As a diabetic, you know the importance of wearing socks and keeping your feet clean and protected. You've probably heard of compression socks and may be wondering if they're good for you. You might also be wondering, what exactly are compression socks and how do they work? In our post, we'll discuss what compression is, how compression socks work, and the benefits of wearing compression socks for people with diabetes.
Why feet?
For people with diabetes, the feet are the window to your health. Diabetes can cause nerve damage, called peripheral neuropathy, that usually affects the feet.
When you have diabetes, your body doesn't produce enough insulin, an important hormone that helps convert sugar into energy. When the body doesn't produce enough insulin, it's hard for sugar to get into cells and produce energy. Excess sugar can collect in the blood.
With diabetes, excess sugar in the blood interferes with circulation throughout the body. Without proper circulation, the inner layer of the nerve wears down. This occurs most often in the feet, as the body has to pump blood all the way to the tips of our toes, where it travels back to the heart.
Nerve damage in the feet can cause various problems:
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You can't feel a cut or pain.
- Wounds that take a long time to heal can lead to infection.
- Impaired balance may result in fall injury.
- People with other health complications are at high risk for amputation.
- Find the right person
- Enter, diabetic socks.
Diabetic socks are designed with fewer seams. There are several reasons for this. Fewer seams means minimal friction. Friction is to be avoided as it can cause pressure points and increase the risk of cuts or blisters. Less friction also means blood can circulate more freely in the body.
Because they are at higher risk for foot wound infections, people with diabetes need to be especially careful when keeping their feet dry. Wet feet are a breeding ground for bacteria to grow in wounds and cause infection.
Diabetic socks are made of moisture-wicking material to help keep your feet dry. This could be a mix of wool, cotton or synthetic materials.
On the other hand, loose socks are more likely to move around and cause friction.
Health is especially important for people with diabetes who have poor circulation and swollen feet or legs. In this case, compression socks may be recommended. These are tight socks that promote blood flow.
Compression stockings should not be too tight, so as not to affect blood circulation. However, because they are more elastic than other socks, compression socks promote blood flow by gently squeezing the legs.
Diabetic Compression Stockings: A Guide to Helping You Choose the Best Pair
take care of your feet
Many people with diabetes do not need compression stockings. But if they are recommended, putting them first in the morning is a key factor.
"Put on compression stockings when your legs are elevated because the blood is already circulating through your legs."
Once you get up and start exercising, your body has a hard time circulating blood between your feet.
Once these socks are on, let them wear all day.
Finally, don't use hot water when washing your feet. Moisturize daily with lotion.
This can cause moisture to get trapped in nooks and crannies, which is not what you want.
If you have diabetes but are not yet familiar with your feet, learn about them and all your sock options.
What is compression and how does it work?
Compression promotes better health by helping your body circulate better. Your blood is pumped by your heart throughout your body and back to your heart again. Once blood reaches your feet and legs, your body naturally defies gravity in an attempt to move blood back to your heart. Compression applies pressure at specific points to help move blood back to the heart. You may be familiar with common poor circulation problems, such as cold feet, varicose veins, or something more serious. Compression helps relieve these symptoms and prevents them from getting worse by improving circulation. When purchasing compression, make sure it is graded medical-grade compression so that you get the most benefit. Gradient compression socks apply the greatest amount of compression at the ankle and taper off as the leg moves up. This helps blood flow back to your heart for better circulation. Improved circulation can also relieve leg fatigue and pain, leg and foot soreness, prevent varicose and spider veins, and more serious venous diseases.
How does compression help diabetes?
You may experience some common symptoms associated with diabetes. One symptom, diabetic neuropathy, is the loss of feeling in your feet. This is the result of damage to nerves and blood vessels. This means your feet won't feel hot, cold, sore, cut or blistered. This can be a serious problem for people with diabetes, as any cuts or ulcers can quickly turn into a serious infection. Compression stockings can help keep your feet clean and protected, while also promoting leg health. Many diabetic compression stockings are made with non-irritating seams to prevent blisters. They also improve circulation in the feet and legs, which will help any wounds or sores heal faster. Some diabetic compression stockings are made with moisture-wicking or antibacterial fibers that help keep your feet clean and eliminate any germs.
Another common symptom of diabetes is poor blood flow. Due to poor circulation, many people with diabetes may develop peripheral vascular disease, venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or other venous disease. If you have poor circulation, any cuts or ulcers will take longer to heal properly. This can become a very serious problem for people with diabetes. People with diabetes are also at higher risk of developing DVT. High glucose levels can lead to dehydration. Dehydration thickens the blood and can lead to DVT, which can be very serious. Because compression stockings help open the valves in the legs for blood flow, they help prevent DVT. Wearing a compression pack can also help prevent any other venous disease from developing or getting worse.
Some people with diabetes experience uncomfortable swelling in their feet and legs due to poor circulation. Compression stockings improve blood circulation, which reduces swelling and discomfort. Wearing a compression garment throughout the day can help prevent leg swelling, pain, and keep your legs and feet active and comfortable throughout the day.