Deep vein
thrombosis (DVT):
A Bad Clot
Long plane journeys can put you at risk of deep vein thrombosis.
- AFP
Beware
blood clots in the deep veins of the body.
I
RECENTLY went for a charity walk to raise awareness about deep vein thrombosis.
I learned that office workers who don’t exercise or move around a lot are at
risk of getting this condition. What is deep vein thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep
veins in your body. This usually happens in your legs, thighs or pelvis when
your blood becomes thicker.
It
is true that DVT happens when you don’t move for a long time, like if you are
confined to bed after a fracture or major surgery, or after you have a stroke.
Is
it a common problem? I have never heard of it before this.
It
is quite common, but perhaps not as common as heart attacks or strokes. In the
US, 300,000 to 600,000 people get it every year.
It
can be quite dangerous because the blood clot (thrombus) can break off and
travel through your bloodstream. Once the thrombus has broken off, it is called
an embolus.
An
embolus can travel to your lung arteries and block the blood flow there. This
serious condition is called pulmonary embolism. If not treated, pulmonary
embolism can lead to death.
Blood
clots which form in your thighs are more likely to break off and cause
pulmonary embolism than the ones in your lower legs or other parts of the body.
Why
do some people get it and others don’t? I work in an office and I don’t have
it.
There
are several factors which put you at higher risk:
-Blood clots are more likely to form when your vein’s inner lining is damaged.
This damage can be caused by injuries or surgery, or even immune responses to
infections or chemicals.
- If your blood flow is sluggish or slow, blood clots are also more likely to be
produced. Your circulation can get really slow after you are immobilised, such
as when you are recovering after surgery or if you have been ill.
This
can also happen if you are sitting for a long time, such as in a plane or at
the office. So it is always advisable that you take a walk around the plane or
office every so often.
-
If you have thicker blood than normal, such as if you have certain clotting
factor conditions.
-
If you take oral contraceptives or hormone therapy.
-
If you are pregnant or in the six weeks after you have given birth.
-
If you are on treatment for cancer.
-
If you are obese.
-
If you smoke.
How
will I know if I have DVT?
You
might not know it! Only 50% of people who have DVT know they have DVT.
Other
than not producing symptoms, DVT can cause pain in your leg, which you may only
experience if you are standing or walking. There may be some tenderness in the
area, or even swelling of your leg or along the vein.
There
may be increased warmth in the area of your leg which is swollen or painful.
The skin may be red or discoloured.
Sometimes,
DVT may present itself as a pulmonary embolism, in which you have a sudden
unexplained shortness of breath or pain during deep breathing. You may also
cough up blood.
You
have to go to the hospital immediately if you get symptoms like these.
Can
DVT be treated?
Yes.
The doctor has to stop the blood clot from getting bigger, prevent it from
breaking off and becoming an embolus, and reduce your chances of getting
another blood clot.
This
can be done by giving you anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin. These are
also known as blood thinners and will decrease the blood’s ability to clot.
Please
note than these cannot break up your blood clots which have already formed. But
your body can dissolve most blood clots with time.
You
usually have to be treated for six months.
The
doctor can also give you thrombolytics, which are medicines that can dissolve
large clots. These can cause sudden bleeding, so they are given with care and
in life-threatening situations, like pulmonary embolism.
I
am going on a long plane journey to the US. How can I minimise the risk of DVT?
There
is actually a low risk of developing DVT while you are travelling unless you
have a pre-existing condition.
But
the risk increases if the flight time is four hours or more.
You
can walk up and down the aisle of the plane. When you sit down, you can move
your legs and flex or stretch your feet to improve blood circulation in your
calves.
Wear
loose and comfortable clothing, and drink lots of water and avoid drinking
alcohol.
About
Dr YLM
Dr
YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on
various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For
further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my.
The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes
only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy,
completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such
information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any
losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly
from reliance on such information.
