Nighttime Compression Garments, Lymphedema Night Garments
Sleeping In Compression Stockings: Should You Wear Compression Stockings To Bed
Can You Wear Compression Socks At Night, or Should You Wear Compression Stockings To Bed
We are often asked if you can wear compression socks at night, or about sleeping in compression stockings. The simple answer to questions such as these is that "it is generally not recommended to wear compression socks at night". While the harm of wearing compression stockings at night may not be readily apparent, there are several very good reasons for not sleeping in compression stockings. Of course you should check with your healthcare provider regarding their thoughts concerning your individual situation.
The basis for our answer lies in the key differences between daytime gradient medical compression stockings (and compression arm sleeves) compared to nighttime compression garments that were specially designed for nighttime wear or during periods of rest or low activity.
Types Of Compression Garments: Daytime vs Nighttime Compression Garments
What Are Daytime Arm Compression Sleeves / Medical Compression Stockings
Arm compression sleeves and graduated compression stockings are primarily designed for daytime use, and it is not generally recommended that you wear your compression sleeve or medical compression stockings at night while sleeping. Compression sleeves and compression stockings are designed to work against gravity while standing, when your body needs external help to promote fluid flow upwards.
A compression arm sleeve (lymphedema sleeve) is designed to provide graduated pressure (compression) to your arm for managing lymphedema. Graduated compression stockings similarly provide gradient compression to your legs for managing lymphedema and venous disease. Graduated pressure, also commonly referred to as gradient pressure, means that the compression sleeve or compression stocking is tighter at the bottom (at the wrist or ankle) and becomes gradually looser toward the upper end of the arm or leg.
This design of a daytime arm compression sleeve or medical compression stockings therefore creates external pressure that is greater at your wrist or ankle and decreases upwards along the length of your limb, promoting the flow of lymph fluid and venous return up and out of your arm and legs. The external pressure provided by the compression sleeve or compression stockings also helps to prevent further build-up of lymph fluid or pooling of blood which causes swelling.
These compression sleeves and compression stockings are also designed to work on the concept of resting and working pressure. Resting pressure is the force that the compression sleeves and stockings apply to your limb while the muscles are relaxed, while working pressure is a higher force that is created when your arm and leg muscles are moving. The interaction of working and resting pressure creates a pump-like reaction that helps promote the movement of lymph fluid and venous return (blood) in your arms and legs.
Can I Wear A Compression Sleeve Or Compression Stockings For Edema All Day
Yes, you can safely wear your daytime arm compression sleeve or medical compression stockings all day to effectively manage lymphedema or venous disease. While you will typically be wearing your graduated compression garments 8 to 12 hours each day to provide needed compression and to manage swelling, there are some best practice guidelines that should be followed for wearing your compression sleeves and stockings:
- Practice skin care: Proper skin care begins with daily washing and hydration. After clensing your skin, it is recommended that you apply lotion or cream to help keep your skin moisturized.
- Take breaks: Loosen or remove your compression garments every few hours to let your skin breathe and avoid circulation issues. The ideal time for removing your compression sleeve or stockings is during an afternoon catnap or rest period.
- Listen to your body: If you experience numbness, tingling, skin discoloration, or pain, loosen or remove your compression garments as they may be restricting circulation.
The above are only some general guidelines to follow, and your healthcare provider can provide you with specific recommendations for wearing your compression garments during the day.
Why Should You Not Wear Compression Socks At Night
Wearing your arm compression sleeve or medical compression stockings overnight while lying down is not generally recommended. Due to their design, the graduated pressure provided by compression arm sleeves and compression stockings is unneeded while lying (when gravity is not an issue) and they may in fact restrict circulation or create pressure points along the length of your limb, especially if the compression sleeves or stockings slip or bunch up, which can actually restrict circulation and ultimately worsen your swelling.
Additionally, your skin needs time to breathe and relax from the constant pressure and external force that your lymphedema sleeve or medical compression stockings are creating on your arms and legs while wearing them throughout the day. Taking time off from wearing compression sleeves for arms and compression stockings at night or during periods of rest or low activity will actually provide your skin with the break that it needs to avoid skin irritation, and also reduces the risk of fungal infections and rashes.
