Compression Stockings and Health

Compression Stockings and Sleep Apnea: Can Support Hose Help You Sleep Better?

Doctors often recommend compression stockings for a variety of health conditions — from deep vein thrombosis to leg swelling (edema) of pregnancy to lymphedema to varicose veins. But new research published in the November 2011 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine suggests that this type of medical therapy may benefit people with a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea.

Researchers in Paris, France, instructed a group of people with obstructive sleep apnea to wear compression stockings to wear the support hose daily for 1 week; the comparison group did not wear stockings for 1 week. After a week, the groups switched. During the study, every night the researchers measured each participant’s neck fluid volume.

The researchers theorized that preventing fluid accumulation in the legs by using compression stockings would then prevent fluid from building up in the neck – and their theory proved correct in this small study of 12 people. When the people in the study wore the stockings, they had 62% less fluid in the legs, 60% reduction in the size of their necks (indicating less fluid buildup), and 36% fewer sleep apnea incidents per hour.

Sleep apnea, which causes between 5 and 30 brief interruptions in sleep per hour, doesn’t just leave you drowsy. Obstructive sleep apnea can wreck serious havoc on your health.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the airway blockage caused by sleep apnea can increase your blood pressure, as well as increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, heart failure and arrhythmias. It also increases the likelihood that a person will be involved in work-related or driving accidents.

Doctors treat obstructive sleep apnea by prescribing lifestyle changes (like losing weight and avoiding alcohol) and oral appliance and continuous positive airway pressure machines to make breathing at night easier.

Compression stockings are prescribed for people with a wide variety of venous insufficiency disorders. Using compression stockings and compression stocking aids can promote blood flow, reducing the risk of blood clots, leg swelling and other vein problems.

If you have vein problems or chronic sleep apnea, you should be followed by a doctor to monitor your progress and ensure that the treatments recommended for you are working. Talk to your doctor about the study findings or for answers to any questions you have about your medical conditions.

Source: Redolfi S, Arnulf I, Pottier M, Lajou J, Koskas I, Bradley TD, Similowski T. Attenuation of obstructive sleep apnea by compression stockings in subjects with venous insufficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov 1;184(9):1062-6.

Does a Sequential Compression Device Increase Risk of Falls? Recent Research on SCDS

A sequential compression device (or intermittent pneumatic compression device) is designed to improve blood and fluid flow in people with vein disorders or lymphedema. In many cases, doctors recommend these medical devices for use in post-surgical patients at increased risk of blood clots.

But are they safe, and do they increase the risk of falls? A 2008 editorial in the American Journal of Nursing suggested that patients who wear these devices and try to walk may trip over the bulky sleeves used to help circulate the body’s fluid.

To examine the issue of whether these devices pose a safety risk, researchers from the Department of Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania examined almost 5 years of patient safety data from a large, urban hospital. Their study noted how many SCDS falls occurred, compared to the number of days pneumatic compression users spent in the hospital. Overall, they looked at 3.562 falls that occurred at their hospital during the 5-year period.

The results? Using these devices failed to increase the risk of falls. Out of the 3,562 falls that took place, only 16 were related to using SCDS. Most of the falls occurred in a surgical ward and while patients were trying to get to the toilet. All but two of the falls were minor and required no medical intervention.

If you need to use a sequential compression device for lymphedema or other vein disorder, rest assured that the devices won’t contribute to an increased risk of falls and won’t increase the risk of a dangerous spill. However, it still pays to be careful, so here are a few tips to prevent injuries if you use these devices at home:

• Choose a clear area to use SCDS. Move items on the floor and around the chair or couch so you have a clear area in case you need to get up quickly. Remove rugs that could become bunched or otherwise impede your movement.
• Take the time to use the toilet before beginning to use a sequential device.
• Have a friend or family member nearby in case you need help getting up after using the device.
• Give yourself plenty of time to use the device. Don’t schedule appointments or activities right after a session with your SCDS; clear your schedule so you are free to move slowly and at your own pace.
• Keep a cane, walker, or scooter chair nearby if you need one, so you can access it immediately after using the device.
• Ask your doctor about tips for using these medical devices safely and for other tips on avoiding falls.

