Why Use Compressions Stockings for Edema Treatment

Do you suffer from edema? This is what you call the condition that involves the abnormal accumulation of fluid under the skin, which then affects circulation in the feet, ankles, and lower legs.

It is common to use compression stockings for edema management because these improve the blood flow that edema has made inefficient.

Edema is brought forth by a number of causes, including sports injuries, extending sitting or standing, varicose veins, surgery, and pregnancy. Considering this, you can assume that there are many in Maryland who experience it.

Fortunately, compression socks for edema are available in different colors, patterns, and styles. If you need to wear them, you can certainly expect them to be both effective and stylish.

How exactly does compression help edema? The measured pressure provided by those firm, elastic compression stockings to your lower legs gives your ankles a good grip and increasingly eases as it goes up your legs.

This is effective in preventing the accumulation of fluid in the tissue. Basically, the compression provided by these socks forces blood to circulate back to the heart, improving the flow of blood and decreasing its accumulation in the lower legs.

As a rule, compressions stockings are worn during the day, but removed at night. This practice is known to reduce leg and foot swelling, which attests to the efficacy of using them for edema treatment. The stockings come in varying compression levels. You need to figure out which one works best in your case.

Generally, the advice is to start with the lowest amount of pressure recommended for your condition. If this is your first time to try wearing compression stockings, it’s best that you don’t go for extra firm compression.

Understandably, compression stockings are quite difficult to slip on. You put them on as you would normal socks, but the increased pressure makes them tighter and more unwieldy. The higher the compression provided by the stockings, the harder they are to put on.

There are people who apply some talcum powder to help the process along. Another common technique is to roll the stocking from the top down to the heel, slip your foot in as far as it would go, and roll the stocking back up again. Make sure that it rolls up straight, smooth, and tight.

For edema treatment, compression stockings should be changed every three to six months to make sure that they provide the pressure you require. They should be kept clean and washed with detergent when needed.