Stop being uncomfortable

Swelling in your feet and ankles can happen when the valves that keep blood from flowing backward and pooling in your lower legs are damaged. This can cause fluid to collect in your lower legs, a condition known as edema.

Leg edema and the resulting swelling can cause pain, numbness and fatigue, so it is important to treat it right away. A common treatment is diuretic medication [1,2]. Diuretics, also known as water pills, are a type of prescription medicine that makes your kidneys get rid of more water and sodium than normal, which can reduce edema.

However, while water pills are the standard treatment for people with swelling triggered by an unknown cause, they only tend to be effective in people with chronic kidney disease [1,3]. Diuretics also must be used carefully because getting rid of too much fluid too quickly can lower blood pressure and weaken kidney function [4].

While water pills are only effective at getting rid of excess fluid once it has already collected in the legs of people with certain conditions, graduated compression socks are effective at preventing and treating any leg swelling [5-7]. This is because graduated compression socks work to correct the root cause of the swelling – the pooling of blood in your legs. Graduated compression socks apply mild pressure to the legs to keep blood flowing in the right direction in your veins – back to the heart.

Not all compression socks are the same, though. SmoothToe® brand graduated compression socks have been used at the Mayo Clinic for their comfort and effectiveness for many years.

SmoothToe® compression socks don’t have pressure points that can lead to skin breakdown and infection. The robust CoolMax® stitching works to keep your feet dry. Plus the unique design provides non-constricting comfort.

And finally, the unique 4-way stretch means that SmoothToe® can be worn comfortably by people with larger calf muscles, with your normal shoe size.

So, if you want to stop tired, swollen feet and aching legs without the risks associated with taking water pills, visit http://www.swollenfeet.org/travel to order your FREE PAIR of SmoothToe® Energizing Socks with graduated compression.

References:

1. Ely JW, Osheroff JA, Cambliss ML, et al. Approach to leg edema of unclear etiology. J Am Board Fam Med. 2006;19:148-160.
2. O’Brien JG, Chennubhotla SA, Chennubhotla RV. Treatment of edema. Am Fam Physician. 2005;7:2111-2118.
3. Mohler ER III. With heavy steps: diagnosing leg edema. J Fam Pract. 2008 April. http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=6235. Accessed November 25, 2010.
4. Rose BD. Patient Information: Edema (swelling). Up To Date. 2010 May. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~LPsNmdaM.7Ma9P&source=see_link. Updated May 8, 2009. Accessed November 25, 2010.
5. Douglas WS, Simpson NB. Guidelines for the management of chronic venous leg ulceration. Report of a multidisciplinary workshop. Br J Dermatol. 1995;132(3):446-452.
6. Reilly DT, Wolfe JHN. The Swollen Leg. Br Med J. 1991;303:1462-1465.
7. Partsch H, Winiger J, Lun B. Compression stockings reduce occupational leg swelling. Dermatol Surg. 2004;30(5):737-743.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }