They interfere with the blood flow and can lead to serious complications
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Hyderabad: A fashion conscious youngster will definitely have at least one pair of skinny jeans in his or her wardrobe. However, it is a little known fact that the same stylish pair is a potential health hazard and can even possibly kill.
In a report published in the British specialist publication, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, a 35-year-old woman from Australia had to be admitted to a hospital as she was unable to walk or move her toes and ankles properly, and found her legs severely swollen due to her tight jeans. The reason being, she had spent hours sitting on her haunches and worked around, while wearing skinny jeans.
The woman, whose calves had ballooned, developed what is known as the Compartment Syndrome — “a painful and potentially life-threatening serious condition caused by bleeding or swelling within an enclosed bundle of muscles — in this case, the calves”, said the report. The jeans had to be cut and the woman was put on intravenous drip and was able to walk, unaided, only after four days.
“There are many modern clothing and accessories that are serious health hazards and tight jeans are one of them,” says Dr Mithun Aachi, senior orthopaedic surgeon from the city. “When you wear skinny jeans, it interferes with the blood circulation from the leg to the heart. While the heart continues to pump blood to the legs, there is little that goes back to the heart because of the tight and restrictive clothing, due to this the blood starts to accumulate, which leads to swelling. This is when your limbs can be jeopardised and there have been cases when patients needed surgical correction,” he says.
Dr Mithun adds that skinny jeans have got nothing to do with fitness and that they are in general not a suitable choice of clothing. “People who are obese, diabetic and even those who smoke should stay away from tight jeans,” he says.
Even though doctors agree that Compartment Syndrome is very rare, there are other health hazards. “Your skin needs air and the clothes need to provide good ventilation,” says Dr J. Anish Anand, MD, consultant physician.
“But skinny jeans worn over a long period of time can cause irritation, pain and can even lead to allergy or muscle pain. Duration for wearing such clothes depends on person to person, it could be either a few minutes or a few days,” adds Dr J. Anish Anand from Apollo Hospital.
“Your body is the best indicator when it comes to what to wear. When you wear something tight for a long time, you will sense that your body is uncomfortable and you should listen to such signals,” he adds. Be it a college-goer or one getting ready for their first day at work, we have always been told to buy skinny jeans a size smaller for that perfect fit, but it might be a good time to ditch that practice. “Comfortable clothing is what people should opt for. Even though Compartment Syndrome is a rarity, it can happen to anyone,” says Dr Anish.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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