Wearing compression socks can help get the blood moving and reduce the swelling. It is important to wear them when your doctor prescribes them for you. And if you have varicose veins, they may help you too.
Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself during COVID-19.
There is no point not wearing your compression socks when your doctor prescribes them. If they hurt, then you probably need a bigger size.
Get in to the habit of putting your compression socks on as soon as you get out of bed every morning and take them off as you go to bed at night.
Going for a walk may be difficult during lockdown but it is still possible. Try walk for a minimum of 30 minutes each day even if you break this down in to 10 minutes at a time. There is no need to walk briskly. Just go for a stroll. Enjoy your environment and your neighbour’s gardens. And if you are not allowed out, take a stroll around the house and garden a couple of times a day. It is a good opportunity to enjoy your garden.
Exercise your calf muscles to reduce or prevent any swelling. Along with wearing your compression socks it can boost blood flow in the area. Try some of the following exercises to get your blood moving:
Elevating your feet above your heart is medically therapeutic. Lie on the couch and, with the help of pillows or cushions, raise your feet so they are above your heart. In other words, your toes should be at least at nose height or higher.
Look after your skin as part of your overall leg health care strategy. Use a natural, good quality liquid soap when you wash daily. It will help stop your skin drying out. And at night, use a good moisturiser on your legs and feet before going to bed. This will give it a chance to absorb in to your skin overnight, and keep your skin moist and supple.
Compression socks and stockings have an effective life of between three and six months. After this they will lost the ability to relieve welling or promote blood flow. So it is vital you know how long you have been wearing each pair. Find a way to mark each pair so you know when to stop wearing them.
When sitting around reading a book, watching a movie or checking out social media, exercise each leg. In between chapters or in ad or rest breaks try writing the alphabet with alternate big toes. Don’t laugh. Try it. It is harder than it sounds and gives your lower legs a good work out.
It can often be difficult to get compression socks on and off. Try wearing rubber gloves to help roll on or off your socks. This can make it easier. Often you just need the right techniques. When you know how to put them on and remove them the right way, you should never have problems again.
It is important to take of yourself during COVID-19. Make sure you are wearing your compression socks to help reduce pain and swelling in your lower legs. Go for a walk and spend time exercising your calf muscles when you spend a lot of time sitting around.
]]>These days compression socks are more functional than ever before. And they are easy to put on and take off when you use the right techniques. You get into trouble when you try to put them on like any other socks or stockings. This is because they fit the tightest around the ankle and the compression reduces higher up your leg to promote upwards circulation.
To put on compression socks:
To remove compression socks:
You can get different aids to help you put on and take off your compression socks if you need them.
Compression socks are made of a different materials to perform their intended function. There are lot of different types of compression socks; for example, for medical use, different rates of compression and materials used. Quality, finish, durability and ease of use all contribute to the cost.
Do not let how much they cost turn you off. There are compression socks to suit your budget. And they are durable so should last for a long time.
While compression socks help with medical conditions, they are also useful for everyday wear. Their purpose is to promote good circulation while at work or play. Anyone standing or sitting for long periods of time can benefit from wearing compression socks. For example, when traveling confined to a plane for long hours and athletes who spend a lot of time running as part of their sport.
Properly fitting compression socks promotes good circulation rather than cutting it off as some people believe.
A complete myth. Compression socks cannot help you lose weight and nothing you wear can either. To lose weight, you need a good diet and exercise.
In the past compression socks were unattractive but this is not true today. In fact, many compression sock and stocking designs are stylish making them hard to distinguish from normal ones.
Manufacturers make them from a variety of materials such as nylon, cotton, spandex and wool. They come in colourful prints and patterns, and in bright colours. And some are opaque or sheer. There are compression socks for every day wear and medical use.
Modern compression socks are also more functional than in the past. Some socks are antibacterial, reduce odours and some pull moisture away from your skin.
These days no one can tell if you are wearing compression socks just be looking at them.
