Compression stockings are used to treat disorders like varicose veins, venous ulcers, blood clots, and lymphedema. These stockings apply pressure on veins and tissues that are close to the skin. The pressure ensures that the amount of blood that the veins can carry is restricted. This prevents the veins from swelling beyond a limit. Since the pressure applied by these stockings is highest at the ankle and lesser towards the upper parts of the leg, the blood is forced back to the heart. They also apply pressure on the tissues below the skin. These tissues transfer the pressure to the blood which gets pumped into the capillaries that go into the deeper tissues of the leg.
Effect on Varicose veins Varicose veins are veins that cannot properly send blood to the heart because of the malfunctioning of the valves that are supposed to prevent the blood from flowing backwards. Veins of legs tend to be more susceptible to this condition because they have to withstand the pressure of standing and walking.
Compression stockings artificially reduce the diameter of the veins and the blood circulation is partially normalized.
DVT/PTS These stocking are also used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this case blood is forced into the deeper veins where the blood has clotted. This usually happens to passengers who travel for long periods in planes that do not have properly adjusted humidity levels. Low humidity leads to DVT. The condition is commonly referred to as 'economy class syndrome'. Often patients who have DVT develop Post Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS). This disorder can be prevented by the use of compression stockings. Thus patients with DVT are suggested to wear them for two years after they have had DVT.
Other Uses Compression stockings are worn by pregnant women too because their blood vessels are affected by pregnancy induced hormonal changes. This is because they produce more blood to ensure that the growing fetus gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs. These stockings are also prescribed for patients with lymphedema because they prevent the accumulation of lymph by preventing the fluid from seeping out of the capillaries.
It must be noted that these stockings are not similar to socks used by athletes to enhance performance. The pressure applied by these stockings is much higher and physician's prescriptions are required to purchase some types of compression stockings. The stockings are difficult to put on and require gloves to be worn on feet to reduce friction.
Posted by: Evelyn
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Our monthly Ezine Edition will be published as scheduled on September 1st. Subscribers will find a copy already in the archive.
This month our feature article is titled "Avoiding Influenza". We in no way support the global fear mongering about influenza perpetrated principally by those with vested interests. Nevertheless, various seasonal and novel influenza viruses are part of daily reality and it is appropriate that people be informed about how to avoid influenza, without any hype or absurd claims.
The anxiety increasing numbers of people are experiencing concerning influenza (the flu, of whatever type) is harmful and unnecessary. It is time to become informed and to take sensible and safe preventative measures, and then to relax. Worrying will not help. Nor will current vaccinations and pharmaceutical antivirals, which merely constitute unnecessary expense and risk.
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A CDC official report last month said what almost everyone must surely know: "Obesity rates in the U.S. have increased dramatically over the last 30 years, and obesity is now epidemic in the United States." This is a serious matter. Indeed, according to the CDC:
Approximately two thirds of U.S. adults and one fifth of U.S. children are obese or overweight. Being either obese or overweight increases the risk for many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and stroke). Reversing the U.S. obesity epidemic requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that uses policy and environmental change to transform communities into places that support and promote healthy lifestyle choices for all U.S. residents. Environmental factors (including lack of access to full-service grocery stores, increasing costs of healthy foods and the lower cost of unhealthy foods, and lack of access to safe places to play and exercise) all contribute to the increase in obesity rates by inhibiting or preventing healthy eating and active living behaviors. Recommended strategies and appropriate measurements are needed to assess the effectiveness of community initiatives to create environments that promote good nutrition and physical activity. (MMWR Vol. 58 / No. RR-7)
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Once again, the monthly Ezine edition will be published as scheduled on August 1st. Subscribers will find a copy aready in the archive.
The past two monthly editions have addressed some of the less-well-known problems associated with vaccinations. We much prefer to provide positive material that informs about how to actively maintain wellbeing and, when necessary, solve health-related problems by recommending safe and constructive actions. Sometimes we need to be helpful by being a little negative like when we warn of what not to do or what to avoid.
This month we have again followed the trend established over the past two months with a main article that warns about pharmaceutical drugs. The large and wealthy drug companies complain about costs and pretend to be your friends, while pointing to their "squeaky clean" ethics, scientific methods and powerful political allies. In reality they are simply about big business and they frequently get caught out conning you with deceitful practices and poisoning people with dangerous chemicals. They are right about their powerful allies though and that's why they keep getting away with the harms they perpetrate.
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Gordos.com - Este desorden, que se genera por una baja producción de hormonas tiroideas, puede tener distintas causas y síntomas, ningún grupo de edad está exento y la prevalencia aumenta con la edad. A qué prestar atención y cuándo consultar
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