FAQ on Compression Hosiery

Compression hosiery is specialized medical product highly effective in the management of chronic venous diseases. Get

essential information on this garment in this document.

1 How can compression hosiery help you?

Flow of blood from your legs back up to heart is often affected by different medical conditions, increase in age, weight gain or other occupational stresses. Now, poor blood circulation may develop symptoms ranging from aching, fatigue and swelling of legs and feet. It can even develop more serious conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or varicose vein. These conditions can be treated by wearing compression hosiery. This approach is generally termed by doctors as compression therapy.

2 How compression therapy is provided by

compression hosiery?

Compression hosiery provides pressure to the circumference of the leg. This affects the surface veins of the leg in a graduated, controlled way. The pressure applied reduces the size of the inflated surface veins and blood is forced into the deep vein system within the legs. Clinical studies have found that compression therapy promotes the flow of blood to the deep veins of the leg. It results into better circulation of blood which relieves painful symptoms caused by poor blood circulation.

3 What does “graduated” apply as it relates to

compression hosiery?

Compression stockings fit most snuggly around the ankles and gradually they become loose at the knees and thighs. The term graduated applies to the level of compressive pressure applied to the circumference of the leg. This pressure gradually reduces as the stocking moves from the lower to upper part of the leg. The level of pressure in compression hosiery is indicated with the measurement term “mmHg” or millimeters of mercury. Some of the examples are 20mmHg, 20-30mmHg and 30-40mm Hg.

4

What are the different types of medical conditions

treated by compression stockings?

The symptoms of venous insufficiency, varicose veins, chronic ankle, phlebitis and leg swelling and deep vein thrombosis are commonly treated with graduated compression therapy. Compression hosiery is a medical product. To get the best possible result from the therapy, it is important to wear a stocking which provides the correct level of compression. So, it is important to consult with any medical professional or doctor for advice regarding the correct compression level that will exactly suit your condition. Report your doctor from time to time about any changes in your health condition for proper adjustment of the compression level.

5 Who should not wear the garment?

Medical conditions in which compression stocking is not recommended include uncontrolled congestive heart failure, phlegmasia coerula dolens and untreated septic phlebitis.

6

Is compression hosiery beneficial for healthy people

or athletes?

Anyone who needs to stand or sit for a longer period of time may suffer from constriction of blood vessels. Graduated compression hosiery is highly effective in reducing syndromes like the fatigue, swelling and leg pain as it boosts the circulation of blood. Athletes, especially runners find that knee-high compression stockings boost their performances significantly. Pregnant women also sometime develop venous problems, such as varicose veins. Compression hosiery like pantyhose is highly beneficial to minimize these health issues.

7 Can compression hosiery prevent “economy class

syndrome”?

Economy class syndrome also popularly known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is quite a grave condition in which blood clots are developed in the legs, when someone is travelling by flight due to cramped seating positions and cabin pressure. Studies reveal that graduated compression hosiery, also called travel socks can minimize or prevent blood clots formation.

/WestPharmacyCalifornia

/westdrug