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Support from the ground up
Since your legs are farthest from your heart (not to mention below it), they're two of the most difficult places to maintain consistent blood flow. This can translate to tired, aching legs, varicose veins, or swollen ankles. Pregnancy, long periods of standing on your feet, weight gain, and genetics can all contribute to weakened leg veins. Compression hosiery can help ease the burden. Prescribed or recommended by your doctor, this type of hosiery is not to be confused with pantyhose advertised as "support hose." The stockings are tightest at the ankle and gradually less controlled as they rise up your leg, placing the greatest compression where it's needed most.
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What Exactly Is Compression Hosiery?
Welcome to the world of support hosiery. The idea probably alarms men and annoys women who can't believe that pantyhose could possibly be made more troublesome. To allay the anxieties of men and women of all ages, let's start out by stressing that compression hosiery is nothing like pantyhose -- it is best to consider them medical devices.
Support hosiery is a broad term that applies to hosiery that is used for purposes other than fashion. An important subset of support hosiery is compression hosiery. The distinction is important because only compression hosiery is designed to apply specific, measured amounts of pressure to your legs. Tightly-knit compression hosiery aids the body in working against gravity, weak valves, and other disorders that make it difficult to move blood from the ankles to the upper legs.
Compression hosiery provide "graduated" compression. Because blood that pools at the lowest point of the legs, the ankles, is the hardest to push back up the leg, compression is therefore greatest at the ankle, gradually lessening as the stocking goes up the leg. More compression is not always better -- in fact, it can aggravate your condition and put you at serious risk.
Who Might Use Compression Hosiery?
- Compression hosiery is not just for women, nor it is just for the elderly.
- Individuals suffering from varicose veins, thrombosis, swelling of the legs and other circulatory disorders may find compression hosiery useful in alleviating pain.
- Also, individuals who must work standing or sitting for long hours often find that compression hosiery greatly reduces the pain and swelling that can often result.
- Pregnant women can safely wear compression hosiery to reduce or prevent the onset of varicose or spider veins.
- There is no real consensus about whether compression hosiery is an effective treatment for all circulatory disorders. Do not be surprised if your doctors are not in agreement on this matter.
How to Choose Compression Hosiery
- You must be fitted for compression hosiery by your physician.
- Compression hosiery can be found at medical supply stores and on the internet. Ask your pharmacist if he or she can special-order compression hosiery for you.
- Compression hosiery is not cheap. It is considerably more expensive than general support hosiery.
- Compression hosiery comes in a number of different lengths, from knee high to full panty-hose length.
- The unit of measurement is mm Hg, which stands for units of pressure required to raise a column of Mercury. Compression hosiery is sold at compressions from 12 mm Hg to over 30 mm Hg. Note that European standards of measurements differ slightly.
- Compression hosiery can be bought in singles or pairs.
- Always comparison shop and buy in small quantities.
- Not all brands carry a wide range of colors to accommodate all skin tones. Don't feel that you should be stuck with a color that doesn't suit you -- comparison shop and contact manufacturers.
- Your insurance company or employer may cover the costs of your compression hosiery. Contact your provider and see if its allowances fit your needs.
- Compression hosiery comes in a variety of sizes. It is important to be absolutely honest with yourself when trying to determine the right size according to height and weight. Your health is more important than your pride.
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Why Use Compression Hosiery?
- Compression hosiery is used to counteract gravity and aid the body in pushing blood from the lower extremities of the legs upwards.
- Blood circulation is increased when wearing compression hosiery.
- The use of compression hosiery can prevent dangerous blood clots.
- Compression hosiery can prevent or reduce the appearance of spider or varicose veins in pregnant women as well as reduce painful swelling that often accompanies pregnancy.
- Individuals who must stand or sit for long periods of time can find some relief from swelling and pain by using compression hosiery.
How Does Compression Hosiery Work?
- Compression hosiery is tightly knit to produce measurable amounts of pressure on the legs.
- Because blood must be encouraged to move upwards from the feet and ankles, compression hosiery is graduated, meaning that the pressure is the greatest at the ankle and lessens as it moves up the leg.
- Unlike general support hosiery, compression hosiery is used to treat circulatory problems and relieve pain and swelling. It is not used to "refresh" or "revitalize" the legs.
How to Put on Compression Hosiery
- Always put your compression hosiery on first thing in the morning. Because your legs have been elevated for hours, swelling will be the least after sleeping.
- Keep your hosiery by your bedside. Simply getting up to grab it or even swinging your legs over the bed can cause blood to pool up in your legs, making the compression hosiery more difficult to put on and less effective.
- If you must get up before putting on your compression hosiery, return to bed and elevate your legs. Wait in this position for about 20 minutes before putting on your compression hosiery.
- If your limbs are swelling below the stocking -- for example, if your toes are swollen and you are wearing a toeless compression stocking -- remove the stocking and try again after elevating the leg for about 20 minutes.
- Put on the hosiery as straight and smoothly as possible. Twists and folds can cause buckles in the fabric that act like tourniquets, and instead of promoting circulation you will be cutting it off completely.
- Expect to have to adjust and pull up your compression hosiery throughout the day.
- Keep an eye out for buckles or folds. The material should not cut into your legs.
- To minimize discomfort at the part of the leg where the hosiery ends, fold the stocking over so you have a band of folded stocking at least two inches wide.
- If you find that the fabric irritates your skin, switch to a milder detergent (or even a shampoo that doesn't irritate your skin) or wear the stocking inside out.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the longest and most comfortable wear of your compression hosiery.
Lifestyle Tips That Can Reduce Swelling
- Avoid high-salt diets.
- Get adequate exercise but avoid high-impact exercise, such as jogging, as aggravation may result.
- Keep your weight down. Excess weight increases the pressure your legs must bear.
- Avoid excessive heat. Hot water and sun expand your blood vessels.
- Try not to wear high-heeled shoes.
- Get adequate amounts of vitamins C and E. These are essential in promoting proper leg circulation.
- If you must sit or stand for long periods of time, vary your position as much as possible.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Get enough fiber in your diet. Straining while trying to pass a stool can aggravate circulation problems.
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Make Sure Compression Hosiery Fits
- Always consult a doctor before using compression hosiery.
- Make sure your compression hosiery is comfortable. If it is cutting into your legs or cutting off your circulation, discontinue wearing it and consult your doctor.
- Only health professionals are able to properly fit you for compression hosiery. Do not attempt to choose on your own -- this could result in serious health risks.
There Are Some Health Risks
- Sleeping in compression hosiery is not recommended. You may not be able to feel it if your hosiery twists and cuts off your circulation.
- Do not assume that more compression is better -- the wrong amount of compression for your condition can result in serious health risks. Always consult your doctor.
- Do not take the principle of compression hosiery and try to duplicate it by wrapping ace bandages around your legs. This is dangerous and it doesn't work.
- Once in a while, try going without your compression hosiery. The jury is still out on the actual benefits, particularly when used during recovery of surgery, so if you find you are healing just as well or even better without them, consider discontinuing use after consulting with your doctor.
Take Care of Compression Hosiery
- Follow the manufacturer's directions when caring for your compression hosiery.
- Compression hosiery is not meant to last forever. Washing them improperly can cause premature running and/or color change.
- Take good care of the skin on your legs. Moisturize, clean, and dry them thoroughly.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. American Medical Association.The American Medical Association: Guide to your family's symptoms. Washington, D.C.: American Pharmaceutical Association 1992.
- 2. Fauci, Anthony S. et al. Eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. New York: MacGraw Hill 1998.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
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