The anti-varicose jersey 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 distance from the heart are at risk of developing pathological venous disorders. In this way, thanks to wearing medical underwear, the condition of blood flow is improved, painful sensations, swelling and heaviness in the legs are eliminated. Therefore, if you are at risk of developing varicose veins, have already encountered it or show signs of impaired venous circulation (due to static loads, pregnancy, sedentary lifestyle), you should start using preventive underwear for compression indaily wear.
Compression underwear for varicose veins
Earlier, phlebologists prescribed elastic bandages for this purpose. Now this tool is not popular due to the presence of a number of significant drawbacks: the difficulty of the dressing, the uneven degree of compression, the unaesthetic appearance, the rapid loss of compression properties and as a result of this slippage.
The difference between modern compression underwear is the complete opposite of the above disadvantages:
- ease of use (compared to the bandage) from dressing, wearing to removing bed linen;
- 4 classes of compression - which allows individual selection of bed linen with the required level of compression of varicose veins;
- made of high-tech materials: linen - made of hypoallergenic natural cotton with a high degree of elasticity; knitwear made of synthetic fibers - nylon, lycra, elastodiene, microfiber, which makes it possible to wear skirts and dresses;
- the tight fit does not allow the laundry to slip;
- long service life of the underwear, with proper care - from 5 to 12 months (for daily wear).
What are the benefits of compression underwear? The compression garment creates distributed pressure from the lower part of the legs to the upper part. The gradual pressure with different force varies from the ankle to the thigh, in percentage terms it is from 100% to 20% of the compression determined by the underwear.
Expert opinion
The gradual reduction of the compression rate is physiologically justified: with the blood flow upwards, the load on the venous system decreases. It is therefore advisable to reduce the maximum upward pressure. Thanks to this principle of action, wearing compression underwear 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 knitwear used for?
The medical industry offers a fairly large range of compression underwear. There are compression knitwear for women and underwear for the treatment of varicose veins in men. There is also a classification according to the therapeutic tasks assigned to the compression garment:
- preventive underwear: minimal compression of the lower extremities to eliminate high blood pressure in them;
- medical underwear: medium and maximum compression for the treatment of varicose veins;
- postoperative underwear: used in hospitals, the choice of compression knitwear is made by a doctor.
Depending on the existing or probable location of venous disorders of the lower body, you can choose a certain type of medical underwear - compression tights, knee or socks.
Compression socks
Socks are recommended mainly for athletes with increased running for preventive purposes. Wearing compression stockings will reduce the risk of venous disorders and help those who have experienced them. During the use of compression stockings, the blood circulation in the foot improves and the muscle tone increases due to point-directed compression of the heel and the area of the foot. This type of laundry can be used both during and after prolonged effort.
Compression heights to the knee
Socks are suitable for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins, provided that the varicose veins are located below the knee. The knees cover the legs from foot to knee. Their elastic compression properties ensure a precise fit of the foot, maintain the tone of the ankle and are effective in preventing heaviness in the foot.
How to choose a compression knee for men? It seems that more compression garments are aimed at women. This is a delusion. In terms of design, men's knee is practically no different from regular socks, so they should not cause restrictions during the wearing period.
The dimensions of such compression garments, such as high to the knee, are chosen in accordance with the anatomical profile of the lower limbs.
To do this, you need to make some measurements (in centimeters):
- shin circumference above the ankle and below the knee;
- length from leg to knee.
Compression socks
It is possible to achieve a therapeutic and prophylactic effect in the fight against pathologies of the venous system with the help of socks. Due to the need, elastic stockings from varicose veins of increased length are sometimes used: to the groin area or with a clasp at the waist.
There is a silicone elastic on the inside of the sock. It protects this compression jersey from slipping. Medical socks with a buckle at the waist are fixed with an elastic belt with contact tape. Such socks are divided into half pairs, there are left and right. It is possible to combine mono socks in tights.
This type of socks, as a special compression underwear for legs with varicose veins, has the maximum degree of effectiveness.
Finding the best compression stockings for women and men is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. The range of such underwear on the medical market is quite wide. It takes into account the financial possibilities and preferences for the appearance of the underwear. Therefore, it is possible to buy compression socks in accordance with your own wishes, and not just guided by the doctor's recommendations regarding the therapeutic and prophylactic properties of underwear. When making a purchase, it is important to remember that an orthopedic salon or pharmacy that sells compression underwear protects you from buying a counterfeit. Only there you can buy a certified high quality compression product.
