New info rmation obtained by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reveals that the risk of deep vein thrombosis or blood clots is more increases incrementally with the amount of time that a person spends enroute while traveling. researchers found that risk went up 18 percent for every 2 hours spent in travel no matter what mode of transportation was used. However, when it comes to travel by air, the risk elevated to 26 percent for evey 2 hours of air travel.Learning more about deep vein thrombosis, or DVT-a condition that affects two million Americans every year-could save your life.
DVT is a blood clot that develops in the deep veins of the legs or pelvic area or, on rare occasions, the arms.
It is not usually life threatening but it can become so if a blood clot breaks loose, becoming a pulmonary embolism (PE). Many people in the U.S. die within the first hour after a PE occurs-and up to 200,000 Americans die each year.
Who Is at Risk?
According to the Vascular Disease Foundation, risk factors include a lengthy surgery, pregnancy, being over age 40 and sedentary, cancer, use of birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, a family history of DVT, and spinal cord or other major injuries.
Smoking also increases the risk of DVT, as does obesity, long-distance travel and inherited clotting conditions. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk.
Signs and Symptoms of DVT
Only about half the people with DVT have typical symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common are swelling of one leg, pain or tenderness, skin that is warm to the touch, fullness of the veins just beneath the skin and change in the color of the leg (bluish or very pale). Symptoms like these can develop slowly or suddenly. If you have these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Signs and Symptoms of PE
The symptoms of pulmonary embolism occur quickly and need prompt medical attention. They include shortness of breath, sharp chest pain (usually occurring with inhalation), a feeling of apprehension or anxiety, sudden collapse, rapid pulse, coughing, sweating, and bloody phlegm.
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a health care professional immediately.
Anticoagulants or blood thinners such as Coumadin®, heparin or newer heparin derivatives are effective at helping the body clear the DVT and prevent a PE.
"Prevention is the best medicine for DVT or PE," said Alain Drooz, M.D., president of the Vascular Disease Foundation. "By being active, keeping well hydrated and proactively discussing your risks with your doctor, you may be able to prevent clots from forming and jeopardizing your health.
- Consider buying compression stockings at a medical supply store and wearing them during your trip.
- Don't wear short, tight socks or cross your legs for long periods.
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid dehydrating beverages, such as coffee and alcohol. Dehydration causes blood to thicken and vessels to narrow.
- When traveling by car, stop every hour to walk around.
- Between flights and during long ones, get up and move around. This squeezes the blood vessels, helping to prevent DVT.
- If you can't easily move around, curl or press your toes down often throughout your trip.
Travel and Risk for Venous Thromboembolism. ( D. Chandra, E. Parisini and D. Mozaffarian -Ann Intern Med 4 August 2009; Volume 151 Issue 3.)
Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.
