Varicose veins are one of the pressing problems of modern people, which everyone can face due to age, professional occupation and several other reasons. Of course, on the slightest suspicion of the development of varicose veins, it is necessary to see 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 medications, physiotherapy, massage, and more. Part of the treatment is to wear special compression garments, which will be discussed.
Wearing compression garments
Before discussing why you need compression underwear, you need to understand what constitutes varicose veins, only then the operating principles of special stockings, tights and golf will become clear.
Veins are the channels that supply blood to the heart. Varicose veins are a disease in which these ducts undergo a number 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.
In addition, with varicose veins, the function of the venous valve is disrupted, which is designed so that blood can circulate to the heart (upwards). Lack of valves and deformation of the venous bed cause blood stasis, which in turn causes an increase in pressure in the blood vessels, this process is called varicose veins.
The principle of compression made by special underwear is to put pressure on the vessel which widens from the outside. The compression of the enlarged superficial veins provokes a redistribution of blood flow, directing it into the deep vessels. Therefore, the excess load is removed from the patient who is unable to function normally, and blood circulation is restored.
Properly chosen underwear puts different pressure on certain parts of the foot. It looks like this:
- The highest level of compression is on the lower part of the limb, the lower part of the lower leg;
- In the middle of the lower leg, the compression is 30% lower, i. e. 70% of the maximum compression;
- Closer to the knee, this indication decreases, and so on, depending on the type of underwear and the extent of the disease.
The approximate diagram shows that at the lowest part, the pressure should be higher because the movement of blood through the veins in this area requires more effort, i. e. more pressure. As the blood rises higher, the intravenous pressure gradually decreases, therefore, the load from the veins is relieved.
Properly selected compression underwear improves blood circulation, which allows you to improve the condition of patients with varicose veins, getting rid of the process of stagnation in the ducts. At the same time, the most natural conditions for blood movement are provided, for which this method of conservation therapy is completely safe.
Guidance
If we talk about where cases are shown wearing clothes in compression, the answer is mainly - varicose veins. This means that from the first stage of development of pathological processes, and ending with the most difficult - the third stage, the doctor prescribes the use of such underwear.
But also clothing in compression may be required for the prevention of varicose veins, if there is a suspicion of the development of the disease. In general, the following, more specific indicators can be distinguished:
- Pregnancy;
- Prevention of this disease, especially when there are factors that influence its development;
- Diagnosed varicose veins - as part of a comprehensive treatment and to prevent its development;
- Postoperative period - if surgery is performed to remove severe forms of varicose veins.
Contraindications
Although these methods of prevention and treatment are not safe, there are a number of contraindications to wearing compression pants:
- A severe form of venous thrombosis, which often develops in the late stages of varicose vein development;
- Active inflammatory processes at the bottom of various etiologies, especially purulent;
- Aortoarteritis;
- Endoarteritis;
- Trophic ulcers;
- Atherosclerosis;
- Damage to the skin.
It is also very important to choose the right compression product. Underwear should fit the patient and should not press on the foot, as this causes numbness, even more severe circulatory disorders and even deformation of the lower part of the foot.
At the same time, large washes, which are too loose, will not provide the necessary compression, the therapeutic effect will not be significant or will be reduced to zero.
Type of compression underwear
Depending on the circumstances in which compression underwear is used, the nature, stage of development of the pathological process, the scale, as well as some individual factors, the doctor may prescribe a particular 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 compressive effect. To choose the right tights, 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 the legs, hips, waist. According to patient reviews, tights can be easily removed, but in the process of wearing them, you should try, with evenly distributed products made of compression gowns. One of the main advantages of tights is that there are special models for women in its position.
- Stockings- similar in principle strictly, but only reaches the middle of the thigh (the same criteria is a guarantee of correct measurement), and also can not help during pregnancy. In other words, stockings are specially designed for the legs, limited to the thighs. In addition, even with the right product, many patients complain socks tend to slip during the day. This is not only less convenient, but also has a negative effect on the compression distribution.
- Knee stockings- intended primarily for cases when varicose veins affect the driest part of the leg, without rising higher. The knees, like special stockings, are more often used by men, but there are also female models. In addition, this type of underwear is more suitable for sports, because tight clothing partially impedes movement in the waist area, which is unacceptable when doing certain exercises.
- Elastic bandage- does not apply to underwear, but is still a compression product. The good thing about the bandage is that it doesn’t have to be chosen by size, it’s also suitable for people with any body size and is a much cheaper option. To use it, it is enough to bind the affected area, but in this case it is very important to distribute the tension clearly to provide the necessary compression, this factor is a serious drawback.
Notes!Underwear for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins are made of special compression gowns. This material is elastic, and also initially showed a strict classification, i. e. division according to the degree of compression and measurement. To choose underwear, it is important to see a doctor and buy them only from pharmacies.
Usage features
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 fulfill its function (provided you choose the right size). This means that it is enough to just wear underwear, divide it evenly, after which it will begin to have a healing effect.
Tights, stockings, knee -highs and socks can be worn all day, regardless of the type of job. However, in this case, it is still important to consult a phlebologist, who will give accurate recommendations on the duration of use and the complexity of its use, as each case of this disease is unique.
In addition, in order for laundry to last a long time, it must be handled properly:
- Wear with care to avoid damage to the compression gown.
- Wear underwear only on dry skin (if you have previously used the cream, wait until it is completely absorbed).
- To wear tights, stockings or knee -high, place your hands first, then flatten gently and gently over your feet.
- Also, experts recommend wearing underwear in the morning immediately after waking up, before waking up from sleep.
Using a bandage
Elastic bandages are a cheaper tool and at the same time unpretentious. However, for its proper use, it is important to master at least the basics of limb bandaging techniques for varicose veins. To do this, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- The bandage is wrapped from the bottom up, starting from the feet, from the toes, then the ankles, moving higher. Depending on the nature and prevalence of varicose veins, you can start from the bottom of the lower leg, without affecting the leg.
- Apply slightly overlapping strips, this is maximum efficiency, and this technique will also prevent the bandage from slipping or coming off.
- If the foot is bandaged, when moving to the shin side, the heel remains free, and at the junction between the ankle and the shin, the loop is placed horizontally.
- Do not twist the roll of bandage too much, it should be collected, located close to the foot, so as not to cause excessive tension.
- Remember that the compression should be higher on the lower leg, and the tension will gradually decrease during the climb.
There are ways to check if the bandage is being used properly. Immediately after wrapping, the toes become cyanotic, which will disappear after 2-3 minutes. If there is no cyanosis at all, the wound dressing is too loose, if the effect persists, you have reached too much pressure, release the bandage, massage your feet and try again.