lifestyle and other factors.
We will talk further about the advantages of socks, tights and golf.
Compression socks
This is the name of a product for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins. It is mainly used in the early stages of the disease. Socks against varicose veins tightly wrap around the legs and press on the walls of blood vessels, improving blood circulation. They also:
- Prevents the formation of blood clots
- Remove the swelling
- Relieve pain after prolonged standing
- Protects against varicose veins
Knitted socks for the treatment of varicose veins are also used during pregnancy. When carrying a child, the blood vessels in a woman’s body are exposed to great stress and often swell. Therefore, during 2-3 trimesters, doctors advise pregnant women to wear this underwear.
Compression socks are versatile. They help with varicose veins even above the knee, but are more comfortable to wear than leggings.
Compression tights
This type of jersey completely covers the legs from the toes to the waist. Leggings made of varicose veins do not slip when walking and are comfortable to wear. However, you have to keep in mind that you will have to take them off several times a day, and that takes time.
This underwear is often recommended for pregnant women because it not only protects the veins, but also supports the stomach.
If the problems with the blood vessels have spread above the hips, leggings against varicose veins from socks or stockings will help better. Their functions:
- Improving blood circulation
- Leg muscle massage
- Venous wall support
- Elimination of excess lymph fluid
Compression tights are used to prevent and treat varicose veins. They are also prescribed for recovery after leg surgery.
Compression stockings
Socks for varicose veins are prescribed to people with diseased veins on the lower legs. If problems with blood vessels have appeared below the knee, then such underwear will help you.
They do not restrict movement. So in golf you can practice or walk. Many take them with them on trips.
This underwear performs the following functions:
- Narrows blood vessels
- Strengthens venous walls
- Removes edema
Socks against varicose veins are comfortable to wear under clothing. If necessary, they can be removed quickly, for example, during a doctor's examination.
Remember - the effectiveness of knitwear depends on how much pressure on your feet. These are the so-called compression classes. We will talk about them later.
Knitwear classes against varicose veins
The compression class of a laundry is measured in millimeters of mercury or mmHg. Art. As we have already said, the pressure is maximum on the feet. It decreases from the bottom up. Therefore, the upper part of the jersey hardly puts pressure on the legs.
There are 4 classes of compression:
1st class: Pressure from 18 to 22 mmHg. Art. It is used to prevent varicose veins and treat the initial stage of the disease.
2nd grade: Pressure from 23 to 32 mmHg. Art. It is prescribed for the treatment of grade 2 varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. Wear it and your ulcers will heal faster.
3rd grade: Pressure from 33 to 45 mmHg. Art. Doctors prescribe this underwear to patients with trophic disorders and venous insufficiency.
4th grade: Pressure 46 to 50 mmHg. Art. Such a knit helps to fight lymphostasis and edema in case of complications of varicose veins. It is often prescribed after surgery.
You can buy knitwear for prevention yourself, without consulting a phlebologist. It doesn’t tighten your legs too much and won’t hurt. But class 2-4 underwear should only be chosen by a doctor.
How to choose a compression garment to avoid varicose veins
If you are going to buy knitwear to prevent varicose veins, start measuring. When you wake up, don't get out of bed. Measure the circumference of the leaves, thighs and ankle immediately. You also need to know the length of your feet and legs. These measures will come in handy when buying underwear.
Choose leggings, socks or tights based on the location of the problematic veins. If they are below the knee, your thighs will fit. To stop the development of varicose veins on the thighs, buy anti-varicose socks or tights.
Pay attention to the knitted fabric. Give preference to cotton products - they are light and comfortable to wear. Some manufacturers produce underwear with antibacterial and antifungal coatings. You won't mind the unpleasant smell.
Manufacturers produce a wide range of compression stockings. All you have to do is choose socks, tights or leggings that suit you.
Postoperative care - how much to wear knitwear after treatment
If you have varicose veins in the late phase and you have had vascular surgery, then you must wear special underwear for complete recovery. A phlebologist will tell you how long you have to walk in it.
