Are Compression Stockings Effective And How To Choose The Right Pair
Compression stockings, a common piece of medical help wear, are gaining more and more popularity with elderly people and those who are having trouble with their weight. As with any piece of clothing, you’d ask yourself – does this look right on me? But with compression stockings, you might also be wondering – will this do me any good?
There are several reasons why people should use them in certain situations, and here you will find out if any of those conditions are on your checklist.
Varicose Veins
The most common problem people try to solve with compression socks is enlarged veins, that is – varicose veins. This is a phenomenon where usually the veins in the legs, especially the lower legs, become large and swollen and appear as blue lines on our skin. This condition is rather frequent; as much as 20% of adults have it at some point in their lives, though luckily, it is usually only a cosmetic issue.
If more severe, it causes heavy legs, cramps in the calves, numbness, and swollen feet. The issue is more prevalent with the elderly and with overweight people, though it can also occur after some type of surgery and if a person has suddenly lost a lot of weight. In all of those cases, there are various remedies one can try, though none are as universal and comfortable as compression stockings.
How Do They Work?
In short, they compress the muscles, thus allowing for a faster and easier blood flow through the veins. The long answer, of course, is more complex and interesting.
Blood flow is dictated by both the power of our heart pumping and by how our vascular system allows it to move. A more narrow vein restricts blood flow and also allows for clots to form, making it even more narrow, in return putting more pressure on the heart to pump faster and stronger. Looking at this website gives us a similar overview, and we can also see that sometimes they are used even by athletes, young and active people. A compression sock is made out of a stretchy material and grips the leg, or arm, in such a way that it relaxes the muscles while in a neutral stance, and with the relieving pressure of the muscles, all the blood vessels inside of it can expand a bit – thus improving blood flow.
So if you fall in any category of people who have a certain long-lasting strain on their legs, such as having to stand while at work for long, being overweight, or simply being extremely tall, compression socks will probably make your day better. You may also consult specialists for varicose veins treatment in Scottsdale if you need a compression therapy
Types Of Compression Stockings
These special kinds of socks are divided depending on the length and how tight they fit. Considering how they are supposed to work – making sure they are of the correct length is essential because if they are too short, they won’t cover the vital areas if they are too long, they will need to be rolled over a bit, creating a sport of greater pressure – one that can worsen blood flow.
Concerning fit – virtually any sock will fit any person because of the compression, but to maintain a good fit that is not too tight but just snug enough, your doctor needs to measure how much mmHg it needs. This measure, millimeters of mercury, is used to denominate pressure in the bloodstream and is a crucial indicator of one’s cardiovascular health.
To know which one is right for you is best determined by consulting a doctor, and if you don’t have that opportunity – trying out different models is the way to go. The most common one is a slip-on that reaches from the ankles to the knees and gives a very snug, but not painful, fit.
Keeping A Pair At Hand
Unless you fall under the category of those with a risk of deep vein thrombosis, you probably won’t need to carry them all the time, only when you are on your feet for long periods. This is a practice that even active athletes use, though it hasn’t been proven to make a major difference in their performance. But either way – they testify that it feels good to have such socks or sleeves on.
As well as bandages that help stop bleeding and also relieve the pressure of a hurting joint or muscle – so compression socks do a similar job in a much less dramatic situation. This relatively small yet surprisingly helpful piece of cloth should be everybody’s go-to when they start having aching or swollen legs.