Travel Compression Socks: What to Look For Before Buying

Before you board the plane or gas up the car for a road trip, consider choosing a pair of travel compression socks, especially if you suffer from varicose veins, lymphedema, deep vein thrombosis, leg swelling, or general leg fatigue. The tight fibers of a travel compression sock help to promote blood and fluid flow in your feet and legs, reducing swelling and the risk of dangerous blood clots. In fact, your doctor may even insist that you wear travel compression stockings or support hose, especially during longer flights or car rides.

So, how to buy travel compression socks? Here are a few suggestions:

Consider length. Travel compression socks come in a variety of lengths – you can choose knee highs, thigh high stockings, or full-leg varieties. For people without major medical conditions who just want to combat the fatigue of long flights, knee highs purchased online or from the drugstore may prove supportive enough. For those with serious thrombotic conditions, like deep vein thrombosis, ask your doctor about tighter compression that may require a prescription.

What about washability? You’ll want stockings you can easily wash after wearing. Be sure that your stockings don’t require machine washing if you won’t have access to those facilities.

Color coordinate. People prone to leg swelling may want the extra support and compression of travel compression socks when sightseeing. In that case, you’ll want to be sure your socks match the majority of the travel outfits you’ve chosen. You’re in luck, though – many of today’s travel compression socks come in a variety of colors.

Here are a few travel compression socks that can help you stay stylish and swelling-free on your travels:

Ariva Travel Legwear – Womens Black

Thomas M. said: “Worked as promised on a 30 hour trip, 26 hours of flying. Still felt good at end. Used as regular socks on vacation. Washed and dried easily in hotel sink. Still felt good on return trip, after 4 or 5 washings.”

J.R. M. said: “A bought them for a trip to Europe after reading several medical articles about DVT. Wow! They are truly comfortable. No leg pain at all on the long flight. I now wear them on all flights no matter the length. I’m going to get a couple of more pair for auto trips and anything where I will be seated for long periods of time. Buying these is just the safe thing to do if you travel any at all.”

Mediven Travel Compression Socks – Medium Compression

Finally, here are some other suggestions that may help your travel compression socks work better:

• Drink up. Drinking plenty of water, juice, and other hydrating beverages during your flight or ride will be helpful, because dehydration can reduce blood volume and increase the likelihood of clots.
• Move around. When your seatbelt sign is off, try to get up regularly to walk the aisles or move around in your row. If you’re driving somewhere, stop regularly and take brisk walks to keep blood flowing.

Leg Lymphedema and Compression Stockings

Women undergoing treatment for vulvar cancer often experience the unpleasant side effect of lymphedema. In a December 2009 study, researchers from the United Kingdom suggest that using compression stockings can help alleviate leg lymphedema.

Lymphedema is severe swelling that occurs due to a blockage in the lymphatic system, part of the immune and circulatory system’s network of vessels that help remove fluids from the body. Because removing cancer from the vulvar area often requires removal of lymph vessels, too, fluid can’t drain properly, and accumulates in the body, causing significant swelling in an arm or leg.

A small study conducted at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom reported that evaluated whether women who’d undergone surgery for vulvar cancer experienced less leg lymphedema if they wore compression stockings.

Compared to women who didn’t wear the stockings, women who wore compression stockings after vulvar surgery had less fluid volume in their legs and had fewer symptoms of leg problems. The study, published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, did not find that compression stockings affected the rates of wound healing.

Because of their study findings, the researchers concluded that using compression stockings may be effective for reducing leg lymphedema in women who require vulvar surgery, although they say that more studies are needed to make specific conclusions.