There is no reason not to buy compression socks. They have many everyday uses that can benefit you while on your feet all day, traveling or playing sport. Give them a try.
]]>Wearing compression socks is often recommended after certain types of surgery to promote better healing. They are usually used when you cannot move much after your operation to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
If your surgeon or healthcare worker does not recommend their use, it is best to ask their advice before deciding to wear them.
How long you wear compression socks for after surgery depends on your recovery. But you should wear them as much as possible during the day and in bed at night until your movement is back to normal.
Your health workers will assess whether you need to wear compression socks or not while in hospital. It depends on the risks of developing DVT. These risks include:
So what are the benefits of wearing compression socks?
DVT manifests deep in the veins when a blood clot forms. They usually occur in your legs but can form in other parts of your body. When a blood clot breaks off, it can travel through your system and cause serious problems such as a pulmonary embolism in your lungs.
Surgery can increase the chance of blood clots forming when you cannot move around as normal. Signs of DVT developing incudes red or discoloured skin and pain in your leg. By wearing compression socks, you can reduce DVT from forming.
Often you need to restrict your movement after an operation so the stitches at the surgical site can heal. But lying around during the healing process is not good for your circulation. You need to move around to get your heart pumping to stimulate the flow of blood through your system. Wearing the right compression socks helps your circulation by applying gentle pressure to your legs while you need to rest after an operation.
Developing spider and varicose veins is common after an operation, especially if you had surgery on your lower legs. These occur because the circulation slows down which cause the veins to expand as the blood pools in them.
Spider veins are a cosmetic problem that look like thin, dark lines close to the surface of you skin. Varicose veins, on the other hand, can be a more serious problem They are larger and darker than spider veins, and can bulge out from your skin They can be itchy and make your legs ache. Wearing compression socks reduces the risk of these forming by promoting better circulation.
Some swelling after an operation is common around the surgical site. By wearing compression socks, the specially woven material in them stops the skin from expanding. They do not allow fluid to settle in one place and forces it to continue circulating through your system.
Wearing compression socks after surgery can accelerate healing. Because they increase your circulation, the oxygen and nutrients needed can easily reach the wound site. Good circulation also helps you absorb any medication into your bloodstream to distribute it throughout your body.
Compression socks do not replace other care required after surgery. But the use of compression socks are a good part of your overall care plan. How long you need to wear them depends on the healing process.
]]>There are so many different types of compression socks on the market, how do choose the right ones? It is important to select the best socks to get the most benefit from wearing compression socks.
First of all you need to identify why you need to wear compression socks.
The first step to choosing the right compression socks is to identify what purpose they will serve. Are you on your feet all day and want to reduce the aching in your legs at the end of the day? Or are you travelling long distances or sitting for long periods of time and want them to provide comfort? Have you just had surgery and need to increase circulation in your legs? Do you have a medical condition such as varicose veins or diabetes that decreases blood circulation that causes swelling and pain? Once you understand the reason you need compression socks, you can choose the right ones to suit your situation.
Before you start, understand that compression is measured in mmHg (millimetres of Mercury). This is the same measurement used for taking your blood pressure. Compression socks range from 15 mmHg up to 40 mmHg so it is important to choose the best compression for your specific purpose:
The type of compression sock you choose, depends on the area of your legs affected. The different types of compression socks include:
The following are the different types of fabric compression socks come in and the situation they are suited to:
It is also important that your compression socks fit correctly. Make sure you measure the circumference of your calf to help choose the right size. They should have a snug fit around your leg and feet without being too tight, and should be comfortable.
DVT symptoms include the skin feeling warm when you touch it, swelling, tenderness or pain. While anyone is at risk of developing DVT, you are at greater risk following a traumatic event or an operation. Being a smoker and overweight are other risk factors.
Because of the seriousness of DVT, your doctor may recommend wearing compression stockings. They work by reducing swelling and improving the blood flow to your heart and lungs.
