Varicose veins are a vein issue affecting a significant portion of people due to poor blood circulation in veins. When the person is affected by varicose veins, the blood gets collected in valves rather than flowing back to the heart. Varicose veins are often seen in the legs and feet. The medical condition usually causes frustrating symptoms like pain, swelling, and heaviness in the legs. Doctors recommend that patients use compression stockings to improve the blood flow in the vein. Are these compression stockings a permanent solution to varicose veins? Let us know more about compression stockings and the role played by them in managing varicose veins.
The interlink between varicose veins and poor blood circulation
Before understanding the role of compression stockings in healing varicose veins, let’s decode the interlinking between poor blood circulation and varicose veins. The medical condition develops in patients when the veins fail against gravity and doesn’t transport blood back to the heart. The weakened valves will have a negative impact on blood circulation and cause excessive strain on valves, leading to varicose veins. The blood in the affected area becomes stagnant and increases pressure on healthy veins, leading to varicose veins. Poor blood circulation in veins blocks efficient nutrient and oxygen transmission to different parts of the body, leading to many varicose veins symptoms like swelling in feet and legs. You may also see the veins under the skin turning purple and red. Lack of proper blood circulation is the prime cause of varicose veins, and you should suspect the disease when you experience persistent pain on standing, restless leg syndrome, swelling, and heaviness in your legs.
How will compression stockings help?
When you visit the doctor with the symptoms of varicose veins, they will suggest the right treatment options for varicose veins depending on their severity. These treatments may range from non-invasive CLaCS therapy to surgical procedures. Irrespective of the treatment options advised by the doctors for varicose veins, they recommend wearing compression stockings to enhance the blood circulation in the veins during the invasive treatments as well as post-treatment procedures. Compression stockings are not a permanent cure but are a part of the treatment plan to bring positive outcomes from the treatment procedures and also manage the symptoms of varicose veins effectively.
Compression stockings may be difficult to wear during the initial days, as doctors may recommend wearing them throughout the day to improve blood flow in veins. You may earn comfort with compression stockings over some time. These varicose vein socks help to push the blood back towards the heart by exerting more pressure near the ankle. The extra squeeze pushes the blood pooled in veins and reduces the symptoms like pain and bulging. These are the most recommended solutions to manage varicose veins. These stockings are known to improve the blood circulation in affected veins but cannot eliminate the disease.
Role of compression stockings in managing varicose vein pain
The medical-grade garments are unique remedies for varicose veins and can help significantly improve the symptoms of varicose veins. Here is how compression stockings will address varicose vein pain.
Boosts blood circulation
Compression stockings improve blood circulation in veins by applying graduated pressure on the legs in a gentle way. These compression stockings tend to be tight at the ankle level and become loose as they reach the top. The gradual pressure applied by stockings helps in improving the blood flow more towards the heart and reduces the pooling of blood in veins, which in turn helps in reducing various varicose veins symptoms like pain, swelling, and bulging of the veins. You can stay more comfortable and active in a day by wearing compression stockings as advised by the doctor.
Prevents the progression of the disease
Varicose vein disease progresses to later stages when it lacks proper treatment and care. While the right treatment approach on expert advice is always recommended to treat the underlying cause of varicose vein disease, compression stockings will help you prevent the progression of the disease. Consider wearing varicose vein socks every day if you are diagnosed with varicose veins. They offer enough support to vein valves, reduce the pooling of blood in veins, and prevent the progression of the disease. Compression stockings are highly recommended for people who are at risk of developing vein problems.
Improves quality of life
Apart from the physical symptoms of varicose veins, cosmetic issues are also a major concern among varicose vein patients. While varicose vein treatments like CLaCS can effectively reduce the appearance of varicose veins, wearing compression stockings under the garments during the treatment procedures can hide your bulged veins under the medical garments and keep you away from the emotional discomfort at parties. On the whole, compression stockings can help in slowing the progression of the disease and managing the symptoms effectively but cannot help in repairing the damaged valves. However, they are part of an effective treatment plan for varicose vein management, irrespective of the type of treatment suggested by the experts. Many people use these compression stockings as a home remedy to manage symptoms of varicose veins, but they cannot rule out the problem completely.
How to choose the right compression stockings?
Compression stockings are designed to manage the symptoms of varicose veins, yet they have to be chosen carefully based on your requirements to make the most of them. There are many types of stockings available in the market with different compression levels, and here is a guide to help you make the right choice.
