4 Reasons to Wear Compression Socks for Edema

Edema is a type of swelling caused by fluid retention that is most common in the arms and legs. It can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and painful, and may affect anyone at any age. Edema can get in the way of your daily life and comfort, making people who struggle with it seek out any relief and remedy they can find. 

The good news is that compression socks are a simple, accessible way to manage your edema and help you take control of your health and comfort. Here is a rundown on edema and compression socks, and how these compressive garments can benefit your life.

What Is Edema?

Edema is swelling caused by fluid building up in your tissues. It can happen anywhere on your body but is most common in the feet, legs, and ankles. There are many different conditions that can lead to edema which makes it very common and highly variable in severity. 

Symptoms of Edema

Here are some telltale signs that indicate you may be suffering from edema:

• An area of your body is bigger than usual.
• The skin in the affected area looks stretched and shiny.
• When the skin is pressed down, a mark or indentation remains.
• You’re experiencing mild pain or discomfort in the affected area.
• You have a feeling of tightness or pressure that accompanies these symptoms.

Conditions That May Lead to Edema

Edema can be caused by benign lifestyle factors like airplane travel or by more concerning health conditions such as thyroid issues. So, if you notice swelling it’s worth getting it checked by a doctor to rule out anything serious. Here are some common conditions that can lead to edema:

• Pregnancy: The uterus can put pressure on your circulatory system, causing edema in your legs.
• Side effects from medication: These include blood pressure medications, certain anti-inflammatories, some steroids, estrogen, and some diabetes medications.
• High-salt diet: Excess sodium in the diet can cause water retention leading to edema.
• Acute injury or illness: Trauma to the affected area, allergies, infection, burns, or clots can lead to edema.
• Chronic illnesses: These include kidney disease, liver disease, congestive heart failure, and conditions affecting the lymphatic system such as lymphedema. 
• Lifestyle: Spending long hours on your feet at work or frequent airplane travel can cause swelling, especially in the legs.

How Do Compression Socks Help with Edema? 

Swelling of the legs and feet can be uncomfortable, painful, or leave you feeling self-conscious. Thankfully, compression socks are a simple and effective solution to help you manage your edema at home.

Compression socks work by applying gentle, even pressure to the lower legs and feet. Graduated compression means that the socks are tightest at the foot and slowly become less firm up toward the knee. The compression of these socks helps to promote healthy blood flow in your legs which can reduce edema symptoms, boost energy, and prevent dangerous clotting. Here are the top four benefits you can expect from a great pair of compression socks for edema:

1. Reduce Swelling

By applying even compression to your feet, ankles, and lower legs, compression socks can prevent the excess fluid from pooling which causes swelling. If you put your compression socks on first thing in the morning, they can help reduce swelling before you’ve even started walking around for the day.

2. Boost Your Circulation

Compression socks help to support your vascular system, making it easier for your body to pump blood back up to the heart. This boost in circulation can also help reduce the risk of developing potentially dangerous blood clots or deep vein thrombosis in your legs.

3. Improve Your Comfort

Legs that are swollen can feel tired, heavy, and uncomfortable. By reducing swelling and boosting circulation, your legs and feet will feel more energized. This makes it easier to tackle those long days at work or traveling without being controlled by your edema.

4. Convenient—and Stylish!

Socks are already part of your everyday wardrobe, so simply switching to compression socks is a quick and easy way to find some relief from your edema. They’re also compact, easy to travel with, and relatively inexpensive, making them a truly accessible option.

Plus, at Crazy Compression, we believe supporting your health and comfort shouldn’t mean sacrificing style! Our compression socks are made with high-quality materials and design features that give you all the support your aching legs need, and they come in a range of funky patterns and colors that will brighten everyone’s day. No matter how unhappy your legs feel in the morning, our socks will put a smile on your face!

The Best Compression Socks for Edema

If you’ve decided to try compression socks for your edema, then Crazy Compression is here to help you find some welcome relief. Crazy Compression makes graduated compression socks for both men and women, and we even have a wide-calf range that’s designed with the same phenomenal engineering as our traditional line. Plus, our huge variety of styles and colors means that there’s a pair of compression socks for any occasion, body type, or personality!

Discover the power of compression socks for edema with Crazy Compression, and take control of your daily health and comfort.