Have you ever experienced swelling and discomfort in your legs and feet after a long working day? Well, you are not alone. Swelling, also known as edema, is a condition where excess fluid collects in the body tissues, causing the affected area to swell and causing discomfort. In fact, studies show that chronic edema affects approximately 20% of the adult population in the US and is often underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Compression stockings for edema, being one of the effective treatment options for edema, apply graduated pressure to the legs, promoting blood flow and reducing fluid buildup in the tissues. These pressure stockings for edema help to push excess fluid back into the bloodstream, reducing swelling and discomfort. In this blog, we will discuss how compression stockings for edema can help reduce swelling and provide long-term relief.
What Is Edema and What Causes It?
Edema is a condition characterized by swelling due to excess fluid being trapped in the body’s tissues. Although it can occur in any part of the body, it is most commonly found in the ankles, feet, and legs. Several factors can lead to edema, including issues with the heart, kidneys, or liver, allergic reactions, and prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Here are some health conditions that may cause edema:
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver problems from cirrhosis
- Venous insufficiency
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Allergic reactions
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- High salt intake
- Pregnancy
These conditions can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate fluid, leading to a buildup in the legs, ankles, feet, or even the abdomen. According to MedlinePlus, such symptoms often appear in patients with chronic illnesses and are part of the body’s broader response to compromised organ function. Here are some symptoms you will experience if you have edema.
- You may notice that the affected area appears larger than it did the previous day.
- You might experience difficulty walking if your legs, ankles, or feet are swollen.
- There may be a feeling of tightness in the swollen area.
- The swollen area looks stretched and shiny with mild pain.
Top 4 Benefits of Compression Stockings for Edema
Compression stockings for pedal edema are quite beneficial in reducing symptoms. They function by applying progressive pressure that is tighter at the ankle and gradually lessens as it progresses up the leg, promoting blood flow back to the heart. This technique also helps to prevent fluid accumulation, which causes edema. The following are the specific benefits of how compression stockings alleviate edema:
- Improve Blood Flow: Edema, or swelling, frequently happens when fluid seeps into the surrounding tissues from blood vessels. By gently squeezing the legs, compression stockings for edema promote blood flow upward from the feet and ankles towards the heart, improving blood circulation. This increased circulation helps to keep blood from accumulating in the lower extremities, which contributes significantly to edema.
- Graduated Compression to Reduce Fluid Accumulation: Some elastic stockings for edema include higher-grade compression, which means they are firmer at the ankle and gradually less tight as they go up the leg. The graded pressure improves blood flow and prevents fluid from accumulating in the tissues, hence reducing swelling in the legs and feet. These support stockings for edema are particularly intended to help blood flow higher and prevent it from accumulating in the lower legs.
- Reduce Swelling: Stockings for leg edema help reduce fluid accumulation by improving circulation. People suffering from conditions such as lymphedema, varicose veins, and post-surgical swellings can relieve the symptoms of swelling with the consistent use of compression stockings. Additionally, this can be particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic venous insufficiency, where weakened veins and valves contribute to swelling.
- Other Long-Term Health Benefits: Support stockings for edema are also advised for professionals whose jobs involve extended periods of sitting or standing, as well as travelers and flight crew. They are not just used to correct a problem. They support healthy veins and lower the likelihood of problems such as blood clots. The compression stocking can assist in reducing the swelling symptoms and give efficient support by preserving proper blood flow, whether you require it for everyday activities or to treat or relieve swelling symptoms from a specific condition.
