Another recommendation from your physician may be to wear compression
stockings. So what are they? What do they do?
Compression stockings are extremely tight garments similar to pantyhose that are worn for a variety of medical and athletic reasons. They are not, in general, attractive - but that is starting to change! Many companies like Juzo and RejuvaHealth have funky and fun stockings in patterns and colors. They also have more "manly" options now as well, since more people beyond the 85 and older crowd are realizing the benefit of wearing them. Here's what they do and why they are worn:
1. To help with pain associated varicose veins
2. Triathletes and long distance runners wear them to recover from races and improve circulation
3. They are worn to prevent blood clots by improving blood flow in the legs
4. To reduce fluid retention in the lower limbs, especially with pregnant women
5. Compression stockings reduce blood pooling, thus increasing the blood return to the heart (and other organs), and hopefully reducing symptoms of POTS and other forms of dysautonomia.
There are a number of options for both men and women. Most POTS/dysautonomia physicians and research support the use of full length, closed toe stockings to get the most benefit and increase blood pressure (by preventing pooling). If compression socks or thigh highs are worn, blood can pool right above the tops of them. Some people experience abdominal pooling as well, and the full length hose will hopefully help prevent that as well. If abdominal pooling is severe, an abdominal binder may be recommended.
There are also a variety of pressure options,
which you should discuss with your physician.
Most online retailers have a chart with sizing
and pressure, and where you need to
measure to obtain the correct fit.
There are 4 main compression levels which are measured in
millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The higher the numbers,
the higher the compression:
*8-15mmHg: mild compression - great for tired, aching legs, very mild swelling
*15-20mmHg: moderate compression - mild swelling, mild varicose veins, pregnancy
*20-30mmHg: firm compression - moderate swelling, edema, moderate varicose veins
*30-40mmHg: x-firm compression - severe swelling, edema, severe varicose veins
Compression hose can also get very expensive. The least expensive we have come across online were in the $20-$25 range for full length at Bright Life Direct and RejuvaHealth. The Juzo soft are the other end, at $110 for bright colors, hand dyed, but much softer and higher quality.
There are also aids to put and take off stockings, as they can be challenging
because of how tight they are, and can leave someone exhausted after
yanking them on, especially if you have to put them on alone. Pictured to the
right is an "Easy Roll" stocking donner.
There are many, many options out there! Consult with your physician and
find the right pair for you. Here are a few medical journal articles on the
effectiveness of compression stockings:
1. Compression garments as countermeasures to orthostatic intolerance.
Platts SH, Tuxhorn JA, Ribeiro LC, Stenger MB, Lee SM, Meck JV.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2009 May;80(5):437-42.
PMID:19456003
2. Are compression stockings an effective treatment for orthostatic presyncope?
Protheroe CL, Dikareva A, Menon C, Claydon VE.
PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e28193. Epub 2011 Dec 16.
PMID: 22194814
3. Update in the treatment of neurally-mediated syncope.
Maggi R, Brignole M.
Minerva Med. 2007 Oct;98(5):503-9. Review.
PMID: 18043560
4. Metabolic consequences of garments worn to protect against post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance.
Lee SM, Guined JR, Brown AK, Stenger MB, Platts SH.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2011 Jun;82(6):648-53.
PMID: 21702317
5. The effectiveness of compression garments and lower limb exercise on post-exercise blood pressure regulation in orthostatically intolerant athletes.
Privett SE, George KP, Whyte GP, Cable NT.
Clin J Sport Med. 2010 Sep;20(5):362-7.
PMID: 20818194
Written by Claire Martin, President of Dysautonomia SOS.
Compression Stockings Unraveled