Compression tights for women
The most common type of medical and prophylactic underwear for women are compression tights, although they are quite difficult to put on.
Depending on what effect is important to achieve, the following types of compression tights are distinguished: preventive and therapeutic. Preventive elastic tights are chosen independently according to parameters such as height and weight. You can buy this compression jersey both in pharmacies and in regular medical supply stores. In addition to improving the venous system, they have a corrective and slimming effect on the waist, buttocks and thighs.
Expert opinion
If you can choose products for preventive compression, then the jersey for medical compression is chosen exclusively by a doctor. Such tights, socks and stockings are subject to mandatory medical certification according to RAL-standard-GZ 387 and are available for sale only in salons for medical equipment and pharmacies.
The line includes types of compression tights, different in texture and color. Both are the most transparent and dense opaque, which allow masking of venous manifestations on the skin. When choosing a model, pay attention to the sock: there are products with open and closed toes.
It is recommended to combine compression knitwear 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 anti-inflammatory and cosmetic effects. The cream is applied to the skin of the feet from the bottom up with massaging movements until completely absorbed, 1-2 times a day in the morning before putting on compression garments and in the evening after removing them. The cream has undergone clinical trials and is highly valued by phlebologists as an effective adjuvant in the fight against varicose veins of the lower extremities. For use outside the home is a very convenient toning foot spray with extracts of butcher and witch hazel. Thanks to its light, no-trace formula and convenient release form, it can be applied to nylon compression tights. Spray 1-2 times a day from a distance of 15 cm to slightly moisturize the skin. Both products are developed by specialists of a pharmaceutical company and have the necessary documents and quality certificates.
Compression elastic underwear - tights, socks and knee-high, require effort when dressing. It is important to follow the following rules:
- dress in a supine position after waking up;
- do not stretch or twist the product excessively;
- gather the upper part of the tights and gradually straighten them to the lower leg and top.
In order to facilitate the procedure for applying compression knitwear, special devices are produced for users of different categories: overweight, with limited mobility, for passengers (folding design).
How to choose compression knitwear?
When the question arises how to choose compression stockings, given the size, you need to read the information on the package.
Compression garments are manufactured in strict accordance with quality standards. The strictest is the European standard RAL-GZ 387. Its norms regulate:
- composition of compression underwear;
- safety of the materials used;
- properties of compression, elasticity, strength of the produced linen;
- labeling requirements for packaging.
According to these standards, the compression class and pressure must be indicated on the packaging of quality-certified underwear in millimeters of mercury and not in denominations (as in ordinary socks).
If the packaging of the underwear bears the inscription Oko-Tex® Standard 100, it means that this compression garment has been tested by independent institutes that are part of the international community of Oeko-Tex. They check tissue samples for compliance with pH, formaldehyde content, chlorine-containing substances and the possible presence of heavy metals. Based on the results of a successful inspection, a quality certificate is issued - Oko-Tex® Standard 100.
When buying underwear with the above markings, you can be sure that it is:
- will allow you to achieve an appropriate therapeutic effect;
- environmentally friendly;
- will serve not less than the service life specified by the manufacturer.
Elastic compression stockings: compression classes for all garments
According to the degree of pressure generated in medical elastic knitwear, 4 classes of compression are distinguished, in accordance with the RAL-GZ 387 standard.
- Compression class I: has low (mild) preventive pressure (18-21 mm Hg). Indications for wearing underwear with compression class I are: tendency to develop varicose veins, heaviness in the legs, edema, spider veins, pregnancy.
- Compression class II: has a medium pressure (22-32 mm Hg). This is the most commonly used compression class for medical clothing. 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 underwear is used in severe lymphovenous insufficiency, trophic pathologies, deep vein thrombosis.
- Compression class IV: exerts the highest possible pressure (above 59 mm Hg). Underwear with this class of compression is used for congenital anomalies of the veins and to eliminate lymphedema with accompanying edema.