What If I Wear Lymphedema Wraps Or A Compression Wrap For Venous Disease
Compression arm wraps and compression leg wraps for lymphedema and venous disease follow the same basic principles as compression arm sleeves (lymphedema sleeves) and graduated compression stockings, having been designed to provide gradient pressure (compression) to your arms and legs.
Similar to compression arm sleeves (lymphedema sleeves) and graduated compression stockings, you should never sleep in your compression wrap unless you loosen the adjustable Velcro bands first before sleeping, lying down or resting for extended periods. Since compression wraps are designed to be easily self-adjustable, you can wear a compression wrap while you sleep, simply by loosening the adjustable bands. Wearing a compression wrap while lying down without loosening the bands can actually provide too much compression when it is not needed, which may restrict circulation and can ultimately worsen the swelling in your arms or legs.
Nighttime Compression Garments
In cases where your healthcare provider recommends the need for continuous, around the clock compression, there are specialized night compression garments that are designed specifically for nighttime wear and during periods of rest or low activity.
Unlike firm fitting daytime compression garments that are designed to provide gradient pressure to actively promote the flow of fluid out of affected areas, non-elasticized nighttime compression garments are designed to be looser, bulkier and provide gentler even compression that helps prevent fluid from reaccumulating and therefore maintain your swelling while sleeping or during periods of rest.
By wearing night-time compression garments for lymphedema, daytime compression bandaging time can also be reduced, and it can be easier to apply your daytime lymphedema garments, wraps, and sleeves.
What are night garments for lymphedema
Nighttime lymphedema garments are specially designed for use while sleeping or during periods of rest or low activity. Nighttime compression garments are designed to be larger and bulkier, allowing them to fit a little looser than daytime compression sleeves. Looser, less restrictive and made with special moisture-wicking fabric, nighttime compression garments are breathable and more comfortable to wear than daytime compression arm sleeves and compression stockings.
Typically made with foam and padded materials, the nighttime compression garments are soft to wear and provide continuous gentle pressure to your arm or legs. These night wear lymphedema compression garments also use chipped foam to provide a gentle, massaging compression while you sleep that helps soften fibrotic tissue. Designed with channeling, nighttime compression garments promote fluid flow and help prevent fluid re-accumulation.
Key Features Of Night Compression Garments
Some of the key features of nighttime compression garments include:
- Breathable cooling fabrics: Moisture-wicking fabrics help dissipate heat to prevent sweating and promote dry wearing comfort while sleeping
- Soft quilted out shell design: Thick, padded quilt outer shells offer comfort and flexible movement to aid sleeping
- Padded foam inner construction: more comfortable to wear while creating a gentle micro-massage effect that targets hardened fibrotic tissue and helps stimulate lymph flow
- Anatomical fit: Designed to fit anatomical structures of your arm and hands to enhance wearing comfort
- Channeled structure: helps promote the flow of lymph fluid out of your arm
- Gentle compression: Lower pressure prevents construction and allows skin to recover
Popular Brands Of Night-time Compression Garments For Lymphedema
Some of the more popular brands of night compression garments that we offer includes:
CircAid Profile nighttime compression garments
JoviPak nighttime compression garments
Juzo Night lymphedema night garments for arm
Sigvaris Chipsleeve nighttime compression garments
Solaris Tribute Wrap, TributeNight custom, and Caresia nighttime compression garments
For more information about our night-time compression garments for lymphedema, or daytime compression wraps, medical compression stockings, and compression sleeves, please call (800) 700-1032, or e-mail: info@bandagesplus.com.
About Bandages Plus
Founded in 1992 by a lymphedema specialist to provide products to patients, therapists, and hospitals, Bandages Plus is now one of the nation's leading suppliers of lymphedema products, compression stockings for venous insufficiency, compression stockings for varicose veins and vein disease, and much more! Located in Miami, Florida, we ship products to hospitals, healthcare facilities and customers across the U.S. We are also a Certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VSOB).
Thousands of Healthcare Products For Lymphedema, Venous Disease And Post-Surgery
In addition to the Solaris Tribute Wrap night-time compression garments for lymphedema, we also have a large selection of bandaging supplies, lymphedema shoes and boots, compression garments, wound care supplies, and skin care supplies for the treatment of lymphedema, edema, varicose veins, venous disease, post-operative procedures, and more!
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