DVT - and how to avoid this

Avoiding DVT

You may have heard of DVT and be concerned about it. The following information is as a guide only and if you have further concerns you should contact your health care provider.

What is DVT?

DVT is a condition where blood clots develop in the deep veins of the legs. It is a serious condition and one in every hundred people who develop DVT die. It must be distinguished from blood clots in superficial varicose veins in the legs, called phlebitis, which is much less serious.

DVT = deep vein thrombosis

The cause of death is usually a blood clot, travelling from the legs to the lungs. This is called pulmonary embolus or PE. When PE is severe it causes the lungs to collapse and heart failure.

Treatment of DVT and PE is with blood-thinning drugs or anticoagulants, including warfarin and heparin. Aspirin in low doses also acts as a blood thinning drug and is used to prevent clotting conditions in the arteries like coronary thrombosis. Its benefit in preventing DVT is debatable. DVT combined with PE or other blood clots is often referred to as Venous Thrombo-Embolism or VTE.

Who is at risk from DVT

Every year DVT occurs in about 1 in 2000 people in the general population, ranging from less than 1 in 3000 in people under the age of 40 up to 1 in 500 in those over 80.

The risk of DVT and PE is greater in people

over 40 years of age
who have had blood clots already
with a family history of blood clots
suffering from or who have had treatment for cancer
with certain blood diseases
being treated for heart failure and circulation problems
who have had recent surgery especially on the hips or knees
who have an inherited clotting tendency.

DVT is also more common in women who

are pregnant
have recently had a baby
are taking the contraceptive pill
are on hormone replacement therapy or HRT.

These groups make up 90 to 95% of all those who get DVT and/or PE.

Before the trip

Consult your doctor if you have

• ever had a DVT or PE
  
• a family history of clotting conditions
  
• an inherited tendency to clot (thrombophilia)
  
• cancer or had treatment for cancer in the past
  
• undergone major surgery in the last three months
  
• had hip or knee replacement within the last three months or
  ever suffered from a stroke.
  

Avoiding DVT - what to do during the journey:

• get comfortable in your seat and recline as much as possible
  
• bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes while seated every half-hour or so during the flight
  
• press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor or foot-rest to increase the blood flow in your legs and reduce clotting
  
• do upper body and breathing exercises to further improve circulation
  
• take occasional short walks around the cabin, whilst cruising at altitude
  
• take advantage of refuelling stopovers where it may be possible to get off the plane and walk about
  
• drink plenty of water
  
• avoid alcohol, which in excess leads to dehydration and immobility
  
• avoid taking sleeping pills, which also cause inertia

After the trip

For the vast majority of air passengers there will be no problems upon disembarkation. However symptoms of DVT can appear after arrival. If you develop swollen painful legs, especially where one is more affected than the other, or if you have breathing difficulties, see a local doctor urgently or go the the nearest A&E department.

To find out more about DVT visit the department of health site

Deep Vein Thrombosis...an In Flight Risk

DVT?
an in flight risk
by Cathy Gatson

Planning to do some long distance traveling this summer be it train, plane or automobile?here is some important information to pack with you to avoid this trip from being your last leg.

WHAT IS IT?
DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the deep vein of the leg. The Deep Vein in the leg passes through the center of the leg and is surrounded by muscle. Superficial veins are on top of the muscle and are visible to the eye.

DVT's usually occur in the lower leg between the ankle and the knee areas. DVT's are serious and can be fatal. Once a blood clot occurs, it can travel through the veins and get lodged in the lungs or heart resulting in death.

Since DVT can develop very rapidly, symptoms, if any may be difficult to detect. In fact, an estimated 50% of reported DVT incidents went undetected. However, seek medical advice if during or after a flight you experience:
· Pain and warmth in the lower legs
· Prickly sensation in the legs
· Warmness or swelling of the feet or legs
· Shortness of breath
· Noticeable pain in the lower legs that worsens when walking or standing

IN FLIGHT RISK
What's the connection between travel and blood clots?  Keeping the legs in a cramped position and inactive for long periods of time restricts the blood flow in the legs and increases the risk of a blood clot.

Some doctors believe that DVT is "more common today as a result of two factors, the increase in the number of frequent flyers and airline deregulation". As a result of deregulation, the distance between one airline seat to the one in front of it is no longer regulated. Many airlines moved seats closer together in order to fit more passengers on the planes thereby reducing the leg room between seats from 40 inches to 28.

Tighter seating arrangements plus existing medical conditions can equal danger.
· History of blood clots
· Cancer
· Prolonged bed rest following orthopedic surgery
· Estrogen therapy
· Obese or very tall individuals
· Birth control pills
· Recent treatment involving general anesthesia
· Cigarette smoker
· Previous thrombotic episode
· Congestive heart failure
· Pregnancy
· Dehydration
If you have any of the above conditions it is wise to seek medical advice before traveling.

STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT
Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of a DVT:
· Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration before and during your trip.
· Try to keep your thighs clear of the edge of your seat.
· Wear loose fitting clothing.
· Keep the legs uncrossed.
· Wear graduated compression hose (www.healthylegs.com or www.supporthosiery.com)
· Get up and walk for 5 minutes every hour. If you cannot stand flex your ankles up and down and curl your toes about 20 times every hour. These exercises will help stimulate blood flow through the legs.
· Aspirin - it is suggested to take an aspirin before departing and at safe intervals during your trip - consult with your doctor.

Now, the informed traveler, get fly, go fly and be safe!

Further  information
www.dvt.net, www.economyclasssyndrome.net.

Cathy Gatson is a freelance writer and owner/operator of Yada Beauty Lounge, a hair and body salon in Northern California.

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