Preventive underwear with the first compression class can be purchased independently. But how to choose medical compression underwear with already developed varicose veins can only tell 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 compression stockings will be for the veins as a supporting frame. Accurate foot measurements will help you choose the right socks, namely:
- leg to knee length;
- shin circumference above the ankle and below the knee;
- hip circumference at a distance of 25-30 cm from the knee;
- the length of the leg from the foot to the groin.
Once the phlebologist prescribes bedding of the appropriate compression class and making measurements, it is important to determine the size of the socks. The range includes a large number of sizes from XS to XLX. The size may vary depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, the choice of compression garments must be made in accordance with the size chart of a particular manufacturer.
Properly selected socks will fit snugly on your feet. There may be a feeling of discomfort from wearing medical underwear at first, but over time it will pass.
How to choose compression tights?
To choose tights, in addition to the above measurements, it is necessary to measure the volume of the thighs and waist circumference.
Compression garments are manufactured by many manufacturers. And with varicose veins, I want to know which is better than the others, so as not to waste valuable time and money. Unfortunately, the best compression stockings for varicose veins can be chosen only on the basis of your own feelings from the direct wearing of such underwear.
The peculiarity of the tights is that they are selected strictly according to size, because the area on which they will produce pressure is maximum.
In most cases, the package contains information on how to wear compression tights. Do not ignore these recommendations - they will extend the life of underwear:
- Wear tights after 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 moisturized and smooth so as not to damage the fibers of the compression underwear.
- Compression tights should not be stretched or twisted.
- When dressing, gather the top of the pantyhose on an accordion and gradually distribute along the length of the leg, straightening the emerging folds.
Compression tights should be worn throughout the day and removed just before bedtime. The duration of use of the laundry is determined only by the doctor.
Compression stockings after surgery
The hospital T-shirt is indispensable after surgery. Good compression underwear in the postoperative period of treatment of varicose veins can alleviate a number of possible complications. Wearing hospital gowns reduces the risk of congestion and deep vein thrombosis.
The optimal compression pressure for this type of underwear is 15-18 mm Hg.
The compression of the recovery underwear is calculated taking into account that the patient will be in a horizontal position. Therefore, this type of underwear is not suitable as an everyday compression jersey.
The postoperative compression garment can be combined with any part of the body. The following types of bed linen can be distinguished:
- knee-high, tights;
- corsets for the spine;
- bandages.
A distinctive feature of postoperative compression garments is that they must be worn (not removed) for the first few days. Therefore, hospital linen should be highly elastic, trouble-free, hypoallergenic and provide an antimicrobial effect.
Women's compression underwear
In general, women's compression bedding is usually understood as cosmetic knitwear. Used after plastic surgery, it greatly facilitates and shortens the rehabilitation period. The most common type of such underwear is a compression vest after mammoplasty (Mammoplastica). During the rehabilitation period after surgery to correct the shape of the breast, it is important to wear fixative compression underwear, which:
- prevents the formation of scars;
- help relieve postoperative puffiness;
- pain reduction;
- relieve the feeling of heaviness in the operated area.
The required compression class of the corsage is regulated by the fasteners. Sometimes, along with a compression corsage, an additional compression belt is used to create maximum compression with postoperative underwear on the necessary areas of the body.
How to choose and how to wear compression garments for women for a long time is determined by the doctor. Improperly selected underwear can harm your body.
Compression underwear for pregnant women
During pregnancy, due to the increased load on the body, the manifestation of symptoms of various diseases is possible. Varicose veins too. To prevent such manifestations, many pregnant women are advised to wear preventive and therapeutic compression underwear.
During the first trimester, prophylactic compression stockings are used, mainly knee or socks, which will also protect the woman from heaviness syndrome in the legs and swelling.
Wearing a brace during pregnancy reduces stress on the spine.
From the second trimester, if indicated, medical underwear is prescribed: bandages, tights, socks. After birth, this type of medical underwear will help you recover faster. Often the function of the bandage is assigned to a high elastic insert in the front of the compression tights. It takes into account the anatomical features of a pregnant woman. Such underwear supports the stomach well and does not compress it. However, there may be contraindications to wearing such a leotard, so it is advisable to consult your doctor before buying medical underwear.
For pregnant women with varicose veins phlebologist recommends the use of compression stockings during childbirth and for a short period after them.