Compression stockings for leg lymphedema:

• Sigvaris Pantyhose
• Sigvaris Thigh High Open Toe
• Jobst Relief Thigh Highs

Will you be undergoing surgery for vulvar cancer? Using compression stockings as a preventive measure may be one way to reduce your risk of leg lymphedema. Talk to your doctor about what level of compression you might require. Some name brand compression stockings often used to alleviate lymphedema include Mediven, Sigvaris, Juzo, and Jobst.

Compression Stockings after Stroke: New Research Says Compression Stockings Don’t Work

Stroke patients don’t benefit from wearing compression stockings, found a study in the most recent issue of the United Kingdom-based The Lancet journal.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that the risk of blood clots in stroke patients didn’t improve when they wore thigh high compression stockings. In addition, the researchers reported that 5 percent of patients developed ulcers, dead skin tissue, and blisters.

As a result of their findings, the study authors suggest reevaluating current recommendations that all stroke patients wear support hose after surgery.

Although this research indicates that compression stockings may not reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots and deep vein thrombosis, other research shows that compression garments are often improperly used, even by nursing staff and medical personnel.

Patients are often prescribed the wrong size stockings, they may be instructed to wear thigh high stockings when knee high varieties work just as well, and both medical personnel and patients may have trouble putting the stockings on the right way.

What’s the best brand to use? Compression stockings manufactured by Jobst, Juzo, Mediven, and Sigvaris, come with detailed instructions on how to use the legwear for best results.

Many studies have found that using compression stockings contributes to increased blood flow and reduces the risk of venous disorders. Although this Lancet study found that stroke patients don’t benefit, compression legwear may still help relieve aching, tired legs, reduce the risk of varicose veins and leg swelling, and cut the risk of blood clots during travel and after surgery – but only if they’re used properly.

Lymphedema Compression Stockings and You

The health condition lymphedema involves swelling in the arms and legs. When the lymphatic system in your body becomes blocked, fluid may have difficulty draining and circulating. As a result, the fluid has nowhere to go and collects, causing uncomfortable swelling. Although the condition has no cure, sometimes the swelling may be relieved with lymphedema compression stockings.

Lymphedema often develops after a person has surgery, injury, or infection. All of these situations can make it difficult for the lymphatic system to drain lymph fluid. Cancer, radiation treatment, and other diseases may also cause this lymphatic disorder.

One of the most common symptoms of lymphedema include swelling in the arm or leg (the fingers and toes may also swell). If you have this health problem, your arm or leg may feel heavy and tight and it may be difficult to move. If you have lymphedema, you may develop infections in the affected body part, and the skin in that area may become thickened and hard.

If you see a doctor about lymphedema swelling in the arm and leg, he or she may have you undergo tests such as MRI, radionuclide imaging, CT, and Doppler ultrasound.

To treat lymphedema, your doctor may recommend a variety of therapies, including exercise and massage. You may need to wrap your swollen body part with bandages to improve lymphatic drainage. Doctors also often recommend lymphedema compression stockings. These tight elastic stockings squeeze your arm or leg and make it easier for fluid to drain out of your body. Some common brands of compression stockings include Sigvaris, Mediven, Jobst, and Juzo. Compression stockings also help prevent swelling if you are prone to this health condition.

Lymphedema compression can make it less likely that your puffy arm or leg will become severely swollen.

mmHg Compression Stockings: What Do Compression Stocking Levels Mean?

Mmhg stands for millimeter of mercury, a unit of measuring pressure. When it comes to compression stockings, mmHg refers to how tightly the elastic medical compression stockings support the veins in the leg. The higher the mmHg number, the greater the graduated compression stocking will squeeze the patient’s leg.

mmHg compression stockings come in a variety of brands (such as Sigvaris, Mediven, Jobst, and Juzo), styles, and compression levels. Here is a list of compression stocking levels and who they’re used for:

8-15 mmHg compression stocking levels

Doctors typically recommend these stockings for people with aching, fatigued legs; pregnant women; or people with careers that have them on their feet a lot. You can buy 8 to 15 mmHg compression stockings over the counter.

