What to do if your feet hurt and swell after work?
Varicose legs, valve insufficiency and other vein diseases can occur for a variety of reasons, but they often develop in people in certain professions. Dentists, salespeople, teachers, hairdressers, stewardesses and those professionals whose work involves prolonged standing are at risk. This is because blood stagnates in the legs, leading to the development of venous hypertension and chronic vein insufficiency.
Personalized E-mail newsletter
2 times a month you will receive medical recommendations of specialists and announcement of new articles from Lauma Medical
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is a condition in which the vessels of the legs (veins) cannot fully perform their work. In normal conditions, blood rises from the bottom to the top due to active contractions of the lower leg muscles, and its return flow is prevented by special valves.
If a person is constantly standing, the muscles of the lower legs are inactive, and gravity prevents blood from moving to the heart. Fluid accumulates in the veins and presses on the walls of the valves, breaking their closure. Over time, the blood begins to move in the opposite direction - from top to bottom and from deep veins to superficial veins. This creates reflux, which further aggravates chronic venous insufficiency and leads to vein dilation.
If a person is constantly standing, the muscles of the lower legs are inactive, and gravity prevents blood from moving to the heart. Fluid accumulates in the veins and presses on the walls of the valves, breaking their closure. Over time, the blood begins to move in the opposite direction - from top to bottom and from deep veins to superficial veins. This creates reflux, which further aggravates chronic venous insufficiency and leads to vein dilation.
How does CVI manifest itself?
Chronic venous insufficiency can manifest itself with a variety of symptoms. For convenience, phlebologists and vascular surgeons use a special CEAP classification, which includes seven classes:
- C0 - no visible signs of vascular disease;
- C1 - vascular stars and/or venous mesh appear on the legs;
- C2 - veins become dilated, twisted (more often in the lower legs);
- C3 - legs swell;
- C4 - leg skin thickens, changes color, eczema may develop;
- C5 - healed trophic ulcer is defined;
- C6 - trophic ulcer is in active form.
What should you do if your feet start to hurt and swell?
If after working (standing for a long time), your legs start to ache and swell, cramps occur in your calves at night, and veins are already visible to the naked eye, you should consult a phlebologist. Usually such symptoms indicate CEAP class 3-4 CVI and require wearing compression hosiery and taking venotonics.
How to choose the right medical compression hosiery?
Medical socks of the second compression class are used for varicose veins of the lower legs, swelling and pain syndrome, night cramps. They exert a graduated pressure on the legs - 23-32 mm Hg. and perfectly cope with more pronounced manifestations of CVI.
There are also important individual characteristics of the person. For example, with excessive sweating of the feet, deformation of fingers or sensitive skin, the best option is medical compression socks with cotton without a toe. They are especially loved by men and women who wear open shoes.
In terms of composition, such socks differ from ordinary compression underwear. They are made of:
This material does not irritate the skin and does not cause allergies, as organic cotton (bio-cotton) is grown without the use of fertilizers and chemicals and is 100% environmentally friendly raw materials.
There are also important individual characteristics of the person. For example, with excessive sweating of the feet, deformation of fingers or sensitive skin, the best option is medical compression socks with cotton without a toe. They are especially loved by men and women who wear open shoes.
In terms of composition, such socks differ from ordinary compression underwear. They are made of:
- cotton (60%);
- nylon (5%);
- Lycra (35%).
This material does not irritate the skin and does not cause allergies, as organic cotton (bio-cotton) is grown without the use of fertilizers and chemicals and is 100% environmentally friendly raw materials.
Lauma Medical cotton toe-less compression socks are the best non-medical treatment for moderate CVI for men and women who have to be on their feet for long periods of time
Lauma Medical cotton toe-less compression socks are the best non-medical treatment for moderate CVI for men and women who have to be on their feet for long periods of time