How tight clothes put a strain on your health

With the magic of spanx, corsets and other shape wear, it is easy to have a well curved, sculpted body during the day and go back to your flabby, zero ab body in the night. We will not think twice about oiling our way into extra tight jeans or put on double spanx; whatever it takes to make us look slim, beautiful and young. But how safe is this?
If you love your skinny jeans, then, you might have experienced a numbness going down your thigh and loosing all feeling in your feet. Doctors call this meralgia paresthetica which is a result of constricting a sensory nerve that comes from your pelvis that provides sensation to parts of your thigh.
Although the condition is not dangerous, doctors warn it can cause several ailments.

Infertility
Dr George Bwesigye, a general practitioner at Najeera Hospital paints a gloomy picture for men. “Testicles should be kept at a temperature different from the rest of the body. This way, they are able to effectively manufacture sperm. Therefore, confining them in tight clothing interferes with this process and can lead to infertility,” explains Bwesigye.

Infections
He says tight underwear encourages moisture in the intimate area, leading to infections caused by fungi and microorganisms, such as, vaginal thrush.

Circulation
Tight clothing restricts blood circulation, hindering its natural flow and return circulation. This can lead to pain, swelling or varicose veins in the lower limbs due to the pressure placed on the affected body part. If you already have a cellulite problem, wearing tight outfits worsens it due to reduced blood circulation.

Indigestion
Bwesigye further notes that trousers and belts that press excessively on the belly area or abdomen stop the stomach from naturally expanding which is necessary for proper digestion. “Because the digestive system is not carrying out its functions properly, a person will end up with heartburn and acid reflux, among others,” he notes.

UTIs
Celebrity stylist Solomon Tazibone notes that women wearing shape wear are more likely to ignore and avoid using the bathroom which has potential health problems like urinary tract infections.
“It is not easy to peel off a corset or Spanx especially in a public restroom. So ladies postpone going to the toilet to urinate for several hours waiting for the convenience of their own homes,” he says.
Apart from the health problems, tight clothing presents psychosocial problems since there is a general tendency to make assumptions about people basing on their clothing.
In Uganda, there is stigma against clothes that are too tight and too revealing. Wearing them thus exposes the individual to discomfort caused by rude stares and comments.
“The biggest problem, however, is when the clothes are won by children. Much as we would like to deny this, the fact remains that men are visual and will not hesitate to ogle an 11-year-old girl in tight shorts or even make a pass.
“As parents, it is our duty to protect our children even at the risk of being labeled unfashionable and conservative,” observes Ronah Nantamba, a mother of four.