What Are Compression Stockings And How Are They Used?

Compression stockings (also known as medical stockings) are used to treat problems with blood and fluid circulation in the leg.  Compression treatment is simple, relatively painless, and helps to decrease or eliminate the need for drug or surgical treatment of sluggish circulation.

Circulation problems are frequently a symptom of a larger disease or disorder rather than a disorder in and of itself (i.e. diabetes.)  When poor circulation is an issue, the extremities such as the feet and hands suffer the most damage, particularly the feet.  The reason is that these parts of the body are the furthest from the heart.  The circulatory system must work very hard to get oxygenated blood all the way from the heart to the feet, and then return that blood back to the heart for re-oxidization.  It is particularly difficult for blood from the feet to return to the heart via the veins, since blood going in this direction has the added disadvantage of fighting against the pull of gravity.

At the same time, fluid may build up in the lymphatic vessels of the legs and feet.  Fluid is pulled downward through the force of gravity, and then collects and pools there.  This condition is known as edema or lymphedema.  Lymphedema puts the sufferer at a high risk for developing infections in the affected limb/extremity.  In rarer circumstances, lymphedema can lead to skin ulcers, limb deformity and even cancer.

Fortunately, both blood and lymph circulation problems are easily treated through the use of medical compression stockings.  In fact, when these conditions are detected in their early stages, the use of medical stockings may be the only course of treatment that is necessary to reverse the problem.

Compression stockings are sometimes referred to as “graduated compression stockings.”  This is because they are constructed in such a manner that the amount of compression is greatest at the ankle.  The degree of compression gradually decreases from the ankle upwards to just below the knee.

Graduated compression accomplishes two things.  First, it helps stave off the pooling effect to begin with.  Second, it helps move blood and fluids upwards from the ankle and back to the heart.  Combined with the force of pumping action in the calves, it essentially works like a machine against the force of gravity.

Medical compression stockings are sold in various levels of compression.  These levels are measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury.)  They may be purchased in styles that range from 10-15 mmHg up to 50 plus mmHg.  Only 10-15 and 15-20 mmHg stockings may be purchased over the counter.  Higher pressure styles can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.  Using medical stockings that apply too much pressure can cause damage to the limbs.  Therefore, it’s critical to be examined by a doctor who can determine the correct amount of pressure that is needed.

Many people think of compression stockings as unattractive and overly feminine.  While old fashioned varieties may have fit that description, today’s technology has improved their aesthetic appearance dramatically.  Medical stockings can be purchased in a range of colors, opacities and styles, rendering them very hard to tell from ordinary socks/stockings.  This makes treatment much easier for the wearer.

Cure For Alleviate Edema, Including Lymphedema

By edema excessive fluid gather in body parts or greater areas of the body, making the areas swollen. Edema is most often a problem in the legs, but can occur anywhere in the body.

There are several types of edema, and many cases are also a mixture of more than one type. By lymphedema the drainage from the tissues through the lymph vessels are impaired or excessive fluid goes through the blood capillary walls into the spaces between the cells in a tissue. Edema can also occur because of poor drainage of blood through the veins towards the heart. Edema can further be caused by general accumulation of excessive fluid in the body.

The causes of edema are many. Edema is a symptom by most inflammations. Insufficient heart action by congestive heart failure can cause edema. A too high intake of salt can cause general water retention in the body. Sitting and standing long in the same position can cause edema in the lower limbs. A still sitting life without exercise can cause or aggravate edema.

Insufficiencies of the liver or kidneys can cause fluid retention and thereby edema. Edema can be a side effect of antihypertensive drugs, steroids surgery and radiation therapy. Further causes of different types of edema are varicose veins, cancer, hypothyroidism, blood clots, constipation and physical injuries.

To treat edema, it is important to treat the underlying disease or injury. However, medical treatment does not always cure the underlying condition or the cause is wholly or partially lifestyle aspects. Therefore various measures targeted directly against the edema are useful. These are presented here:

Pharmacological treatments: The physician will sometimes prescribe diuretics to reduce fluid retention in the body and thereby reduce edema. This treatment should however be used for serious edema or edema persistent when other measures do not work.

Salt intake restriction: Restriction of salt intake is an important measure by edema. People suffering from edema should avoid adding great amount of salt into their food or consume preprocessed food with a salty taste.

Diet: A good general diet that alleviates chronic inflammation is useful. The diet should especially contain enough sources of omega-3-fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, like: Fat fish, seafood, flax oil, olive oil, almonds, rape oil and canola oil. Also vegetables and fruit in a natural shape are useful.

