The anti-varicose jacket is designed to normalize the work of the circulatory system in the lower extremities. Compression underwear exerts precise design pressure on certain areas of the veins, which, due to their location far from the heart, are at risk of developing pathological venous disease. Thus, thanks to the use of medical underwear, the state of blood flow improves, painful sensations, swelling and heaviness in the legs are eliminated. Therefore, if you are at risk of developing varicose veins, have found them, or show signs of impaired venous circulation (due to static loads, pregnancy, sedentary lifestyle), you should start wearing preventive compression underwear for daily use.
Compression underwear for varicose veins
Previously, for this purpose, phlebologists prescribed elastic bandages. Now, this tool is not popular, due to the presence of a number of significant disadvantages: the difficulty of bandaging, an uneven degree of compression, an unsightly appearance, a rapid loss of compression properties and, as a result, slipping.
The difference between modern compression underwear is the complete opposite of the above disadvantages:
- ease of use (compared to bandaging) from putting on, using and removing the bedding;
- 4 compression classes - which allows the individual selection of linen with the required level of compression of the expanded veins;
- Made of high-tech materials: Linen - Hypoallergenic natural cotton with a high degree of elasticity; socks made of synthetic fibers - nylon, lycra, elastodien, microfiber, which allows the use of skirts and dresses;
- tight fit does not allow clothing to slip;
- long service life of the clothes, with due care - from 5 to 12 months (with daily use).
What is the use of compression underwear? Compression garment creates pressure distributed from the bottom of the legs to the top. The graduated pressure of variable strength varies from the ankle to the thigh, in percentage terms, it is 100% to 20% of the compression provided by the underwear.
Opinion of an 'expert
A gradual decrease in the percentage of compression is physiologically justified: with upward blood flow, the load on the venous system decreases. Therefore, it is advisable to reduce the maximum upward pressure. Due to this principle of action, the use of compression briefs stimulates and normalizes the flow of blood and lymph to the heart, preventing venous congestion.
Types of Compression Underwear
How to choose compression underwear for varicose veins and what is this or that type of mesh used for?
The medical industry offers a very wide range of compression underwear. There are compression stockings for women and underwear for treating varicose veins in men. There is also a classification according to the therapeutic tasks assigned to the compression strap:
- preventive underwear: minimal compression of the lower extremities to eliminate high blood pressure in the lower extremities;
- medical clothing: medium and maximum compression for the treatment of varicose veins;
- Postoperative underwear: used in hospitals, the selection of compression stockings is done by a doctor.
Depending directly on the existing or probable location of venous diseases of the lower body, you can choose a certain type of medical underwear - compression tights, pantyhose, or pantyhose.
Compression socks
Socks are primarily recommended for athletes with increased running loads for preventive purposes. Wearing compression stockings reduces the risk of venous disease and helps those who have had them. When wearing compression stockings, blood circulation in the foot improves and muscle tone increases due to compression directed by points in the heel and foot area. This type of clothing can be worn during and after prolonged exertion.
Knee-length compression
Stockings are indicated for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, as long as the varicose veins are located below the knee. Knee height covers the leg from foot to knee. Its elastic compression properties ensure a precise fit to the foot, maintain ankle tone, and are effective in preventing foot heaviness.
How to choose knee length compression for men? More compression garments seem to target women. It's an illusion. In terms of design, men's knee-length socks are practically no different from normal socks, so they shouldn't cause any embarrassment during the period of use.
The sizes of these compression garments, such as at knee height, are selected according to the anatomical profile of the lower extremities.
To do this, you need to take some measurements (in centimeters):
- shin circumference above the ankle and below the knee;
- length from foot to knee.
Compression socks
It is possible to obtain a therapeutic and prophylactic effect in combating pathologies of the venous system with the aid of stockings. Out of necessity, elastic stockings for varicose veins are sometimes used with increased length: up to the groin area or with a zip at the waist.
There is a silicone rubber band on the inside of the sock. Prevents this compression sock from slipping. The medical socks with a zip at the waist are secured with an elastic belt with contact tape. These socks are divided into half a pair, there are left and right. There is the possibility to combine mono socks in tights.
This type of sock, as a special compression underwear for legs with varicose veins, has the highest degree of effectiveness.
Finding the best compression stockings for women and men is not as difficult as it may first appear. The variety of these underwear on the medical market is quite wide. It takes into consideration the financial possibilities and preferences for the appearance of the clothing. Therefore, it is possible to purchase compression stockings according to your wishes, and not just guided by your doctor's recommendations regarding the therapeutic and prophylactic properties of linen. When making a purchase, it's important to remember that an orthopedic salon or pharmacy that sells compression underwear prevents you from buying a fake. Only there can you purchase a high-quality, certified compression product.
