Why Do I Need Compression Apparel?
Posted by B&F Medical Supplies on Jun 7th 2022
The demand for compression apparel has increased significantly in recent years. While, these days, compression apparel is more popular among athletes and sports professionals. It is commonly used for compression therapy by many patients who have undergone surgery or are suffering from certain conditions. Undoubtedly, it’s your choice whether to wear compression apparel or not. However, in many cases, it is recommended by doctors and medical professionals to wear compression apparel as it comes with varying advantages, such as improved blood flow and support.
Here are some of the conditions that make the use of compression apparel preferable for better recovery, stability, and healing:
Patients who need bed rest
If you are bedridden or advised by your doctor to take bed rest for a long period, then compression apparel can help you a lot. Especially if you have undergone surgery, you are more likely to develop blood clots in certain areas, such as the legs. Wearing compression apparel such as compression knee-highs and compression socks helps improve blood flow and also reduces the risk of clotting when you are taking prolonged bed rest.
Women who are pregnant
If you are expecting and have varicose veins or are at risk of developing them, then your doctor might recommend you to wear maternity compression stockings or socks. Research has shown that the use of compression apparel helps in improving blood flow, reducing swelling, and preventing the development of varicose veins or the condition of varicose veins from getting worse.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Have you been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis? It is the condition in which blood clotting occurs in a vein in the leg or pelvis. When this clotting happens, it is a quite painful experience for patients. In some cases, these blood clots can also lead to various complications, such as pulmonary embolism, if clots travel to the lungs. In such cases, wearing compression apparel, such as compression socks and compression stockings can help relieve pain and avoid complications.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema, many times, occur after cancer or cancer treatment. While there is no cure for lymphedema, a compression sleeve can greatly help manage the symptoms. If you are in the initial stage of lymphedema or have received complete decongestive therapy, you can wear compression arm sleeves. These sleeves are tighter at the bottom compared to the top to promote lymph flow up the arm toward the upper arm and armpit lymph nodes.
Is it safe to wear compression apparel daily?
Yes, it is safe to wear compression apparel daily. However, certain medical conditions can lead to some issues when compression apparel is worn daily for a prolonged period. For instance, if your heart functioning is compromised or you are suffering from a peripheral arterial disease that already reduces the blood flow in veins, then you should steer clear of compression stockings and other apparel.
If you have some doubts regarding the safe usage of compression apparel, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor before buying compression apparel online or from your nearby DME retail store.