Monday, March 15, 2010

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Did you know that March is recognized as Deep Vein Thrombosis month? You may be thinking, "What the in the world is Deep Vein Thrombosis?!" Well, it is a very serious condition that can affect people of all ages. Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT is a blood clot in the "deep" larger veins, usually in the legs. If the blood clot dislodges from the vein wall and moves through the venous system, it could eventually block a vein in the heart, brain or lungs. This could cause a stroke or even death.

If you are a frequent traveler, whether by air or automobile or even if you are a long haul truck driver you need to be particularly aware of DVT. Sitting or standing for long periods of time makes your veins work harder and increases you chance of venous problems. I have listed a few travel tips:

1. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
2. Wear compression stockings or socks.
3. Stand up and move around often.
4. If you can't stand up point and flex your feet 10 to12 times. Repeat often.
5. Maintain a healthy weight.
6. Avoid smoking and excessive sodium and alcohol intake.

To learn more about Deep Vein Thrombosis and how to recognize the symptoms check out the following web site: www.myleghealth.com Also, I got most of the above information from a brochure put out by Juzo. You may want to also check out their web site: www.juzousa.com

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