If your doctor has recommended that you begin wearing compression socks, it’s important that you understand how to put them on and care for them properly. Here are some important Dos and Don’ts to remember when wearing compression stockings:

Compression Stocking Dos

DO carefully measure your legs before you buy compression stockings. Like most brands, Medi compression products are carefully sized. If you buy the wrong size, you will not get the medical benefits of wearing compression socks and they won’t be as comfortable on your legs.

DO wash compression stockings daily. As most doctors recommend wearing compression socks every day for maximum benefit, you will need to wash them every day, as well. This is important not only for your own hygiene, but also for the life of your stockings. As you wear your stockings throughout the day, they stretch to fit your legs. Washing helps return them to their original shape, extending their usability over time.

DO launder your stockings carefully. Check the care instructions for each pair of compression socks you own; some are washable in your machine’s gentle setting. If so, place your stockings in a mesh laundry bag to help protect them. To wash compression stockings use cold water and a bit of gentle soap. If you can, use a specially formulated washing solution for your compression socks – this will clean the elastic without causing damage. To dry, roll up your socks in a towel and pat out all the excess water, then hang them up.

DO use donning gloves to put on your compression stockings. Donning gloves dramatically reduce the chance that you will snag your stockings on a fingernail. In addition to offering protection, donning gloves provide grip and make it much easier to put on your compression hosiery.

DO put compression stockings on first thing in the morning. The conditions that compression stockings help to alleviate are generally related to one’s everyday activities, so it makes sense to wear them all day if you want to see the most medical benefits. Also, your legs and feet are general y less swollen in the morning. So putting on your compression stockings in the morning are a bit easier than if you did it later in the day.

DO replace every 3-6 months. Eventually, the elastic fibers will break down. This is normal, especially with daily use. You will probably need to replace your compression stockings every three to six months. How can you tell when it’s time for a new pair? One indication is that your Medi compression stockings start to sag, or they are becoming really easy to put on.

Compression Stocking Don’ts

DON’T roll up your compression stockings to put them on or take them off. Rolling creates a tight band, which cuts off circulation and can cause sores. While donning or removing your compression socks try not to roll or scrunch them up.

DON’T wear them at night. Unless your doctor specifically prescribes it, it’s best to avoid wearing compression stockings at night.

DON’T use chlorine bleach to clean your stockings. Avoid using any substance that could damage your compression socks. Harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach should be avoided.

DON’T wring out compression socks to dry them. Any intense movements, such as wringing or scrubbing, can damage your stockings. Treat them gently to get the most out of them.

DON’T cut them off at the foot. The foot of compression hosiery acts as an anchor; it provides a solid hold, making it easier to put on the stockings. Furthermore, compression stockings have graduated compression, meaning the compression is strongest at the ankle and gets lighter as it goes up the calf. Cutting off the foot could cause them to roll up and become uncomfortable to wear. If your stockings seem too tight around the toes, you may want to consider a product such as Medi compression open-toe stockings.

DON’T wear lotions or oils. Oily substances can break down the elastic fibers. Try moisturizing your legs in the evening, after you’ve removed your compression stockings for the day.

Varicose veins form when the valves in the veins of your legs are no longer able to prevent blood from flowing backwards. Consequently, the improper blood flow causes the vein to enlarge, particularly when you stand, sit for long periods of time, wear heels or place a lot of pressure on the affected leg. You can help prevent varicose veins from forming by taking the following preventative measures:

Wear compression socks for varicose veins. Compression socks help prevent varicose veins by encouraging the proper circulation of blood in your legs. Wearing compression stockings for varicose veins can prevent future occurrences and help relieve currently problematic veins.

Exercise. Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to promote the proper flow of blood in your legs. By wearing Sigvaris compression sports socks while exercising, you will experience less muscle fatigue and soreness. Moreover, exercising can help you maintain or reach a healthy weight, which also helps prevent varicose veins.

Elevate your legs. By nature, your heart has to fight gravity to pump blood from your legs back up to your chest. Elevating your legs to heart level can help your blood circulate with greater ease.

