When patients visit us for vein health appointments, they often ask, “Do I really have to wear those compression hose?”
While we know it’s a tough pill to swallow, compression hose are actually very beneficial to your vein health and can help with treatment and prevention. Knowing this and keeping in mind that there are more stylish options out there, we think you are more likely to wear them.
The Health Benefits Of Compression Hose
Venous reflux is caused by increased pressure in the superficial veins in the legs. Compression hose helps counteract this effect by pushing in against the venous pressure that’s pushing out. This equalizes the effect, helping your veins work better at moving against gravity and getting blood back up to the heart.
Can I Wear The Hose I Got When I Was Hospitalized?
Oftentimes, patients will ask if it is okay to wear the white anti-embolism hose that they or a spouse wore during a long-term hospital stay. The short answer is no, but we’d like to explain the difference between those hose and the ones we can provide to you here in our office.
The hose given to patients who are bedridden for a long period of time are specifically designed for someone who is laying in bed, not someone who is still walking or active in other ways. The types of compression hose, stockings, and socks you should wear when you’re active and working to prevent or treat venous disease are graduated compression hose. These are tighter at the ankle and gradually ease the compression as they go up the leg.
By wearing compression hose on a regular basis as prescribed, they will help make your legs feel better and help prevent those varicose veins from getting worse.