Do not interrupt the knitting routine.
Remember, the doctor prescribed you this underwear for a reason. The effectiveness of the treatment directly depends on whether you wear knitwear or not.
Imagine, you decided without pantyhose that brushed your teeth for just one day. That seems to be fine.
But that is not the case.
The jersey closes the wound left after the operation. Prevents air entry and prevents blood poisoning. Also, underwear protects blood vessels from the formation of blood clots.
Don't risk your health. You have already undergone surgery, and now complete recovery does not depend on the doctor. Take a few months and you can return to a full life with healthy veins.
The phlebologist decides how long to wear the jersey. You can't take it off for a long time without consulting him.
We will tell you in detail how much to wear compression stockings after phlebectomy and sclerotherapy.
After miniphlebectomy
After the operation, the treated leg must be covered with an elastic jersey. It has been shown to reduce intradermal bleeding and pain. Also, especially underwear helps prevent vein thrombosis.
Compression stockings should be worn for at least a week after miniphlebectomy. The maximum period is 6 weeks. During this period, 2nd class knitwear is usually assigned, but it is pointless to use it further. A Class 1 sail is sufficient to support the vessel.
After sclerotherapy
The period of wearing compression stockings depends on the number of treated blood vessels. For example, if a doctor has cured 1-2 veins, then you need to wear socks or tights for only 3-4 months. During this time, new, healthy blood vessels will appear.
If the phlebologist has cured 5-6 veins, walking in class 2 knitwear will take longer, up to 6 months. Then the doctor will perform an examination and if the recovery is successful, you will be able to use lower compression underwear.
7 signs that you need to wear compression stockings
Such underwear is useful not only for varicose veins. We recommend that you consider purchasing a preventative jersey if you have any of these signs:
- Excess weight
- Pregnancy
- Vascular asterisks
- Strong loads on the legs
- Passive lifestyle
- Diabetes
- Predisposition to vascular disease
In obesity, elastic stockings from varicose veins help to lose weight faster. They remove excess fluid, smooth out wrinkles and tone the skin.
For pregnant women, underwear helps maintain abdominal muscles. This prevents many problems, such as uterine prolapse.
Who is contraindicated to wear compression stockings
Unfortunately, not everyone can benefit from the benefits of underwear with special veins. In some diseases it is dangerous. Here is a list of them:
- Severe angiopathy and diabetic polyneuropathy
- Trophic ulcers not associated with vascular disease
- Acute soft tissue infection
- Cardiopulmonary insufficiency
- Septic phlebitis
Second treatment of varicose veins with socks is contraindicated for people with chronic diseases of the arteries of the legs, if the upper pressure has fallen below 80 mm Hg. Art.
Extending the life of knitwear - rules of care
If you want compression underwear for varicose veins to help you recover, you need to take proper care of it. For example, it should be followed daily.
You may ask, "Why, because I don’t soil it? ".
Despite this, dust accumulates on the socks during the day. In addition, dead skin cells are deposited on them. So you can't do without washing.
Use baby soap or other products made for delicate fabrics. Wash your laundry by hand.
But what can't you do about it:
- Cook
- Squeeze
- Dry on a horizontal surface
This will damage the socks and make them useless for treatment.
By following these simple rules, you can use one jersey until recovery.
If you've read so far, you may have learned a lot about compression clothing. It remains for us to tell where it will help you choose it.
Doctors will quickly diagnose and select compression stockings
If you do not need to choose underwear for prevention, but for the treatment of varicose veins, then you cannot do it without the help of a phlebologist. We recommend that you make an appointment at a specialized clinic.
The doctor will examine the anamnesis and perform the examination. He will then perform an ultrasound diagnosis - he will show the diseased veins down to the smallest detail.
After making the diagnosis, the doctor will determine if you need knitwear, and if so, which one. To choose it, the doctor must know the size and shape of the leg, as well as your daily routine.
To learn how to buy compression stockings, just consult a phlebologist at a medical center.