Avoid standing or sitting for long periods. Standing puts a lot of pressure on the veins in your legs, and sitting for a long period of time reduces circulation. Wearing compression stockings for varicose veins can help reduce the negative effects of both activities, which will particularly benefit you if you need to travel or if must stand or sit a lot for your job.

The good news about varicose vein prevention is that compression socks for varicose veins are available for men and women. And best of all, today’s compression stockings can be fashionable as well as effective. Consider wearing compression socks daily to maximize your leg health.

While there is no known cure for RLS at this time, there are things you can do to help control the symptoms, including wearing compression socks.

RLS Symptoms

Symptoms of restless leg syndrome include:

•    Unpleasant sensations in the legs that only improve with movement. The sensations occur more after sitting for a long time or at night while lying down.
•    Unpleasant sensations in the legs that last up to an hour or more.
•    Irresistible urges to move your legs or walk.
•    Rhythmic leg movements while sleeping.
•    Symptoms are made worse when upset or stressed out.

Managing RLS

•    Buy compression stockings. Wear Medi compression stockings during the day to prevent unpleasant sensations as you sit or travel.
•    Take warm baths often.
•    Regularly perform gentle stretching exercises while wearing compression socks, in addition to moderate aerobic exercises.
•    Massage your legs to help reduce stress and relax your leg muscles, especially before bed.
•    Avoid tobacco use and alcohol consumption.
•    Establish a regular sleeping pattern and practice good sleep hygiene.

Several RLS patients have reported finding relief with compression socks. Before you buy compression stockings, have a your physician or a healthcare professional advise you on the appropriate level of compression and style (knee high, thigh high, or pantyhose).

What is a DVT?

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that usually forms in the deep veins of the lower leg or calf which can block the flow of blood. Generally a DVT is caused by a combination of two or more underlying conditions including (1) slow or sluggish blood flow through a major vein; (2) a tendency for a person’s blood to clot quickly, (sometimes inherited) and (3) irritation or inflammation of the lining surface of the vein.

What increases your risk of a DVT?

Some of the risk factors include:
- Prolonged sitting or restricted mobility, such as long-distance travel
- Prolonged bed rest or immobility
- Surgery (especially orthopedic) or major injury which results in being in a cast
- Excessive weight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Age over 40
- Recent development of Varicose Veins
- High Estrogen states, such as pregnancy or when using birth control pills
- Certain cancers
- Some blood factors such as Factor V Leiden

What are the warning signs of a DVT?

A DVT may cause leg pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth and/or redness – but can also be present with no symptoms.

What are the complications of a DVT?

There are two. About one-third of patients with DVT, develop a long-term complication known as Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS). This condition can show up as chronic pain, swelling, discoloration of the leg, as well as the development of an open ulcer. The likelihood of another clot forming is high once you have had an initial DVT.

Another complication is known as a Pulmonary Embolism (PE) which is when the clot breaks loose and travels through the vessel to the arteries located in the lungs. A PE is a potentially fatal condition if it significantly blocks blood flow through the lungs.

Approximately 2 million patients suffer from a DVT and approximately 600,000 will be hospitalized each year. Some people have a DVT, but it is asymptomatic. Unfortunately, 200-300,000 people die each year due to this complication.

Are DVT’s common among young people?

Surprisingly so! Many people think of blood clots as a problem occurring in elderly people, but not in young and apparently healthy individuals. A DVT can happen to anyone regardless of age.

A pregnant woman, for example, is 5-6 times more likely to develop a DVT than a non-pregnant woman. This risk is enhanced due to changes in hormones and an increase in blood volume. Unfortunately, 50% of post-delivery maternal deaths are caused by Pulmonary Embolisms (PE).

Another high risk environment for younger people involves athletes. Athletes are at a greater risk for the development of a clot due to dehydration and a possible lower resting heart rate which results in slower blood flow throughout the body. Did you know that 85% of air travel thrombosis victims are athletic, usually endurance athletes?[1]

Of all air traveler, 3-5% of them will develop blood clots. Within the age group 20-44, air travel thrombosis is the number one cause of death. Doesn’t that surprise you?

