Spider and Varicose Veins - Oh My!
By Bob Elliott of EASTERN SHORE PHARMACY
on Jobst® Compression Stockings

Are you starting to see “spider veins” in your legs? Or even “varicose veins”? These are types of vein problems that affect both men and women and are more likely to occur the older we age.
Spider veins are a common minor problem. These are small red or purplish dilated end vessels.
Although unattractive, they pose no harm. Other venous problems may cause leg discomfort, leg swelling, and in severe cases skin breakdown. Varicose veins occur when the walls of a vein are weak, allowing the vein to bulge and twist. When veins continually over-expand, the valves fail to close properly. Venous blood then falls backwards, putting more pressure on the valves below.
Eventually these valves also may weaken and pooling or venous congestion results while standing or sitting. Blood clots are more serious. A blood clot in a deep vein (DVT) most often occurs near a venous valve and can permanently damage the vein wall and valve. Damage, scarring or fibrosis to the vein wall and valve cause them to become incompetent, resulting in reflux (backward) flow of blood and venous congestion. Compression stockings can help by
providing gradient compression to the leg. Gradient compression squeezes the leg, most tightly at the ankle and gradually decreasing compression up the leg. While a complete understanding of precisely how compression works remains unknown, probably the most beneficial effects are on the capillaries and tissue spaces. Compression is believed to increase the pressure in the tissues
beneath the skin, reducing excess leakage of fluid from the capillaries and increasing absorption of tissue fluid by the capillaries and lymphatic vessels. Compression therefore reduces and helps prevent swelling. The physical presence of the stocking also helps control the diameter of superficial veins beneath the stocking. The stocking does not allow these veins to over expand with blood, thus helping to prevent “pooling”. The venous blood then flows more quickly up the leg towards the heart. Jobst® offers the best compression stockings in the industry. Jobst®UltraSheer provides the sheerest gradient compression hosiery in its class, Jobst Opaque is the softest and Jobst for Men is uniquely designed - for men, of course!

MAGGIE’S MEMO:
Jobst is the #1 physician recommended brand of medical compression stockings, and their custom products, from medical hosiery to bandages, are backed with over 50 years of experience in fitting and design. Bob Elliott’s EASTERN SHORE PHARMACY, across from PRMC at the corner of Carroll St. and Eastern Shore Dr. in Salisbury, is the place to find Jobst stockings and all your health accessories. Stop by or call 410-749-5253.

MAGGIE SAYS:
EASTERN SHORE PHARMACY customers find it convenient to home, work, and their doctors’
offices. They offer “100% praise” on friendliness, efficiency, and help with insurance. Pharmacist Bob Elliott’s customers told us they had “nothing but good” to say and that they love his ready smile and great sense of humor. They highly recommended him to Maggie, and so we do to you!