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Causes and Prevention of Deep
Vein Thrombosis
 

 
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Sitting or resting inactively for hours increases your chances of getting DVT

Long-distance traveling can take its toll on the body in several ways, including jet lag, sore muscles, drowsiness or even worse – deep vein thrombosis.

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when a blood clot forms deep inside a muscle in the body, usually blocking circulation or lodging in a blood vessel in the lungs, brain or heart. These blood clots can lead to severe organ damage and possibly death within hours of the clot’s formation.

What causes DVT?
People are at risk for developing DVT when traveling long distances, especially on long flights or car trips that require sitting inactively for several hours. Several other variables can lead to or increase your chances of getting DVT, including surgery, certain medical conditions and many different lifestyle factors. If you are required to rest for three days or more following a surgery, injury or illness, your chances of contracting DVT also increase.

Any surgery or injury, such as a broken leg, that reduces blood flow to a region of the body can increase your chances of contracting DVT. Cancer, paralysis, hormonal therapy, pregnancy, varicose veins, and a history of heart attack, stroke or congestive heart failure also increase your chance of getting DVT.

Lifestyle and environmental factors, such as drinking or smoking, can cause DVT as well. People older than 60 and those who are overweight are more likely to form blood clots, and the use of birth control pills or the patch increases a woman’s DVT risk.

How do I know if I have DVT?
One of the most important signs of DVT is tenderness in the calf muscle. Pain and/or swelling in the leg also suggest DVT, as well as increased leg temperature. Redness in the leg or bluish skin discoloration are both symptoms of the disorder, as well as discomfort when the foot is pulled upward.

If you experience any of these symptoms, alert a physician immediately.

How is DVT prevented?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests these methods to prevent DVT:
  • Get up and moving as soon as you possibly can after bed confinement for three days or more.
  • Do leg exercises and walk around when possible during long flights or trips that require you to sit for more than four hours.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes when traveling or recovering from a surgery.
  • Drink lots of water and avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking.
  • Talk to your physician about blood thinners or special stockings designed to prevent blood clots.
  • Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly.

Published: July 31, 2008
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Writer: Alexandra Cox


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