15-20 mmHg compression stocking levels

This therapeutic version of compression stockings is often useful for people whose legs are prone to fatigue and swelling. Pregnant women, people with spider or varicose veins, or people with inherited circulatory problems may need to wear 15-20 mmHg compression stockings.

20-30 mmHg compression stocking levels

Patients with a lot of heaviness and swelling in the legs, mild varicose veins, varicose veins during pregnancy, or who’ve just undergone vein surgery wear 20 to 30 mmHg compression stockings.

30-40 mmHg compression stocking levels

Who wears 30 40 mmHg compression stocking levels? Patients prone to blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis), post-surgery patients, pregnant women with phlebitis, people with severe leg swelling and scars, stasis dermatitis sufferers, and those with lymphedema.

40-50 mmHg compression stocking levels

People with severe venous ulcers, severe circulatory problems, and lymphedema need to wear these medical grade 40 50 mmHg compression stocking levels.

50-60 mmHg compression stocking levels

People with severe lymphedema, who’ve undergone surgery for compression lymphedema, and severe post thrombotic syndrome need to wear 50 60 mmHg compression stocking levels.

Your doctor will help you decide which compression stocking level is best for you and your medical condition.

Varicose Legs and Compression Stockings

Bulging, painful varicose veins affect up to 25 percent of women. They’re unsightly, make standing on your feet difficult, and miniskirts are out of the question. For many women, though, suffering with varicose legs isn’t necessary. Here are some frequently asked questions about varicose vein treatment and compression stockings.

Why do varicose legs develop? What causes varicose veins?

The valves in your body’s system of veins help blood flow back to the upper body and prevent it from flowing backward toward the legs. When the valves weaken, though, blood can pool, causing the veins to expand and blue, lumpy knots known as varicose veins to develop.

Who gets varicose veins?

Heredity is a major factor in the development of varicose legs. People who spend a lot of time on their feet, pregnant women, those who fly extensively, and people who are overweight are also prone to varicose legs.

How bad can varicose legs get?

For many people, spider veins (precursor to varicose veins) or varicose veins don’t hurt – they’re just a cosmetic annoyance. For others, though, the veins can ache and make standing for any length of time difficult. In other cases, varicose legs could actually be an indicator of a more serious problem with the circulatory system.

How are varicose legs prevented?

There are a lot of easy ways that the average person can prevent varicose veins. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are key, since these two factors reduce the pressure on the legs and improve blood circulation.

Another varicose veins treatment: compression stockings. Some popular brands of compression stockings are Juzo, Jobst, Sigvaris, and Mediven. These stockings come in different strengths, or levels of compression. They work by gently squeezing the legs so blood can flow better.

Post Thrombotic Syndrome and Compression Stockings

Months or years after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a person may develop post thrombotic syndrome. Post thrombotic syndrome often occurs after a person takes blood thinners (also known as anticoagulants) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Compression stockings are one way doctors prevent post thrombotic syndrome.

How many people get post thrombotic syndrome?

The Vascular Disease Foundation reports that about one third of patients with DVT develop post thrombotic syndrome; other sources say 60 to 70% of patients with DVT develop post thrombotic syndrome. Post thrombotic syndrome is more common in people who had clots in the large veins of the pelvis or abdomen.

What causes post thrombotic syndrome?

Although blood thinners such as coumadin prevent new blood clots from forming, they don’t break up the existing clots. A person with post thrombotic syndrome has developed damage in the vein where the clot formed.

What are the symptoms of post thrombotic syndrome?

People with post thrombotic syndrome experience symptoms such as:

• Leg swelling
• Chronic pain
• Leg discoloration
• Leg ulcers and sores
• Fatigue

How is post thrombotic syndrome prevented?

In certain cases, DVT clots can be removed with a catheter. This type of treatment would prevent post thrombotic syndrome because it breaks up the clot, restores the person’s blood flow, and reduces the likelihood of damage to the vein valves. Using filters to catch blood clots (called vena cava filters) is another prevention method for post thrombotic syndrome.

