What is a bandage? Description, types, instructions for use

In modern medicine, to facilitate the patient's condition, not only medicines are used, but also various medical devices. The latter include corsets, belts, collars, orthopedic insoles and bandages.

Let's stop in more detail on bandages. What is and for what purposes is it used? What should I look for when choosing a bandage? Maybe you should trust a pharmacist or be guided by a friend's opinion? Or maybe just buy a bandage in the transition, or save and buy already used? Let's understand.

What is a bandage

A bandage is a very elastic belt with fasteners or ties, used for medical purposes. Basically, this device is designed to support the anterior abdominal wall and internal organs. With the help of a bandage, the patient feels relief and is quickly restored.

Due to the elasticity of the belt, the load on the spine is removed, the feeling of heaviness in the whole body is prevented, physical overwork, back pains.

What are the types of bandages

What is the bandage and what is it for, we found out. Now let's look at the types. Employees of pharmacies or sellers of specialized stores can help and advise you a bandage depending on your case, but it will be more correct if the patient consults with a specialist for clarification and only then will buy the same type of bandage that is necessary in a particular case.

So, you can find on sale the following types of bandages:

1. Postoperative is used by both women and men. This device is designed to alleviate the pain in the abdominal cavity and the area of ​​the chest after the operations carried out.

2. Prenatal - it's also a bandage for pregnant women. Effectively helps with pain in the back and lower back during pregnancy. Prevents the abdomen from falling prematurely and promotes the correct location of the fetus.

3. Knee brace is indispensable for the prevention and treatment of joint injuries.

4. Herniated - it is supposed to wear such a belt to avoid the omission and even the exit of the organs from the abdominal cavity and small pelvis.

5. Postpartum can be combined with a bandage for pregnant women. It is used to accelerate the reduction of the uterus and the rapid recovery of the body after childbirth.

   

What forms can you find

What is the bandage and what are its varieties, we told above, now let's go directly to the forms of bandages that can get to us:

1. Belt, the belt is for the waist. Usually, these bandages are prescribed for pregnant women, because they do not press on the uterus and are fixed under the stomach.

2. The bandage in the form of panties looks like ordinary panties, but the waist is much higher and has inserts on the abdomen and lower back.

3. Combination is an excellent option for distributing physical activity throughout the body. Usually prescribed for strengthening the back or with low back pain during pregnancy.

4. Bandage-grace has a pulling effect. The fasteners are on the side and bottom. It is used as a postpartum bandage to quickly restore the body and return to previous forms.

   

Indications for use

As we have already mentioned, you can always purchase a bandage yourself at a pharmacy or a store. But it is better all the same, if your doctor appoints you. The specialist knows better if there is a need for it, and what kind of bandage is needed for you in a particular case. And the reasons can be the following:

• Postponed operation( in this case, the doctor will recommend you postoperative bandage).

• Presence of a hernia.

• In the event that you are prone to exhaust yourself with physical exertion.

• In the presence of multiple pregnancies or other threat of interruption.

• Gynecological operations( removal of the uterus, caesarean section).

• Pain in the legs, varicose veins.

• Prophylaxis of stretch marks on the skin.

• Back pain, the presence of vertebral hernia.

• For pain in the joints( in this case it is a knee bandage).

As you can see, there are many reasons for wearing this device. Correctly selected bandage can significantly improve the patient's well-being and even prevent possible complications.

Contraindications

It is not in vain that we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor before buying a bandage. It is possible that it not only does not help you, but it can also seriously harm. A group of contraindications in which wearing orthopedic devices is not recommended:

1. Complicated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, with gastric ulcer categorically prohibited squeezing.

2. Skin diseases.

3. Renal failure.

4. Presence of postoperative sutures.

5. Allergic reaction to the material from which the band was made.

   

How to wear a bandage

How to wear a particular bandage, you can tell the seller or a pharmacist. Do not hesitate to ask questions and clarify some of the nuances, because an incorrectly worn belt can damage your health. Gynecologists recommend pregnant women to wear a bandage lying down. It is believed that in this position the stomach takes the proper location. Do not forget to put comfortable underwear underneath.

In no case can you sleep in the bandage, be sure to take breaks after 3-4 hours of wearing for 15-20 minutes. When skin redness, itching, or other symptoms appear on the skin, the device must be removed immediately.

From what period of pregnancy should I wear a bandage?

Gynecologists recommend pregnant women to start wearing an antenatal bandage starting from the twentieth week, that is, the fourth month. It is during this period that the fetus begins to grow rapidly and, accordingly, the uterus, too, which can lead to stretch marks on the skin. If there is a multiple pregnancy, it is better to start wearing a bandage earlier. The same is true for women who lead an excessively active lifestyle.

More suitable is the support for those women who have weakened abdominal muscles and lower back. This condition is usually found in re-maternal women or in multiple pregnancies. Such a belt will support the fruit from premature omission and relieve you of pain in the back and waist, and wearing a bandage is an excellent prevention of the intervertebral hernia. This supporting bandage should be worn right up to the delivery, regardless of the size of the abdomen. Postpartum can be worn immediately after the appearance of the baby in the world, if there is no contraindication to this.

In addition to all of the above, wearing a bandage helps relieve leg pain with varicose veins( which is very common during pregnancy) and osteochondrosis. But do not forget, nature is so programmed that a woman can easily stand the baby herself without any outside help, so if you do not have direct evidence, it is better to refrain from wearing any medical devices.

Choosing a bandage

Even if you know exactly which bandage you need, you should pay attention to choice and purchase. Do not think that the products are the same size. Since the composition of people is different, the bandages are also available in different sizes. So do not be afraid to ask permission from the seller to try it on. Even if you are not allowed to do this, at least make a measurement of your body and check with the data on the package.

Read the tag carefully. It is better to give preference to natural materials with the addition of lycra or elastane. This way you minimize the occurrence of allergies.

Do not buy a postnatal bandage in advance, as you will not be able to accurately predict your size. Also, it is not necessary to purchase second-hand products, because they could lose their shape and become useless because of this.

Pay attention to the appearance, it's good, if the fasteners of the bandage are multi-level and comfortable. Straps and fasteners should not rub. For wearing in the summer, it is recommended to choose a bandage of flesh-colored color, it is less noticeable under clothing. And remember that expensive does not always mean high-quality, sometimes the price is undeservedly overstated because of the brand's unwinding.