For most people, a well-paying white-collar job definitely beats the kind of hard physical labour that can often lead to a variety of health problems as we get older – and we all love our modern conveniences. However, a sedentary lifestyle can definitely lead to its share of health issues, including Deep Vein Thrombosis. Deep Vein Thrombosis is a syndrome, in which a blood clot forms in the lower body, causing leg pain, swelling, or potentially deadly complications if the clot travels upwards to the lungs or heart.
Symptoms of DVT in the leg are:
● Throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh
● Swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
● Warm skin around the painful area
● Red or darkened skin around the painful area
● Swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them
These symptoms also happen in your arm or tummy if that’s where the blood clot is.
Who is more likely to get DVT:
● 60 years and above
● Overweight
● Smoker
● If DVT was diagnosed before
● A contraceptive pill is taken before
● Cancer or heart disease
● Affected by Varicose Veins
There are also some temporary situations when you’re at more risk of DVT. These include:
● If you are staying in or recently left the hospital – especially if you are operated and
cannot move
● You go on a long journey, by car, or air or train
● You are pregnant or you have delivered in the previous 6 weeks
● You are dehydrated
Sometimes DVT can happen for no obvious reasons.
Below are the five tips for reducing your risk of suffering from Deep Vein Thrombosis:
- Stay Active: You already know how important it is to stay active – both for your physical health and your mental outlook. However, for those looking to avoid deep vein thrombosis, keeping active and fit is particularly necessary. You don’t necessarily need a hugely rigorous exercise regimen – simply a half-hour to an hour of walking, swimming, or biking every day can make an enormous difference.
● Lose Weight: It’s no secret that the battle of the bulge is rarely easy to fight, but the benefits of managing your weight through a healthy diet are well worth the effort. Get in touch with a skilled dietician or simply start paying attention to calories to make sure you’re not taking in more than you’re burning each day. At the very least, greasy fried foods, sugary sodas, empty-calorie candies, and other diet-destroying treats should be kept to an absolute minimum.
● Get Your Blood Pressure Checked: These days, you don’t need to visit the doctor’s office to have your blood pressure checked. Portable machines are easier to use than ever and many drug stores also provide access to in-store testing machines. Blood pressure can rise because of stress, smoking, and weight gain/obesity as well as excessive sodium intake, among other causes. Learn how to check yours – and do it regularly – so you’ll know when it’s rising to unsafe levels and can alert your doctor. High blood pressure has no known symptoms, so regular testing is the only sure way to beat this condition often called “the silent killer.”
● Do Stretches or Take Breaks when Sitting for Long Periods: If you’re on an
aeroplane for extended periods (4 hours or more), be sure to walk around the cabin or, if possible, do leg stretches before and during the flight. It’s also important to stay well-hydrated and avoid alcohol to reduce your risk of experiencing DVT.
● Consider Alternatives to Birth Control Pills: Certain birth control pills can lead to dangerous blood clots in the veins of women who take them, according to a study published in the medical journal BMJ. If blood clots are a concern, you might want to talk to your doctor about alternative forms of contraception.
Tips to prevent DVT:
Do’s
● Stay healthy and active
● Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – DVT is more likely if you’re dehydrated
Don’ts
● Do not sit still for long periods of time – get up and move around every hour or so
● Do not cross your legs while you’re sitting, it can restrict blood flow
● Do not smoke – get support to stop smoking
● Do not drink lots of alcohol
For more details or information on DVT, get in touch with Dr. Shoaib F. Padaria.