And, recently an “extreme gamer” died of a pulmonary embolism after playing video games for up to 12 hours a day. He was 20 years old![2]

What can be done to reduce the risk of a DVT?

In most cases, Deep Vein Thrombosis is a preventable disease. People undergoing surgery and in the hospital for an extended period of time may be at risk for developing blood clots. Your health care provider will guide you on the best ways to minimize your risk of developing DVT in these situations.

If you are not hospitalized, you can still develop blood clots. Smoking cessation, weight loss and exercise can decrease your risk of developing a blood clot. When you travel for a long period of time (over 4 hours) you are at an increased risk which can be minimized by getting up and walking or doing foot flexes every 30 minutes. Wearing a low level (15-20 or 20-30 mmHg) of graduated compression will also decrease your risk of developing a clot and certainly eliminate the swelling associated with long distance travel.

Once I have a DVT what can I do about it?

There are several common treatment options considered once DVT is diagnosed. In general, blood clots in larger veins, especially behind the knee, in the thigh and pelvis are normally treated with drugs commonly referred to as blood thinners (usually an injectable low molecular weight heparin which is injected below the surface of the skin of the abdominal wall), whereas smaller clots close to the ankles might not have blood thinners prescribed. Some patients may need a small temporary filter placed into the Vena Cava. The best regimen for the patient will be decided by his/her healthcare professional. Always speak with your doctor if you have questions concerning your health!

Additionally, since the lack of mobility is a contributing factor to clot formation, most patients are encouraged to be active rather than being advised to keep still or initiate bed rest. Compression therapy is an important part of treatment as well for relief of swelling, and as part of the treatment to prevent the above described complication known as Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS). PTS varies from mild swelling to incapacitating swelling with pain and ulceration. Up to 60% of patients with a history of DVT develop PTS, and about 10% of these people will have skin break down in the lower part of the leg, called a venous stasis ulcer.

What can we do to raise DVT awareness?

Although the diagnosis of DVT is serious, by recognizing the symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention, Deep Vein Thrombosis can be treated and wearing graduated compression stockings will minimize the symptoms and complications. As long as people are aware of the risks associated with DVT, we can spread the word about proper prevention and treatment options. Knowledge is power and knowing the education behind DVT can prevent a lot of unnecessary deaths.

Links:

1. ^ Air Health.org – Danger! Athletes. May 5, 2006.

2. ^ BBC – Gamer’s death blamed on DVT. July 30, 2011.

If you experience a lot of achiness or fatigue in your legs, or if you simply want to be proactive, here are some easy ways to improve the health of your feet and legs:

1. Wear compression socks.

You may have heard of using compression socks for varicose veins or poor circulation, but you don’t need to have a medical condition to benefit from compression socks. Wearing compression socks daily can help promote the circulation in your legs, keeping the blood in your lower limbs healthy and oxygenated.

Additionally, compression stockings can help reduce the fatigue you feel from standing for long periods of time. It can also help prevent the formation of varicose veins. Likewise, compression stockings can prevent or reduce fluid retention and reduce the stress in your legs while traveling.

2. Exercise.

Getting your heart pumping and your blood flowing is an excellent way to improve the health of your legs. Exercise tones your muscles, increases the flow of blood and oxygen to your limbs, and helps you gain more endurance and stamina for other daily activities.

Athlete or not, when you use performance compression socks specifically for exercising, you will experience less muscle fatigue, a reduced buildup of lactic acid and less post-workout soreness. If you prefer not to wear compression socks while working out, you can use them afterward to help your legs recover.

3. Elevate your feet.

Sit back and put your feet up whenever you can. When you sit or recline for long periods, gravity can prevent the blood in your legs from circulating back up to your heart. Elevating your feet is not just a matter of comfort; it’s a way of using gravity in your favor. For those times when you cannot prop up your feet on an ottoman or stool – such as in an airplane or during a long car ride – you can wear compression stockings or socks to obtain similar benefits.

4. Get a massage.

Not only do foot and leg massages feel good, they also help keep your legs in shape. The pressure from a massage stimulates your nerves and helps get the blood in your legs and feet flowing. After a massage, wear compression socks to help reduce lactic acid buildup.