Compression tights for women
The most common type of medical and prophylactic underwear for women is compression tights, although they are quite difficult to wear.
According to the effect that is important to obtain, the following types of tight compression pants are distinguished: preventive and therapeutic. Preventive elastic stockings are independently selected according to parameters such as height and weight. You can buy this compression stocking at pharmacies and regular medical supply stores. In addition to improving the venous system, they have a corrective and slimming effect on the waist, buttocks and thighs.
Opinion of an 'expert
If you can choose preventive compression products on your own, then the medical compression stocking is exclusively selected by a doctor. These tights, socks and socks are subject to mandatory medical certification in accordance with RAL-GZ 387 and are available for sale only in medical equipment salons and pharmacies.
The schedule includes different types of compression stockings in texture and color. They are the most transparent and the most dense and opaque, which allow to mask the venous manifestations in the skin. When choosing a model, pay attention to the sock: there are products with open and closed fingers.
It is advisable to combine medical compression stockings for varicose veins with the use of local venotonic agents for the legs. Foot cream with horse chestnut extract and ginkgo biloba is suitable for daily care at home. Due to its natural composition, it relieves pain, tones, has an anti-inflammatory and cosmetic effect. The cream is applied to the skin of the legs from the bottom up with massaging movements until it is completely absorbed, 1-2 times a day in the morning before putting on the compression band and in the evening after removing it. The cream has undergone clinical studies and has been highly regarded by phlebologists as an effective adjuvant in combating varicose veins in the lower extremities. For outdoor use, a foot tonic spray with butcher and witch hazel extracts is very convenient. Thanks to its light, non-marking formula and comfortable release shape, it can be applied over nylon compression stockings. Spray 1-2 times a day at a distance of 15 cm to lightly moisturize the skin. Both products were developed by specialists from a pharmaceutical company and have the necessary documents and quality certificates.
Elastic compression underwear - tights, socks, and uppers require effort when putting on. It is important to observe the following rules:
- lay down on waking up;
- do not stretch or excessively twist the product;
- bring the top of the socks together and gradually straighten them towards the lower leg and above.
To facilitate the procedure for putting on compression stockings, special devices are produced for consumers of different categories: overweight, with limited mobility, for travelers (folding design).
How to choose compression socks?
When in doubt about choosing compression socks, given the size, you will need to read the package information.
Compression garments are manufactured in strict compliance with quality standards. The strictest is the European RAL-GZ 387 standard.
- compression underwear composition;
- safety of the materials used;
- compression properties, elasticity, strength of manufactured linen;
- requirements for labeling on packaging.
According to these standards, on quality certified linen packaging, the compression class and pressure must be indicated in millimeters of mercury, and not in denominations (as in common socks).
If there is an Oko-Tex® Standard 100 inscription on the linen packaging, it means that this compression garment has been tested by independent institutes that are part of the international Oeko-Tex community. They check tissue samples for pH, formaldehyde content, chlorine-containing substances and the possible presence of heavy metals. Based on the results of a successful verification, a quality certificate is issued - Oko-Tex® Standard 100.
When purchasing underwear with the above markings, you can be sure it is:
- will allow you to achieve an appropriate therapeutic effect;
- environmentally friendly;
- it will serve not less than the service life specified by the manufacturer.
Elastic compression stockings: compression classes for all clothing
According to the degree of pressure generated in the medical elastic meshes, there are 4 compression classes, according to the RAL-GZ 387 standard.
- Compression class I: has a low (slight) preemptive pressure (18-21 mm Hg). Indications for wearing class I compression underwear are: tendency to develop varicose veins, heaviness in the legs, edema, spider veins, pregnancy.
- Compression class II: has medium pressure (22-32 mm Hg). This is the most commonly used compression class for medical apparel. It is used for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis, in the treatment of varicose veins and acute thrombophlebitis (Thrombophlebitis).
- Compression class III: exerts strong pressure (33-46 mm Hg). This linen is used for severe lymphovenous insufficiency, trophic pathologies, deep vein thrombosis.
- Compression class IV: exerts the greatest possible pressure (above 59 mm Hg). Lingerie with this compression class is used for congenital abnormalities of the veins and to eliminate lymphedema with accompanying edema.