Graduated stockings
The graduated compression stockings are known for applying gentle graduated pressure from the ankle level as they move up the leg. The pressure applied helps in pushing the pooled blood towards the heart. These are the recommended stockings for varicose veins and are available in different lengths, like knee length, thigh length, or full pantyhose. You can choose one based on the area affected by varicose veins on your legs. Don’t rely on low-cost stockings that are available in the market because they are not designed to provide the desired compression levels to manage the symptoms of varicose veins.
Anti-embolism stockings
You can choose these anti-embolism stockings if you are recovering from surgery. They provide low compression and keep the blood moving in your veins to prevent the formation of blood clots. You can choose these types of stockings when you are suffering from mild varicose veins. The pressure applied by these socks is less when compared to graduated stockings.
Non-medical support hosiery
Non-medical compression stockings can be your option when you want to wear them as a preventive measure for varicose veins. They can be obtained at stores without any prescription but cannot provide adequate compression in severe cases.
Custom-made compression stockings
In rare cases, the readily available varicose veins stockings cannot provide adequate compression to the legs of the patients, especially when they are obese. In such cases, custom-made compression stockings designed with their specific measurements will ensure proper fit and desired compression levels to manage the symptoms of varicose veins.
While choosing compression stockings to manage the symptoms of varicose veins, you should speak to varicose vein specialists and discuss your underlying medical condition and choose the most suitable option for you.
How to use compression stockings?
Wear compression stockings during the day
Varicose vein socks apply gentle pressure on the legs and squeeze them to foster blood flow from the legs to the heart. Wearing them every day in the morning before the legs are swollen ensures there is less pain in the legs as blood keeps moving due to the compression levels applied. You will stay active during the day due to a lack of heaviness in your legs.
Get the right fit
Choose compression stockings with the right fit to ensure the right compression levels are applied on your legs for good blood circulation and effective results in managing varicose vein symptoms.
Consistent routine
When you are suffering from varicose veins, it is very important to discuss with the consultants about the duration of wearing varicose vein socks. You have to be consistent in wearing compression stockings to see optimal results.
Replace them periodically
Compression stockings are medical-grade garments that tend to lose elasticity when worn over time. Consider replacing them periodically.
Modern treatments for varicose veins
Compression stockings can be quite effective in managing the symptoms of varicose veins but cannot be a complete cure to the problem; you may need additional varicose veins treatments to cure the underlying condition.
CLaCS (Cryo Laser Cryo Sclerotherapy)
It is the most advanced and minimally invasive procedure to treat damaged veins. CLaCS can offer precise treatment to the damaged vein without affecting the surrounding tissue and help the blood flow through healthy veins.
- Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure advised for patients suffering from mild varicose veins. The procedure aims at sticking the damaged veins together and closing them to drive free blood flow through healthy veins.
- Endovenous Laser treatments
Endovenous Laser treatments are a big revolution in varicose vein treatments. The procedure can effectively handle moderate to severe cases of varicose veins. The treatment process uses laser energy or heat through radio frequency to collapse the affected veins, which get absorbed into the body over time. The blood will now flow through only healthy veins.
Conclusion
Compression stockings are medical garments that work effectively in managing varicose vein symptoms, but they cannot rule out the problem completely. Though they help improve blood circulation in veins and reduce various associated symptoms of varicose veins, they don’t address the cause. Right, varicose vein treatments like sclerotherapy and laser therapies will help you enjoy long-term results.
Avis Hospitals, acts as a vein care organisation known for invasive treatments, even for chronic cases of varicose veins. Discuss your vein problems with our experts to get the right treatment for long-lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are compression stockings a cure for varicose veins?
No, compression stockings are a part of a comprehensive varicose vein treatment plan, as they help in managing the symptoms effectively but cannot cure the disease, as they don’t address the underlying cause.
How long should I wear varicose vein socks every day?
Consistency is very important to see optimal results when you wear compression stockings. Doctors recommend using them throughout the day to support healthy blood flow in veins during your active phase of the day.
Can everyone wear compression stockings?
Compression stockings are usually safe, but a few may experience skin rashes and irritation when they don’t choose the right fit.
Are there any risks in wearing compression stockings?
They are usually recommended for patients who suffer from varicose veins. Still, if you are suffering from diseases like peripheral artery disease (PAD) or severe diabetes, you should consult a medical professional before wearing them.
When should I replace compression stockings?
The garment tends to lose elasticity over time. It is recommended to replace them every six months for optimal compression of your legs.