Chronic Venous Disorders (CVD) results in a deficient venous circulation. A deficient circulation means that blood is not able to be pumped back to the heart in an efficient manner. As a result, blood tends to pool in the veins. People with CVD usually complain of symptoms like tired, aching or swollen legs. This disorder can also lead to varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and leg ulcers.
Some signs and symptoms of Chronic Venous Disorder include:
- Swollen ankles and leg especially at the end of the day
- Heaviness and tension in the legs
- Leg pain or leg cramps
- Skin inflammation and skin problems
- Leg ulcer or open wound near the ankle
- Spider veins and varicose veins
- Redness, warmth or pain in the leg
The first recommendation when you have any of these symptoms is to talk with our pharmacist or your doctor to find out if compression therapy might help with your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse.
Compression therapy helps to prevent further damage to the blood vessels. It can also relieve some of the symptoms of the disease. As chronic venous disorder is usually progressive, stopping more damage to the veins is always a good idea.
Graduated compression acts as a layer of muscle to gently compress the veins and enable the open valves in the vein to come together. As a result, the pooling of blood in the veins is reduced and more blood is pumped back to get enriched with the required oxygen and nutrients. They work best with daily use.
At the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Lakeshore road, we carry the SIGVARIS brand of compression stockings. The amount of pressure they apply to your legs is graduated throughout the stocking to give the best result. Another plus is that the individual yarns are double covered to increase comfort and durability. Compression socks come in a variety of strengths, fibers and style to match different lifestyles. The strengths range from over-the-counter stockings to higher strengths that might require a prescription. We also have graduated diabetic socks in stock. Talk to us about available options and also discuss exercises that can help with circulation.
For other ways to keep your legs healthy, try these tips:
- Exercise regularly. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga, gymnastics and biking can improve circulation.
- Avoid sitting or standing for a long time. If you are travelling, consider using compression therapy during your travel to protect your legs.
- Avoid extended exposure to heat (for example, hot baths, sauna) as this can open up your veins and increase swelling
- Control your weight. Talk to us about the ideal weight range for your height.
- Keep your legs elevated to help with circulation.
I hope these tips help you or someone you know! Let us know in the comments section below and feel free to share. Get in touch at 778-477-3811.
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