Compression stockings: when should you wear them?

Support stockings or compression stockings are certainly not the most beautiful items of clothing. But there are good reasons to wear them.

via Tanja Seiffert

10/11/2021, 14:18

Frau mit langen Beinen — Vein problems or pregnancy can make compression stockings advisable.

As the word "compression" suggests, the medical stockings exert pressure. This is intended to help the veins transport blood towards the heart. Compression stockings are therefore prescribed to people who suffer from venous insufficiency. Over time, spider veins form or the weakened veins appear as bluish, tortuous varicose veins. In the case of chronic venous insufficiency, the clinical picture is aggravated, including heavy, painful legs. Open legs or thromboses can also be caused by venous insufficiency.

Wear support stockings as a preventative measure

To relieve the veins or support their function, it often makes sense to wear support stockings as a preventative measure. This can be useful in the following cases to counteract a severe course of the disease, for example thrombosis. A compression pressure of 15-20 mmHg is recommended for preventive measures:

Duringpregnancy: the increasing pressure on the body and the circulatory system can cause the veins to expand more quickly - which in turn can impair blood circulation. Support stockings with so-called degressive compression can alleviate or counteract associated problems such as swelling, pain, cramps or even venous thrombosis.

When traveling: It doesn't always have to be long flights - anyone who is prone to varicose veins for genetic reasons should always wear compression stockings on flights, as sitting for long periods makes blood circulation more difficult. Everyone should think about this on long flights if they don't have a seat with enough legroom.

Working standing up: Sales clerks, nurses - in professions where you have to stand a lot, compression stockings can have a preventative effect against varicose veins and spider veins. The legs are under a lot of strain and may therefore need support so that the veins can transport the blood to the heart.

Wear compression stockings for weakened veins

While spider veins are generally not treated from a medical point of view, but are a matter of appearance, various therapies can be initiated for varicose veins. One of these is wearing compression stockings. The veins are "held together" and can do their job better, i.e. transport the blood to the heart. Support or compression stockings are available in different pressure levels, depending on the clinical picture.