Compression stockings and post thrombotic syndrome

People with DVT often wear compression stockings to prevent the development of post thrombotic syndrome. One 2004 study found that patients with DVT who wore knee high compression stockings (such as Mediven, Juzo, Jobst, or Sigvaris brands) had a 50 percent reduced risk of developing post thrombotic syndrome over 2 years.

Doctors recommended that DVT patients replace their compression stockings (the ones in the study provided 30-40 mmHg of pressure) every six months.

Compression Stockings Help Heal Leg Ulcers

Are you one of the 500,000 or more people in the United States who experience leg ulcers every year?

Leg ulcers in the lower part of the body often affect people with circulation problems, varicose veins, blood clots, or leg swelling.  These leg ulcer wounds are not just unsightly – they’re also prone to infection, burning, itching, and swelling.

If you’re one of those suffering from leg ulcers, using compression stockings could help your leg ulcers heal, say reviewers published in the January 2009 issue of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

People with leg ulcers, which may be caused by post thrombotic syndrome, who used compression stockings found their ulcers healed more quickly than those who didn’t use the support hose. Certain types of compression stockings also tended to be more effective at improving leg ulcers, especially those that contained elastic fibers as opposed to other materials.

Less pain may also be associated with using compression stockings for leg ulcers, the reviewers noted.

Keep in mind, though, that using compression stockings can be confusing and difficult for some people. The researchers noted that many people who used them in the studies dropped out or experienced side effects, such as skin problems and an increased risk of blood clots.

Your best bet when using compression stockings? First, talk to your doctor about using compression stockings and whether they’re right for you, based on your leg ulcer concerns. Next, if your doctor suggests compression stockings, make sure the compression stockings you buy fit properly. Using the wrong size compression stockings or using them incorrectly could add to your health problems. Finally, be sure to care for your compression stockings the right way so they continue to apply the proper amount of compression to your lower body.

Source: O’Meara S, et al. Compression for venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, January 2009.

Compression Stockings’ Surprising Benefits

Compression stockings don’t have the fashion cache of other types of legwear, but they bring some important benefits to the table. Because compression stockings improve leg circulation and support the venous system, they play an important role in preventing unsightly varicose veins. And for people with certain health conditions, compression stockings aren’t just helpful – they’re necessary.

So who can benefit from compression stockings? The answer may surprise you. Here’s a comprehensive list of common compression stocking wearers:

On Your Feet

Anyone in a work environment that leads to long hours on their feet can benefit from the support that compression stockings offer:

• healthcare workers
• bank tellers
• construction workers
• store clerks and retail management
• teachers

Compression stockings help people in these professions because staying on your feet for hours on end can cause leg swelling and varicose veins. Don’t let your career be ruined or interrupted by varicose vein treatment – use compression stockings daily instead.

On the Go

Travelers taking long flights or car, bus, or train trips may experience reduced blood flow in the legs. Reduced blood flow causes a problem because it could lead to dangerous, life-threatening clots.

Baby on Board

Compression stockings also benefit pregnant women. Pregnant women have added weight and blood volume that pushes against the veins in the leg, leading to circulation problems and varicose veins. Don’t let your post-pregnancy period be filled with varicose vein treatment. Compression stockings can alleviate tired, achy pregnancy legs.

Chronic Conditions

Patients with chronic conditions are who we usually think of when we think of who buys compression stockings. Compression stockings may benefit those with:

• arthritis
• diabetes
• venous insufficiency and other venous disorders
• varicose and spider veins
• blood clotting disorders, such as post thrombotic syndrome and deep vein thrombosis

After surgery, patients often use some varieties of compression stockings to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Those with chronic conditions may require prescription-strength stockings, but pregnant women, travelers, and those who work on their feet often use compression stockings that deliver less pressure. Some common brands of compression stockings include Juzo, Sigvaris, Mediven, and Jobst.