Avoiding constipation: Constipation should be treated, since a stomach engorged by excessive content can cause impairment of fluid circulation.

Variation of corporeal position: You should avoid sitting or standing still a long time during the day. When sitting during work or rest, you should change position with regular intervals.

Exercise: Every day you should have some exercise adjusted to your health condition. This could be walking, cycling, swimming, running or any other sport activity where you use greater parts of your body. Doing regular stretching exercises or yoga is useful. By severe edema special therapeutic exercises should be prescribed by a professional.

High position of limb: When you are sleeping or resting the swollen body parts can be placed in an elevated position by means of pillows, pads or by resting in an adjustable bed or chair.

Massage: By minor edema yourself, your spouse or a friend can massage the affected body part to alleviate the edema. The massage should be done in the direction of natural flow of blood and lymph that is towards the heart. You should however avoid massaging distinctly injured or distinctly inflamed body parts. By severe edema a professional massager should be engaged to perform the massage type called “manual lymphatic drainage”.

Elastic bandaging: You can use elastic gloves, stockings, tapes or bandages around the swollen body parts during the day or during physical activities after instruction from a professional person.

Inflatable garments: There are inflatable garments to be found that can be used around the engorged body parts some times of the day. Also these should be used after professional instruction.

Sequential gradient pump therapy: One can get special electric pumps connected to inflatable garments. The pump inflates and deflates the garments repeatedly. Each garment has several rooms that are inflated sequentially in the direction of the natural fluid stream towards the heart. In this way the fluid is dynamically pumped the right way out of the engorged body part. This type of therapy is used in professional settings or at home after instruction from a professional.

Skin care: The skin on a body part affected by severe edema should attain special care to avoid and treat sores. Proper cleaning, daily use of moisturing creams, proper rinsing of skin injuries, antiseptic creams by injuries.

Complete decongestive therapy: This is a complete set of edema treatment techniques done by a professional person combined with self-care instructed by the professional. The techniques used are: Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise and skin care.

Herbal and natural products: Many herbs and products composed of a blending of these herbs are used against edema. Such herbs are: Dandelion, Gingko biloba, horse chestnut, buchu, goldenrod, corn silk, horsetail, juniper, butchers broom, cleaver and ginger. Some people have experienced a good effect from using apple cider vinegar.

The flavonide rich product pycnognenol extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine has shown promising effects against edema according to scientific studies. The flavonides hydroxyethylrutosides also seem to have good effect against edema. Other natural substances that may help to treat edema are the flavonids diosmin and hesperidin and vitamin C.

Oil pulling: The procedure called “oil pulling” may help for edema. It consists of rinsing the mouth with one tablespoon of natural oil for 15-20 minutes and then spitting the oil out. It is done in the morning before eating. Sesame or sunflower oils are usually recommended for this use.

The Importance of Lymphedema Compression Garments

Lymphedema is not a common word within the public nor is it a disease most will recognize. It is, however, one that can easily effect any individual. Prevalent in those recovering from surgery or even simple injury, it can quickly become a dangerous problem: skin will swell beyond the limits of its own elasticity and infections can occur, ones that may not be able to be treated later on. And, while the majority may be unaware of this disease, those who are at risk for it must realize what is to be done.

The Lymphedema compression garments must be applied.

What are these? To put it simply, compression garments are tailored for the individual and their infected area. Legs, hands or arms will be measured; then, tight fabric will be carefully placed against them. It will press firmly across the swelling, keeping further liquid from accumulating. And, while these do not force the liquid out, they do still prove vital.

Of course, compression garments will only work if the proper steps are taken with them. You must first have them crafted by a professional. Do not think that buying bandages or similar products will create the same effect. These must be made for you. Otherwise, the treatment process cannot begin.

Secondly, you will have to keep them in top shape. This means changing them every twelve hours, washing them after each use and eventually having them replaced as they lose their fit. Please note that this can also happen as the swelling is reduced. Even if you are careful with your garments, they may still need to be changed if they no longer cling to the infection.

Remember, though: the ultimate treatment is to consult with your doctor the moment you suspect you may have this disease. Waiting is not an option and, while the compression garments and other methods have been proven themselves to work, they are no substitutes for early prevention. Keep your doctor informed of any signs, symptoms or worries. Do not simply assume that swelling will disappear on its own. Take precautions and keep yourself safe. This cannot be stressed enough.

With a combination of spotting the problem as it occurs and applying the garments, there is a high chance for success; and, most importantly, for recovery. You just have to keep yourself informed and refuse to rely on assumptions.

Lymphedema may not be well-known but it is still dangerous. This is important to remember.