Varicose veins are one of the pressing problems of a modern person, which everyone can face due to age, professional occupation 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 maximum effect, conservative treatment implies an integrated approach, which includes the use of drugs, 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 constitutes varicose veins, only then the principle of operation of special socks, tights and golf will become clear.
Veins are the vessels that supply blood to the heart. Varicose veins are a disease in which these vessels undergo a number of pathological changes. In particular, the veins stretch 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, designed so that blood can circulate to the heart (upward), is disrupted. Insufficiency of the 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 the specialized underwear consists in applying pressure to the dilated vessels from the outside. Compression of the enlarged superficial veins causes a redistribution of blood flow, directing it into the deep vessels. Due to this, the excessive load is removed from patients who are unable to function normally, and blood circulation is restored.
Correctly selected underwear exerts different pressure on certain parts of the leg. It looks something like this:
- The highest degree of compression is on the lowest part of the limb, the lower leg;
- In the center of the lower leg, the compression is 30% less, which is 70% of the maximum compression;
- Closer to the knee, these indicators decrease even more, and so on, depending on the type of underwear and the extent of the disease.
Such an approximate diagram shows that in the lower section, the pressure should be higher due to the fact that the movement of blood through the veins in this area requires much more effort, that is, more pressure. As the blood rises higher, the intravenous pressure gradually decreases, as a result, the load from the veins is relieved.
Correctly selected compression underwear improves blood circulation, allowing to improve the condition of the patient with varicose veins, eliminate stagnant processes in the vessels. At the same time, the most natural conditions for blood movement 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 such underwear.
But compression underwear may also be needed for the prevention of varicose veins, if the development of this disease is suspected. In general, the following more specific indications can be distinguished:
- Pregnancy;
- Prevention of the disease, especially in the presence of factors that predispose its development;
- Diagnosed varicose veins - as part of a comprehensive treatment and in order to prevent their progression;
- Postoperative period - if operations were performed to eliminate severe forms of varicose veins.
Contraindications
Despite the safety and harmlessness of this method of prevention and treatment, there are a number of contraindications for wearing compression underwear:
- Severe forms of venous thrombosis, which often develop in the final stage of the progression of varicose veins;
- Active inflammatory processes in the lower limbs of various etiologies, especially purulent;
- aortoarteritis;
- endarteritis;
- Trophic ulcers;
- atherosclerosis;
- Damage to the skin.
It is also very important to choose the right compression products. Underwear should fit the patient, and in no case should it press the legs, as this leads to numbness, even more severe circulatory disorders and even deformation of the lower limbs.
At the same time, a large, that is, too large laundry will not provide the necessary compression, respectively, the therapeutic effect will be insignificant or will be reduced to zero.
Types of compression underwear
Depending on the situation in which compression underwear is used, the nature, degree of progression of the pathological process, its scale and a number of individual factors, the doctor can prescribe a specific 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, you need to make sure they reach the waist, no higher or lower. In addition, they should not be too loose, but at the same time make sure that they do not pinch the legs, hips, waist. According to patient reviews, tights can be easily removed, but in the process of putting them on, you need to make efforts, evenly distribute the product made of compression stockings. One of the main advantages of tights is that there are special models for women in position.
- stockings- similar in principle to pantyhose, but only reaching the middle of the thigh (the same criterion is a guarantee of the correct size), and also can in no way help during pregnancy. In other words, the socks are meant 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, but also negatively affects the compression distribution.
- Knee socks- are mainly intended for those cases in which varicose veins affect the particularly tibial part of the leg, without rising higher. Knee-highs, like special socks, are most often used by men, but there are also female models. In addition, this type of underwear is more suitable for sports, because tights partially hinder 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 blindfold is that it doesn't need to be sorted by size, it is also suitable for people of any build and is a much cheaper option. To use it, 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 major drawback.
Note!Underwear for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins is made from special compression stockings. This material is elastic and initially also implies a strict classification, that is, a division according to the degree of compression and size. To choose underwear it is important to consult a doctor and buy it only at the pharmacy.
Features of use
The main advantage of tights, socks and golf is the fact that when you buy them, you immediately get a product that is guaranteed to perform its functions (provided you choose the right size). This means that it is enough to simply put on the underwear, distribute it evenly, after which it will begin to have a healing effect.
Tights, stockings, knee-highs and socks can be worn throughout the day, regardless of the type of work. However, in this matter, it is still important to consult with a phlebologist, who will give precise recommendations on the duration of use and the complexity of use, because each case of the disease is unique.
In addition, in order for the laundry to last a long time, it must be handled correctly:
- Wear with care to avoid damaging the compression stockings.
- Wearing underwear should only be on dry skin (if you have previously used the cream, wait until it is completely absorbed).
- To wear tights, stockings or knee-highs evenly, first put your hand in them, then distribute them evenly and gradually over the leg.
- In addition, experts recommend wearing 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 basics of the limb bandage technique for varicose veins. To do this, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
- The bandage is wrapped from the bottom up, starting from the foot, from the toes, then from the ankle, moving higher. Depending on the nature and prevalence of varicose veins, one can start from the lower leg, without affecting the foot.
- Apply the strips slightly overlapping, this is the maximum efficiency and this technique will also prevent the bandage from slipping or unrolling.
- If the foot is wrapped, then when moving to the shin part, the heel remains free, and at the intersection of the ankle and the shin, the ring is laid transversely.
- Do not twist the roll of the bandage too much, it should be collected, located almost close to the leg, so as not to create excessive tension.
- Remember that the compression should be greater on the lower leg and the tension will gradually decrease as you climb.
There is a way to check if the bandage has been applied correctly. Immediately after wrapping, the toes become cyanotic, which should disappear after 2-3 minutes. If there was no cyanosis, the bandage is wrapped too loosely, if the effect persists, you have reached too strong a compression, unroll the bandage, massage the leg and try again.