Preventive underwear with first class compression can be purchased independently. But how to choose medical compression underwear with already developed varicose veins can only be told by a doctor. It will explain why you need compression garments in your particular situation.
Compression socks: how to choose the size
Varicose veins are an irreversible disease that requires treatment. And the compression stockings will be for the veins as a support structure. Accurate leg measurements will help you choose the right socks, namely:
- length from foot to knee;
- shin circumference above the ankle and below the knee;
- thigh circumference at a distance of 25-30 cm from the knee;
- the length of the leg from the foot to the crotch crease.
After the phlebologist prescribes linen of the appropriate compression class and takes measurements, it is important to determine the size of the socks. The range includes a large number of sizes from XS to XLX. Grid size may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, the choice of compression garments should be made in accordance with a manufacturer's size chart.
Properly selected socks fit your leg well. Perhaps at first there is a feeling of discomfort from wearing medical underwear, but with time this will pass.
How to choose compression tights?
To choose pantyhose, in addition to the measurements above, it is necessary to measure the volume of the hips and waist circumference.
Compression garments are produced by many manufacturers. And with varicose veins, I want to understand which one is better than the others, so as not to waste precious time and money. Unfortunately, the best compression stocking for varicose veins can only be chosen based on your own feelings for the direct use of this underwear.
The peculiarity of socks is that they are selected strictly according to size, as the area over which they will produce pressure is maximum.
In most cases, the package contains information on how to wear compression stockings. Don't overlook these recommendations - they will prolong the life of your clothing:
- Wear pantyhose when waking up or after taking a shower. Important: the skin must be completely dry.
- It is necessary to monitor the condition of the skin - it must be hydrated and soft so as not to damage the fibers of the compression underwear.
- Compression tight pants must not be stretched or twisted.
- When putting on, gather the upper part of the sock in an accordion and gradually distribute it along the leg, straightening the emerging folds.
Compression socks should be worn throughout the day and removed before bed. The duration of use of clothing is determined only by the physician.
Compression stockings after surgery
The hospital shirt is irreplaceable after surgery. Good compression underwear in the postoperative period of varicose veins can alleviate a number of possible complications. The use of hospital gowns reduces the risk of congestion and deep vein thrombosis.
The ideal compression pressure for this type of underwear is 15 to 18 mm Hg.
Recovery underwear compression is calculated taking into account that the patient will be in a horizontal position. Therefore, this type of underwear is not suitable as everyday compression stockings.
Post-operative compression garments can be combined with any part of the body. The following types of linen can be distinguished:
- high socks, socks;
- corsets for the spine;
- bandages.
A distinctive feature of postoperative compression garments is that they should be worn (not removed) for the first few days. Therefore, hospital underwear must be highly elastic, seamless, hypoallergenic and with an antimicrobial effect.
Women's compression underwear
Basically, under the compression hospital gown for women, one understands the cosmetological socks. It is used after plastic surgery, facilitating and greatly shortening the rehabilitation period. The most common type of underwear is a post-mammoplasty compression bodice (Mamoplastica). During the rehabilitation period after surgery to correct the shape of the breast, it is important to wear compression-fixing underwear, which:
- prevents scars;
- helps relieve post-operative swelling;
- reduce pain;
- alleviate the feeling of heaviness in the operated area.
The required compression class of the bodice is regulated by the clasps. Sometimes, along with a compression brace, an additional compression strap is used to create maximum compression with post-operative underwear on the necessary areas of the body.
The choice and manner of wearing women's compression garments for a long time is determined by the physician. Incorrectly selected underwear can harm your body.
Compression underwear for pregnant women
During pregnancy, due to the increased load on the body, it is possible to manifest symptoms of various diseases. Varicose veins too. To protect against such manifestations, many pregnant women are advised to wear preventive and therapeutic compression underwear.
In the first trimester, prophylactic compression stockings are used, especially at the knee or socks, which also protect the woman from leg heaviness and swelling.
During pregnancy, wearing a brace reduces stress on the spine.
From the second trimester, if indicated, medical clothing is prescribed: bandages, tights, socks. After giving birth, this type of medical clothing will help you to recover faster. Often, the function of the bandage is attributed to a high elastic insert on the front of the compression pants. It takes into account the anatomical characteristics of a pregnant woman. These underwear support your stomach well and don't squeeze it. However, there may be contraindications for wearing this shirt, so it is advisable to consult your doctor before purchasing medicated underwear.
For pregnant women with varicose veins, the phlebologist recommends wearing elastic stockings during delivery and for a short period after delivery.