In addition to massages, it’s helpful to treat your feet to a warm soak. Add Epsom salt to a footbath to help reduce muscle swelling, prevent fluid buildup and alleviate swollen ankles.

5. Develop healthier habits.

Bodies are like machines; what you do to one part of your body will affect the rest. The better your overall fitness level, the healthier your legs will be. Things like quitting smoking, lowering your blood pressure, practicing proper nutrition and reducing stress can all have a positive long-term impact on your legs.

Developing strong, healthy legs doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, care and persistence. By adopting the practices outlined above, however, you can take charge of your leg health and begin feeling better immediately. Talk to your physician about changes you can make to your diet and activity level, and get fitted for a pair of compression socks.

Here are three glaring signs your compression stockings aren’t a good fit:

1. They are painful to wear. Your Medi compression stockings should never feel painful. If they do, this is a sign that you are wearing a size that is too small or gives your legs more compression than you need.

2. They slide down your legs. When you wear compression support stockings, the swelling in your leg can decrease so much (a good thing) that you may need to purchase a smaller compression stocking size. Measure your legs every month to make sure you are wearing the correct compression support stockings, and replace them every four to five months.

3. They twist and bunch. When your compression stocking bunches up, wrinkles or twists around your leg, you are wearing the wrong size. In fact, compression support stockings that do this can have a tourniquet-like effect around your legs and actually decrease circulation.

If you feel any discomfort while wearing a compression stocking, it is worth your while to try a new size. Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure about which type of compression support stockings are right for you.

Make Recovery Safer

Often, getting plenty of rest is critical for recovery. This implies minimal to no physical activity in order to allow your body to fully heal. However, in some cases, a lack of activity can slow down your blood circulation. Poor circulation can lead to blood clots in your veins, which can become a serious or even fatal condition.

Post-surgery, compression stockings can encourage blood circulation in your legs as well as your entire body. The surgical compression stockings put a gentle, graduated pressure on your legs, “massaging” your leg muscles and veins to keep the blood moving.

Keep Fluid Circulating

Your doctor may also recommend that you buy compression stockings for use in post-surgery recovery to help reduce swelling in your legs. Sometimes after surgery, fluid will build up around the surgery site, and this can cause swelling or edema as well as hamper your healing. Compression stockings can help keep this fluid moving and promote your overall recovery.

If you travel frequently or only occasionally take long trips by car or plane, there are a number of benefits to wearing compression socks during your travels.  There’s even something called “economy class syndrome” that refers to the increased risk of blood clots after sitting in the same, cramped positions for an extended period of time.  Wearing compression stockings during travel has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).  Plus, the increased circulation brought on my compression socks can help lessen the feeling on lower body fatigue, achiness, and soreness post-travel.  If you are sleeping or lying down for long periods of time, you may want to remove your compression stockings, but do check with your doctor about wearing compression stockings when sleeping or lying down.

If your job requires you to sit or stand in the same place for extended periods of time, wearing compression socks are very beneficial.  The graduated pressure provided by compression socks helps bring relief to tired, achy feet and legs.  As mentioned, there are compression stockings for men available that are so discreet that they look very similar to the ordinary socks you might already wear to work every day. You should always check with your doctor to make sure there isn’t a limit to the amount of consecutive time you can wear your support stockings during the day.  Sometimes, wearing the support stockings in excess of the time indicated by your doctor can worsen symptoms or lead to other complications.  Otherwise, you could wear the compression socks all day long to maintain a healthy increase in circulation and ward off swelling or muscle fatigue.

Athletes of all kinds are catching on to the benefits of wearing compression socks during workouts, training and recovery.  High tech fibers and materials for sports compression socks provide support for your feet, ankles, calves and legs, while the graduated pressure helps improve circulation in your legs and muscles. Thisallows for faster recovery, better performance during long workouts and reduced muscle fatigue. Compression socks even feature padded foot soles for additional comfort and extra-breathable fibers for advanced heat and moisture management.

