Table of contents:
- What are compression stockings?
- When do you need to wear compression stockings?
- How do you choose the best product?
If you have a vein-related condition, are recovering a long time after surgery, or are just traveling on a long haul flight, compression stockings can help you deal with a variety of complaints. Learn why it is important to use compression stockings, how to choose the best fit, and how to use them in the right way.
What are compression stockings?
Compression stockings are a type of elastic hosiery specially designed to put pressure on your feet. The goal is to create a smooth blood circulation. Compression stockings are tighter on the leg, then gradually loosen up to the calf.
The pressure on the feet and ankles helps the blood vessels to pump blood so that more blood can return to the heart and less blood is stasised in the leg and calf area.
Therefore, compression stockings will not only reduce swelling and pain in your legs, but can also help prevent serious conditions such as blood clot formation.
When do you need to wear compression stockings?
Compression socks are usually recommended by a doctor if blood circulation in the legs is impaired. Generally caused by problems related to blood vessels. If your legs feel heavy at night or you experience swelling or pain, it is very important to see a doctor to find the root cause of this problem.
Next, the doctor will determine whether you need to use compression stockings or not. The use of compression stockings is usually required in the following conditions:
- Chronic venous insufficiency. This condition occurs when the valves in your blood vessels become damaged so they can't pump blood to your heart properly.
- Deep vein thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis or DVT).
- Varicose veins, which are enlarged veins due to valve problems or weakness in the walls of the blood vessels. Due to the enlarged diameter, normal pressure is not sufficient to pump blood back to the heart.
- Spider veins. Although not as severe as varicose veins, unfortunately this condition can develop into varicose veins. Compression therapy can stop this process or at least slow it down.
- Pregnancy. The leg veins are always affected during pregnancy. Often times pregnant women experience swelling of the legs because the enlarging uterus presses on the blood vessels and the presence of hormones that dilate the blood vessels.
- "Economy class syndrome". This syndrome is named as it is related to limited movement of your legs on long-distance flights or long trips by train or car. When the blood flow is stasised, it is easier for the blood to clot, which can have serious consequences when it travels to the lungs or heart.
How do you choose the best product?
Yes, there are various types of compression stockings for each need. Both in terms of pressure (light to very strong), size and length (knee-high to the top of the thigh), material, color, and others.
For example, for varicose veins with very mild symptoms, you may just need the usual knee-high or knee-length type of socks (which end just above the calf, below the knee).
However, if your symptoms are severe, you may be advised to use special compression stockings from medical supply stores (must be prescribed by a doctor) where specific measurements are taken for you first.
Therefore, it is very important to discuss this with your doctor first. Keep in mind that choosing the wrong kind has the potential to do more harm than good.
