Can Compression Stockings Prevent Varicose Veins?
Most medical experts recommend wearing compression stockings as one of the first lines of defense against varicose veins. The stockings are worn all day, with the goal of gently and consistently adding pressure to your legs to help blood flow more easily. In 2001, a Swiss study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of using compression stockings during pregnancy as a method of preventing varicose veins. While researchers acknowledged that wearing the stockings did not prevent gestational varicose veins, they did find that the veins of women who wore the stockings were significantly less visible than those who did not. They also found that the women who wore the stockings reported significantly improved leg symptoms. Compression stockings can be found in a range of colors and styles, as well as strengths. When buying stockings, it’s important to ensure they fit well. Follow these steps before making your purchase: • Bring a tape measure so that either yourself or the pharmacist can