For years now, pregnant women have enjoyed wearing maternity compression stockings because of they help prevent varicose veins brought on by pregnancy.  Maternity compression stockings can also help with other ailments that come about with the increased strain on an expectant mother’s circulation system.  Swelling, leg cramps, and general leg achiness are common in pregnancy, but can be eased through the proper use of compression stockings.  The extra boost in circulation provided by the support stockings can help to re-energize tired and sore legs, while also helping to relieve the “heaviness” many moms-to-be experience in their lower body.

There are no rules stating that you must have the negative symptoms relieved by compression stockings before you can start wearing them, but you should check with your doctor.  Standing for a long period of time can cause blood to pool in your feet, while sitting can cause unhealthy constriction of the blood vessels in your legs.  The undesirable effects of these conditions can take a while to show, as can the appearance of varicose veins or spider veins.  Wearing compression socks regularly can help to prevent or ward off such circulation issues from becoming a problem for you.

The article here is for informational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor if you have any questions relating to your health.

1. Varicose Veins

This condition is caused when the valves within veins, most commonly those in the legs, are not functioning properly. Blood flows backwards into the veins causing swelling, pain, and aching in the legs. The affected veins typically expand and enlarge, becoming unattractive and sometimes bulged out against the skin. Compression stockings, in this case, will compress the expanded veins and encourage blood flow in the proper direction. Depending on the location of your varicose veins, you could use thigh high or knee high compression stockings effectively.

2. Edema

Edema refers to tissue swelling that occurs when fluids are retained around body cells. This can be the result of a number of factors, such as poor circulation or even excessive sodium intake. When swelling occurs, your compression stocking can help encourage blood flow and dissipate the retained fluid.

3. Pregnant Women

Very often, pregnant women experience edema in the feet and lower legs, for which knee high compression stockings can provide welcome relief. The weight gain and/or increased fluid retention associated with pregnancy can bring on circulation problems, in that the veins in the legs and feet are under more stress. Wearing compression stockings while pregnant promotes healthy blood flow and proper circulation to help reduce swelling and achy legs.

4. Runners

More and more, runners are discovering the benefits of compression stocking, in terms of increased performance during a run and reduced muscle fatigue after a run. This is due to the inherent increased circulation and support compression stockings provide. Knee-high compression stockings are easily worn alone or under a pair of normal running socks, making them both convenient and highly beneficial.

5. Frequent Travelers

Afflictions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis are brought on by factors such as immobility and decreased blood flow – factors that are tough to avoid on long plane rides. Compression stockings are extremely useful in this case, to promote increased blood flow in your legs and feet, thus making the formation of blood clots less likely.

If you have any questions about your health, please consult your doctor.

You may be surprised to hear that Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) affects thousands of Americans every year, though many are unclear about exactly what it is or how serious it can be. March serves as DVT Awareness Month and this is an excellent opportunity for us to share more information about this fairly common condition, when to discuss DVT with your doctor, and how compression stockings can help.

DVT describes the affliction of a blood clot formed in a deep vein (one that is not close to the skin), typically in the leg or pelvis, though occasionally clots are found in the arm. DVT results when three specific factors occur: reduced or stagnant blood flow in the deep veins, injury to the blood vessel wall, and hypercoagulability of the blood (meaning it is more likely to clot). The clot(s) can cause partially or fully blocked blood circulation in the affected limbs, and some symptoms of DVT are limb swelling, redness or discoloration, and/or pain. Not everyone experiences symptoms though. If DVT is untreated by a doctor, it could lead to serious complications, such as pulmonary embolism (PE). PE occurs when a clot detaches from its location and travels into the lungs, where it can prevent blood flow to or from a pulmonary artery – a very serious condition.

If you have any risk factors associated with DVT, your doctor may recommend the use of compression stockings, compression socks, or even thigh high compression stockings, which are specially made to help improve blood flow in the leg or legs. Compression stockings and compression socks are constructed to be tighter at the feet and become looser towards the top. Again, you’ll want to consult your doctor to find out if you should be using compression stockings, compression socks, or thigh high compression stockings, depending on your personal needs.

If you have any questions about your health, please consult your doctor.