Compression socks are becoming more common among different groups of people, such as athletes and pregnant mothers. Compression stockings help relieve symptoms of vein diseases and also prevent them from becoming worse. Medical practitioners have now found other essential uses of compression socks.
- Post-Thrombotic Syndrome
Post-thrombotic syndrome is a condition that develops in people who have recovered from deep vein thrombosis(DVT) of the legs. DVT is a condition whereby blood clot forms in deep veins of the body especially on the legs.
Post-thrombotic syndrome(PTS) may cause swelling, chronic pain and heaviness on the leg, skin pigmentation, and significantly lower quality of life.
Wearing compression stockings is one of the treatments for post-thrombotic syndrome. The compression stockings help increase the rate of blood flow in the veins of the legs, thus reducing the swelling of the legs, the pain, and the discomfort associated with it. People who wear compression stockings after DVT tend to develop fewer symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome. However, ensure you consult with Laboratoire EVO health professionals for professional guidance and advice concerning the best pressure for your compression stockings.
- During Bed Rest
You are more likely to develop painful and life-threatening blood clots when on bed rest due to an injury, after surgery, or recovering from an illness. When on bed rest, you reduce physical activities, and as such, the circulation of blood to the legs is minimal. Hence, the blood in your legs tends to stay around without flowing for long, thus increasing the chances of getting blood clots.
However, when you put on compression stockings, they help increase blood circulation in the legs, thus reducing the risk of forming blood clots due to inactivity.
- During pregnancy
A pregnant mother tends to produce more body fluid to meet the needs of the unborn baby. As a result, the body tends to swell mainly on the legs. The compression stockings help massage the legs by squeezing gently at an appropriate pressure, thus reducing the swelling on the legs. Also, by rubbing the legs, the compression stockings help ease the discomfort the swelling causes.
Additionally, as the baby grows in the uterus, it puts more pressure on the veins, which may cause the pooling of blood. Blood pooling increases the risk of developing blood clots. However, when you wear compression socks, they exert some pressure, improving blood circulation, thus preventing blood stasis.
- Varicose Veins
Varicose veins may occur on any part of the body and appear as blue or purple swollen, enlarged, and twisted veins. However, varicose veins mainly affect the legs and the feet. Varicose veins are common during pregnancy due to the growing uterus exerting pressure on the vena cava vein from the legs to the heart. The varicose veins cause itchiness and discomfort.
However, when you wear compression stockings, they improve blood circulation in the legs, thus helping eliminate the pain, the swelling, and the discomfort that varicose veins cause.
- Swelling Legs
When you sit down for long hours either in your office, at home, or when traveling, your legs may tend to swell due to inactivity, which causes blood pooling. Wearing compression stockings will help improve the circulation of blood in the legs.
The compression stockings exert more pressure at the ankle and exert less pressure going up the leg. Hence, by so doing, the compression stockings help push the blood up the leg reducing the pooling of blood and thus easing the swelling. Improving blood flow in the legs also helps reduce the risk of developing blood clots.
Conclusion
The use and applications of compression stockings are growing due to their benefits. However, each person is different, and each condition requires its assessment. Hence, you need to consult with an Orthotist health professional to assess your situation and recommend the correct compression stockings pressure to suit your health needs.