Those who are fortunate enough not to encounter varicose veins believe that this disease is the lot of old women and pregnant women. However, this, unfortunately, is not so: the disease is becoming younger and affects not only the beautiful half of humanity, but also men. Who should pay close attention to their legs, and who needs compression stockings for men and women - about this in the material below.
What is varicose veins?
Varicose veins or varicose veins is a vascular disease that causes dysfunction of blood flow through the veins and can lead to serious consequences.
Varicose veins can develop in various parts of the body, but the legs are most often affected by the disease. This is explained by physiological processes: it is in the lower extremities that the circulation circle "unfolds" and the blood flow goes up. If the veins have structural defects due to a genetic predisposition or provoking factors, the process of outflow of blood is difficult. The valves that are on the veins to prevent the reverse movement of this fluid are stretched, and the vessels themselves are deformed, blood clots can form on them.
The disease causes not only aesthetic discomfort in the form of blue veins on the legs, but also significant pain. Legs with varicose veins swell and hurt.
First symptoms: when to be vigilant?
If you saw bluish “paths” or lumpy veins on your feet, it means that varicose veins have already developed and compression stockings for men or women will not solve the problem.
To be vigilant and consult a doctor should be when the disease is not yet visible to the eye, but gives the first, barely noticeable signs. With careful attention to their health, they are easy to notice:
- swelling of the legs, worse in the evening;
- soreness and swelling of the legs, pronounced in the hot season;
- feeling of “buzzing” legs after a working day;
- discomfort from changing shoes, especially after wearing high-heeled shoes;
- a more vivid manifestation of the venous pattern on the legs in the evening, while after resting the veins “hide”.
All these signs may indicate the initial stage of varicose veins. An immediate trip to the doctor can save you from a lot of problems in the future, because this disease will not go away on its own, but will only progress, especially if you are at risk.
Who is at risk?
Modern medicine unequivocally claims that people with a hereditary predisposition to the disease are most susceptible to the development of varicose veins. In this case, the gender and degree of relationship of the sick are not important: the thickness of the walls of the vessels and their elasticity play a role in the development of varicose veins. Therefore, it doesn’t matter at all whether the father or mother was ill.
Provoking factors can indirectly affect the progress of the disease. Among them, hard work with increased load on the legs, an unhealthy lifestyle, and the lack of a sufficient amount of physical activity.
Is it possible to cure varicose veins?
The disease is difficult to treat, and the neglected form can be cured only by surgery.
The sooner the patient goes to the doctor, the more effective and conservative the treatment will be.
The treatment of this disease is carried out by a narrow specialist - a phlebologist or a vascular surgeon. After examining the veins and the general condition of the patient, the specialist will prescribe a course of taking drugs to maintain vascular tone, relieve inflammatory processes, if necessary, and external means to alleviate the pain syndrome.
As a rule, during the treatment, as well as for the subsequent daily life, the doctor selects compression underwear. The most popular form of it among those suffering from varicose veins is compression stockings for men and women.
What are the compression stockings?
Compression underwear exerts precisely calculated pressure on the legs: the strongest pressure in the area of the foot, the level of compression decreases as you ascend the foot. This helps to avoid stagnation of blood and fluid in the limbs, improving the upward outflow of blood.
Compression underwear is sold only in specialized medical stores or pharmacies. Its density is measured in millimeters of mercury. If you are offered stockings or tights, the density of which is indicated in DEN, this is a cosmetic option that does not have a therapeutic effect. Often the use of only one product: a compression stocking on one leg for men is easy to find on sale. This product is comfortable to wear and is fixed for reliability at the waist.
Depending on the degree of pressure, three types of compression stockings are divided:
- 1 level of compression. Suitable for the prevention and mild varicose veins.
- 2 level of compression. It is prescribed in the presence of a large number of dilated veins and nodes, sore legs, cramps and swelling.
- 3 level of compression. Such products are sold only by prescription. They are prescribed for deep vein thrombosis, severe thrombophlebitis and trophic ulcers.
Compression stockings for men and women of the right level of pressure and size are selected by the doctor based on the examination and treatment goals.
Who should use compression underwear?
Men and women who are at risk should definitely buy compression underwear. Modern technologies make it practical, comfortable and invisible under clothes.
Compression stockings for men of compression class 1 can be worn daily, regardless of type of activity. Having picked up the necessary color, they can be worn even under a business suit. And the effect will not take long - such stockings will relieve the feeling of fatigue in the legs and unpleasant swelling at the end of the working day.
Compression stockings for men of the 2nd compression class are needed for representatives of such professions as a driver, seller, courier, hairdresser and others, in which you need to stand or sit for many hours in a row. But before purchasing such a product, it is better to consult a specialist: even if you are sure that you need compression stockings, you may be mistaken in the degree of pressure or the timing of wearing compression underwear.
Why choose stockings?
There are a number of advantages by which compression stockings should be chosen from the whole variety of medical underwear.
Compression class 1 for men and women has a preventive and venotonic effect. It is acceptable to wear such products daily, for a long period of time. Tights are not always appropriate and comfortable, especially for the stronger sex. And stockings for men can look like ordinary elongated socks. That allows you to comfortably include compression stockings in your everyday wardrobe.
Compression class 2 for men is most often used in case of development of varicose veins of the lower extremities. In this case, they are also very convenient: they have a concentrated dosed effect in the most problematic places, without attracting too much attention of others.
Compression Linen Care
In order to comply with hygiene standards, wash stockings daily. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase several pairs.
It is necessary to wash products manually using powder for delicate things and cool water. It is not worth twisting stockings, it is enough to let the excess water drain, gently beating it off with your palm.
It is not recommended to dry compression stockings in dryers, as well as on batteries or fireplaces.
Proper care of compression stockings will allow you to wear them for a long time and with pleasure. And your feet will "appreciate" this medical innovation and will please you with a healthy look, vigor and energy.