Compression Stockings, How Do They Work?
Compression stockings are a special type of stockings that, in recent years, have been gaining prominence as a treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. That is, they are often used to prevent or improve the typical varicose veins in the legs.
These are tights that are more taut and resistant than normal socks. They can be made of different types of materials, from silk to nylon or spandex. In addition, they are custom designed to suit each patient and their needs.
Compression stockings work by elastocompression. That is, they compress the legs to stimulate with that pressure that the blood returns from the feet to the heart. In this article we explain everything you need to know about them.
Venous insufficiency
Venous insufficiency is a disease that affects almost 25% of the population and which is also progressively increasing its incidence. It affects almost five times more women than men, and it also increases with age.
This pathology consists of the veins in the legs losing their ability to push blood from the feet to the heart. This occurs, among other things, because the valves that are present inside the veins and that prevent the blood from backing up, fail.
When this happens the blood tends to accumulate in the feet with all the problems that this entails. First, the legs tend to swell and fatigue accumulates in that area. It is even normal to feel cramps or tingling.
However, the most striking thing about this disease is the presence of varicose veins. They appear as purplish spots on the skin that are actually enlarged veins. The main cause of all this happening is sedentary lifestyle, since physical activity and movement of the muscles help the veins to push the blood.
For this reason, it is very typical to see it in older women who spend a lot of time sitting. Similarly, studies link venous insufficiency with tobacco or alcohol consumption, obesity, or certain medications.
How do compression stockings work?
Compression stockings have made the treatment of venous insufficiency more comfortable, discreet and effective. They help improve venous circulation by relieving the symptoms of varicose veins.
As the name suggests, compression stockings compress the legs. However, they do not do it equally on the entire leg, but they exert different pressure on each part.
The pressure is maximum in the area of the feet, and decreases as it approaches the thigh. Thus, what they favor is that the blood continues its way to the heart. In addition, they prevent the veins from continuing to dilate.
It may seem very uncomfortable, but today, scientific advances have made compression stockings easy to wear and aesthetic. In fact, they are not all the same, but they are custom designed for each patient, adjusting them according to their disease and its characteristics.
What types of compression stockings are there?
First of all, it should be noted that compression stockings are not all the same shape and size. Depending on the pathology to be treated, they can be sock or short stockings, long stockings or pantyhose.
Short compression stockings reach below the knee. Its main difference from socks is the fabric, since socks are usually thicker and more suitable for winter. Long stockings fit to mid-thigh, while tights are held at the waist.
Depending on the desired effect, compression stockings can also vary in the pressure they exert. Those that are of lower pressure, around 14 mmHg, are usually used in people who have predisposition or principles of the disease.
As venous insufficiency progresses and symptoms increase, compression stockings also increase in strength. The most important thing to remember is that they must be tailor-made to suit everyone’s needs.
A treatment for venous insufficiency
Compression stockings are sturdy stockings, which are designed to stimulate the return of blood from the feet to the heart. They are used in people who have venous insufficiency as one of the most effective treatments today.
