Varicose veins are one of the urgent problems of a modern person, which 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 maximum effect, conservative treatment involves an integrated approach, including the use of medications, physical therapy, 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 will the principle of operation of special stockings, tights and golf courses be clarified.
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 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, which are designed so that blood can flow to the heart (upward), is disrupted. The insufficiency of the valves and the deformation of the venous bed leads to stagnation of the blood, which in turn causes an increase in pressure within the vessels, this process is called varicose veins.
The principle of compression created by specialized underwear is to apply pressure to the dilated vessels from the outside. Compression of the enlarged superficial veins causes a redistribution of blood flow, directing it towards the deep vessels. Due to this, the excessive burden of patients who cannot function normally is removed and blood circulation is restored.
Correctly selected underwear puts different pressure on certain parts of the leg. Does it look like this:
- The highest degree of compression is in the lower part of the limb, 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 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 because the movement of the blood through the veins in this area requires much more effort, that is, more pressure. As the blood increases, the intravenous pressure gradually decreases, consequently, the load on the veins is relieved.
Correctly selected compression underwear improves blood circulation, which allows you to improve the condition of the patient with varicose veins and get rid of 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 in 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 required for the prevention of varicose veins, if there is a suspicion of the development of this disease. In general, the following more specific indications can be distinguished:
- The 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 to prevent its progression;
- Postoperative period: if operations were performed to remove severe forms of varicose veins.
Contraindications
Despite the safety and harmlessness of this prevention and treatment method, there are several contraindications to 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 extremities of various etiologies, especially purulent;
- Aortoarteritis;
- Endoarteritis;
- 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 put pressure on the legs, as this leads to numbness, even more serious circulatory disorders and even deformations of the lower extremities.
At the same time, large clothes, that is, too loose, will not provide the necessary compression, respectively, the therapeutic effect will be negligible or will be reduced to zero.
Types of compression underwear
Depending on the situation in which compression underwear is used, the nature, the degree of progression of the pathological process, its scale, as well as a number of individual factors, the doctor may prescribe a specific type of underwear. You can conventionally divide the attributes to create compression into 4 types:
- Tights- the most common and highly effective type of decoration that has a compression effect. To choose the correct size for your leggings, you need to make sure that they reach the waist, not higher or lower. Also, they should not be too loose, but at the same time, make sure they do not pinch your legs, hips, waist. According to patient reviews, the stockings can be easily removed, but in the process of putting them on, you need to make efforts, evenly distributing the product made from compression stockings. One of the main advantages of leggings is that there are special models for women in position.
- Tights- similar in principle to stockings, but only reaches mid-thigh (the same criterion is a guarantee of the correct size), and can not help in any way during pregnancy. That is, the stockings are designed exclusively for the legs, limited to the thigh. Also, even with the right product, many patients complain that the stockings tend to slip during the day. This is not only less convenient, but it also negatively affects the compression distribution.
- Knee high socks- They are mainly intended for those cases in which varicose veins affect the area especially the shin of the leg, without rising more. Men more often wear knee-high socks, such as specialty socks, but there are also female models. In addition, this type of underwear is more suitable for sports, since the tights partially hinder movement in the waist area, which is unacceptable when performing certain exercises.
- Elastic band- does not apply to underwear, but is still a compression product. The good thing about the bandage is that it is not necessary to select it according to size, it is also suitable for people of any body size 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 serious drawback.
Note!Underwear for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins is made of special compression stockings. This material is elastic, and also initially involves a strict classification, that is, division according to the degree of compression and size. To choose underwear, it is important to consult a doctor and buy it only in a pharmacy.
Usage characteristics
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 (as long as 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.
Stockings, hosiery, knee-high socks and socks can be worn throughout the day, regardless of the type of work. However, in this matter, it is still important to consult a phlebologist, who will give you precise recommendations on the duration of use and the complexities of use, because each case of the disease is unique.
In addition, for clothing to last a long time, it must be handled correctly:
- Use carefully to avoid damaging compression stockings.
- The use of underwear should only be on dry skin (if you previously used the cream, wait until it is completely absorbed).
- To evenly put on knee-high stockings, stockings, or leggings, first place your hand on them, and then evenly and gradually distribute over the leg.
- In addition, experts recommend putting your underwear on 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 fundamentals of the limb bandage technique for varicose veins. To do this, you need to follow the following recommendations:
- The bandage is rolled from the bottom up, starting from the foot, from the toes, then the ankle, going up. Depending on the nature and prevalence of varicose veins, it can start from the lower leg, without affecting the foot.
- Apply the stripes slightly overlapping, this is the maximum effectiveness, and this technique will also prevent the bandage from slipping or unrolling.
- If the foot is wrapped, when it is moved to the shin part, the heel remains free, and at the junction between the ankle and the shin, the loop is placed transversely.
- Do not turn 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 greatest in 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 turn cyanotic, which should disappear after 2-3 minutes. If there was no cyanosis at all, the bandage is too loose, if the effect persists, you have reached too strong a compression, unroll the bandage, massage your leg and try again.