Compression stockings are just like tights or pantyhose except they have a different function and are made from a different material. You wear pantyhose to protect your legs and as part of an outfit. But compression stockings are an elasticised material made to fit snugly around your ankle area and less tightly further up your caves and thighs.
They create pressure to move the blood up your legs so it can circulate freely to your heart. They also reduce any pain and swelling. Doctors recommend medical compression stockings to prevent DVT to stop your blood pooling and clotting around your ankles.
In general, a combination of two of the following underlying conditions can cause a DVT to form:
There are many risk factors that can lead to developing a blood clot. These are cumulative meaning the more risk factors you have, the greater the risk of blood clots.
DVT risk factors include:
To treat DVT, your doctor will prescribe an anticoagulant drug and wearing medical compression stockings. Taking the drugs and wearing compression socks will allow rapidly decrease the symptoms so you can move around normally. And the treatment can last for up to a couple of months.
Compression stockings apply graduated external pressure to your leg to reduce the pressure on the veins in your legs. The stockings are like an additional layer of muscle. They gently squeeze the walls of your stretched veins together to close the valves. This reduces the size of the vein and restores your circulation to normal.
There are many things you can do to prevent DVT if your lifestyle or an operation puts you at high risk of DVT. These include:
Compression stockings are good for preventing and treating DVT. But it is important you use the right level of compression for the situation. Do not use medical grade compression stockings unless prescribed or advised by your medical professional or they may cause unintended problems.
]]>Long shifts on their feet for up to 12 hours a day.
They assist doctors, attend to patients needs, talk to families, and comfort families and patients in their time of need.
Nursing is challenging and takes a toll physically, emotionally and mentally. Yet, no matter what nurses are going through, they are there on the frontline doing what they need to do.
True heroes of the medical field, their jobs are essential.
Often by the end each day, nurses suffer with leg and foot pain.
Neglecting pain in your legs and feet can cause varicose and spider veins, swelling and cardiovascular problems. But it does not need to be this way. There is a solution. Compression socks.
So how do compression socks work?
It is common for nurses to have swollen feet and pain at the end of a busy shift. Wearing compression socks helps the blood vessels work better.
The blood in your veins work against gravity to flow back to the heart.
This results in it pooling in your lower legs and feet. Pooling can cause aching, swelling, tired and sore legs.
Compression socks apply gentle pressure to your legs and ankles so your blood vessels work better. This helps the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to muscles relax so the blood circulating in your legs moves freely back up to your heart.
Compression socks prevents blood pooling so it’s harder for clots to form.
Being on your feet for long periods of time daily can cause varicose veins. Blood pools in your lower extremities causing your veins to twist and enlarge in these areas. Apart from the pain, no one likes the look of varicose veins. But it is not all about vanity. Varicose veins can make your legs tired, heavy, itchy and painful. The last thing you want to do is spend your time off recovering.
Compression socks help to relieve the symptoms and progress of varicose veins forming by managing the pressure in your legs.
They squeeze your legs gently so the blood does not pool in your legs and feet.
Wearing compression socks, from the time you begin each shift, can decrease leg fatigue and the heaviness you feel after a long day on your feet nonstop. There is rarely time to sit and rest when an emergency can come through the door at any time.
Nursing is hard work.
Fortunately, compression socks improve blood circulation making it easier for your circulatory system to deliver oxygen to your muscles. This also helps to remove lactic acid from your muscles which can also cause soreness.
Compression socks fuel your system to boost the health of your legs and feet so you are more comfortable working throughout the day.
After a 12-hour shift, swollen legs and feet are almost a guarantee. It adds to the discomfort of working long hours. As if you do not have enough to contend with already as a nurse. Built up fluids in muscle tissues and the pain it causes can impact your ability to do a good job.
It distracts you from respond responding quickly to patients in need of emergency treatment.
Get in to the habit of wearing compression socks.
The graduated compression improves circulation to prevent your feet and legs from swelling. They are tighter around the feet and lower legs which are the areas where swelling occurs most.
