為何要穿彈性褲襪人是直立動物,腿部靜脈為了要對抗地心引力將血液送回心臟,所以靜脈中每隔10~20公分有一個瓣膜,阻擋血液往低處回流,加上小腿肌肉群在運動時收縮,像幫浦般把血液往上壓,才不會讓血液聚積在下肢。
靜脈就像水管,如果閘門(瓣膜)出問題,或是水(血液)回流不佳,便會將下肢靜脈撐大,壓力增高造成靜脈曲張。
若是靜脈曲張還可忍受,不想動手術受罪,或是花錢做雷射,醫師建議,下列方法可以減緩和預防靜脈曲張惡化:
1.運動:尤其是健走,可以啟動小腿肌肉群,促進靜脈血液回流。
2.控制體重:減輕下半身負荷。
3.穿彈性襪:選擇彈性係數較高的彈性褲襪。一般至少要200~300丹(denier,彈性壓力指數)。每天早晨下床前,將雙腿抬高,穿上彈性襪,達到預防與阻止靜脈曲張持續惡化。 4.懷孕婦女可以穿特製彈性襪 有些女性會在產後因腹壓降低而使靜脈曲張減輕或消失,梅約醫學中心建議有靜脈曲張的孕婦,生產後先觀察三個月看看。
4.久站久坐記得動一動:若無法常走動,記得做足背伸直屈曲動作,讓小腿肌肉收縮幫助血液回流。
5.不翹二郎腿:這種姿勢會阻礙血液循環,加重靜脈曲張。
6.抬高下肢:每天睡前在床上將雙腿抬高超過心臟約10~15分鐘,或是睡覺時用枕頭墊高下肢,促進腿部血液回流。
哪些人較易得靜脈曲張(Varicose Vein)
根據臨床醫師估計,台灣約有25~40%女性、20%的男性患有下肢靜脈曲張。有些職業更是高危險群,台北市立萬芳醫院曾對文山區149位教職員調查發現,高達91%的受檢教職員有輕度到嚴重的靜脈曲張。
除了老師,容易有靜脈曲張的工作,還包括需要長時間站立的外科醫師、護士、髮型師、專櫃、電梯服務員、廚師、餐廳服務員、舉重選手,以及長時間坐著不動的作業員、銀行職員、美容師、牙醫師等等。
Why should I wear "support" stockings?
During a lifetime, over 70% of all women and over 50% of all men will develop varicose veins or similar venous disorder, for the reasons referred to above. 80% of varicosities in women occur during child bearing years. The wearing of graduated compression stockings not only relieves the pain and discomfort of varicose veins, leg fatigue, swelling, etc., but will help to prevent these problems from occurring. Therefore, it is better not to wait for the problem to occur, but to take measures to prevent it.
What does graduated compression hosiery do......?
It improves venous and lymphatic blood flow. It is designed to deliver a controlled amount of pressure which is greatest at the distal end (ankle) of the garment and gradually decreases towards the proximal (top) end of the stocking. This gradient pressure promotes better venous blood flow which in turn will control swelling, varicosities, leg fatigue, and other problematic leg conditions.
Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues. Veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can be recirculated. To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, while toned, elastic vein walls help blood return to your heart. Tiny one-way valves in your veins open as blood flows toward your heart then close to stop blood from flowing backward.
Varicose veins occur when the valves in your veins malfunction. As you get older your veins can lose elasticity, causing them to stretch. When this happens, blood that should be moving toward your heart may flow backward. Blood pools in your veins, and your veins enlarge and become varicose. The veins appear blue because they contain deoxygenated blood, which is in the process of being recirculated.
Some pregnant women develop varicose veins. Pregnancy increases the volume of blood in your body, but decreases the flow of blood from your legs to your pelvis. This circulatory change is designed to support the growing fetus, but it can produce an unfortunate side effect ? enlarged veins in your legs. Varicose veins may surface for the first time or may worsen during late pregnancy, when your uterus exerts greater pressure on the veins in your legs. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins located in and around the anus.
Anti-reflux valves lead the Veins have a tonic wall holding
blood toward the heart the blood back and preventing it from crossing
the wall
There's no way to completely prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle tone can reduce the risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones. To improve circulation and muscle tone, follow these tips:
- Exercise. Get your legs moving. Walking is a great way to encourage blood circulation in your legs. Your doctor can recommend an appropriate activity level for you.
- Control your weight. Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off your veins.
- Watch what you wear. Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more, which is better for your veins. Don't wear tight clothes around your waist, legs or groin. Tight panty-leg girdles, for instance, can restrict circulation.
- Elevate your legs. To improve venous circulation, take several short breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. For example, lie down with your legs resting on three or four pillows.
- Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow. Try to move around at least every 30 minutes.
- Don't sit with your legs crossed. This position can aggravate circulation problems.
When you start wearing compression hosiery, you may immediately notice
that the "squeeze" feels refreshing and stimulating. You may find that you can walk
or stand in greater comfort than before. Compression stockings help the blood in
your veins to flow in the right direction - back toward your heart.