Benefits of Compression Stockings
Compression stockings can help with age-related problems and diseases, making life much more miserable for our elderly loved ones. From chronic diseases to physical disability, old age has a lot of aggravation to deal with the several disease conditions that affect our loved ones.
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Cardiovascular disease
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Hypertension
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Chronic arthritis
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Diabetes
These are some of the prominent conditions affecting our elderly.
Aging Cause Leg Problems
Furthermore, with an increase in age, there is a significant decrease in physical activity, which can cause a sudden increase in weight. This gain in weight can strain the venous system, leading to the development of veins-related problems in the legs. We also tend to lose muscle mass as we age, further decreasing the veins’ support Pain in the legs and swelling are usually the first signs of venous insufficiency. As a result, the blood flow to the legs gets disturbed. Causing the skin to get discolored, and hin and more prone to infections. In addition, minor injuries are harder to heal completely, which can lead to leg ulcers.
Thanks to all these conditions, life becomes harder for our elderly. Therefore, finding various ways to help them live a comfortable and contended life becomes necessary. As caregivers, it becomes our prime duty to make life comfortable for our elderly.
Understanding vein problems and the role of compression stockings
Leg vein problems are a common problem of old age. These problems arise when the veins in the legs become damaged.
And are no longer capable of bringing the venous blood back to the trunk. Prevention and treatment will help from permanent damage sets in, apart from losing weight, exercising, and using medications. Seniors can also begin using compression stockings to alleviate their leg vein problems.
Compression stockings have proved to be essential for managing various vein problems such as deep vein thrombosis, venous insufficiency, and varicose veins. These stockings act as a muscle layer that gently squeezes the vein walls together. This squeeze is tight at the ankle and lightens steadily as we move up. This act improves overall circulation By allowing the valves to restore blood circulation to the heart and the rest of the body.
Types of leg vein problems
There are three significant types of leg vein problems that our elderly suffer from.
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Deep vein thrombosis: A condition characterized by developing blood clots in the deep vein. Hence the name deep vein thrombosis (blood clot). This causes our elderly to experience pain and swelling in the affected leg.
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Venous insufficiency: a condition wherein the one–way valves pare resent in the veins. Fail to prevent the blood from flowing in the backward direction. The WThedamaged valves can no longer move the blood up to the heart. And as a result of which, blood starts getting accumulating, causing pain and swelling in the legs. If your loved one complains of leg cramps, their legs appear swollen and painful. Then they might be suffering from venous insufficiency.
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Varicose veins are a common problem in the elderly. In this condition, the veins fill with more blood, causing them to become painful and swollen.
Compression stockings – a blessing for the elderly
Compression stockings provide support and comfort to the lower legs and ankles. Ankle supports are helpful products, and we should encourage our elderly to use these.
They are for older adults experiencing problems due to improper or poor blood circulation. They may experience poor circulation either as an independent problem. Or as an accompaniment to various chronic degenerative diseases. Compression stocking iimprovestlood circulation, thereby easing swelling and pain.
The compression stockings help in the treatment of
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Blood clots
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Varicose veins
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Spider veins
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Swelling
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Tired legs
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Pain in the legs
Compression stockings and their role in maintaining circulation
The main goal of compression stockings is to restore blood circulation in the legs. This is to ease the pain and lessen the swelling. BRegularwearing of compression stockings reduces any leg problems a lot. And would, in turn, help seniors move about freely.
Compression stockings mimic the role of our muscles. They help pump blood from the lower legs to the rest of the body. A phenomenon that otherwise would not occur due to leg vein problems. They are tight at the toes, and the pressure decreases as we move higher up the legs.
Compression stockings help prevent blood from collecting or pooling in the lower legs by overcoming gravity, thereby preventing the chances of developing a blood clot. A blood clot in such areas can be very dangerous, as it can travel to other bodily regions. In addition, when worn regularly, it helps relieve muscle cramps, fatigue, swelling, and itching.
Selecting the suitable compression stockings for your loved ones
Choosing the correct compression stockings is necessary to provide them with the maximum support and benefit. Here are specific tips for choosing the suitable compression stockings for your elderly:
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The socks should not be tight but firm enough to provide proper support to the leg. Extremely tight pantyhose can even restrict blood flow, making matters worse.
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Your elderly should be able to remove the stockings easily and not with difficulty. For example, eliminating socks would be complicated if they are very tight. At the same time, if the socks are loose, they can not provide proper support.
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Ask the doctor, and decide on the compression stocking size that best suits your elderly. There are various sizes available – some cover the calf, and some socks go up to the knee length. Therefore, depending on the complaint and need. But first, you would have to decide on the size of the compression stockings.
How to care for compression stockings
It would be best if you took good care of your compression stockings. After all, these pairs ease your pain and support your legs. In addition, the following tips can help keep your socks clean:
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You must wash your stockings daily with mild soap and water and rinse them dry. If possible, it is advisable to have two pairs of socks. Since you wear them the whole day and take them off at night, it is necessary to wash them regularly to maintain hygiene.
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Avoid washing your stockings in the machine.
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Replace your stockings every 3 – 6 months to maintain their support.
Conclusion
Any disease that restricts the blood flow or inhibits circulation can be fatal for our elderly. For example, pain in the legs, swelling in the ankles, heaviness, etc., All arise from poor blood circulation and can ruin the lives of our elderly. When you get older, there is an unwanted rise in the number of ailments,you suffer. Therefore, it becomes our duty as caregivers to help our seniors live comfortable life. Compression stockings offer great help to our loved ones. They help to ease the pain and decrease the discomfort caused due to various types of leg vein problems. Therefore, as caregivers, we must make wise choices and help our elderly live fulfilling lives. For more help with veins, check out this article on varicose veins.