Every nurse needs to wear compression socks to make working more comfortable.
Wear compression socks to relax in after a day spent on your feet to boost muscle recovery. Look after your feet once your shift finishes. Wearing them at home after a long day helps relieve muscle soreness, assist in reducing swelling and improves circulation to your legs and feet.
Compression socks com in fun, bright, funky patterns and colours. You can wear them hidden under your uniform and scrubs. Add some style and personality to jazz up your day.
They increase your mood and express your individuality. Compression socks can be fun and practical at the same time.
Every nurse needs to add compression socks to their daily uniform. They are a tool that makes working long hours daily a little easier. Wearing compression socks keep your legs and feet healthy so you can keep helping others without being in pain yourself.
How often have you travelled this way only to discover your ankles swollen to twice their size when landing at your destination?
It is not a great way to start a holiday or return home.
Hobbling to collect your baggage and leaving the airport in pain.
While traveling the world to discover new cultures is exciting, the downside is sitting on planes for long hours. The low pressure affects your legs while flying thousands of feet in the air and increases the chance of landing with swollen legs and ankles. Being unable to move around takes a toll on your circulatory system. It also risks developing blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
One way to reduce the risk of DVT is wear compression socks while traveling.
DVT can be difficult to diagnose as there are not always visible symptoms to alert you that something is wrong. This is mainly because it has an impact on the veins deep in your legs, not the ones close to the surface.
It is not until people notice persistent pain in their legs do they think something may be wrong. But some people notice their legs are red in colour and more painful when walking or standing.
Others notice their legs and feet feel warm.
Other DVT risk factors include people with blood circulation problems, cancer, pregnancy, smoking, chronic conditions, ageing and obesity. So compression socks give you added peace of mind while in the air by reducing the risk of DVT.
While the risk of DVT on long haul flights is low, compression socks reduces the risk even further. They work using gentle pressure to increase the blood flow in the veins buried deeply in your legs. This helps your leg muscles and veins move blood more efficiently to your heart.
Compression socks prevent blood pooling in your lower extremities so they reduce the risk of DVT. They also reduce swelling and pain so when you land you are not crippled with pain.
Compression socks are an inexpensive preventive method that protects you during long periods of inactivity.
Avoid putting on your compression socks at the airport just before boarding your flight. Put them on much earlier. Speaking to Herald Travel, Dr Marc Shaw of Worldwise Travel Clinics in New Zealand said people should put them on first thing in the morning before your legs have a chance to swell. By doing this your legs have a chance to adapt.
He also said travellers should not rush to take them off when they land. Leave them on for several hours to assist in reducing the swelling. This is again to allow for the body to adapt after landing.
When you first use compression socks it can be a little tricky to them on because they are tight. The easiest way is to turn them inside out over the toe area. Put the sock over your toes and roll the sock over your foot and up your leg.
When compression socks feel too tight or are painful to wear, the size is probably wrong. It is important to get the size correct. Your legs should feel gentle, persistent pressure when you have the right size. They should never cause pain or feel like your legs are being strangled.
While wearing compression socks is effective for preventing your legs from swelling, it also helps to move around the cabin for a few minutes every hour or two. It can even be worth asking for an aisle seat if you are in a DVT high risk category. By sitting on the aisle, it gives you easy access to move around without disturbing the passenger next to you.
Also drink water to stay hydrated and flex your ankles every 30 minutes while flying. All these things combined with wearing compression socks will help prevent your legs swelling and reduce the likelihood of DVT developing.
Make a fashion statement
Compression socks come in all sorts of colours and patterns. So wear them to make a fashion statement to reflect your individuality. They can brighten or complement any travel outfit while being functional.
When flying do not forget your compression socks especially if you are at risk of developing DVT. They apply gentle pressure to your legs and feet to reduce swelling. But make sure they fit correctly. Put them on when you get up and take them off several hours after landing to allow your body to adapt.
Make compression socks an essential part of your travel kit.