What
Is DVT ?
DVT- Deep Vein Thrombosis-
is a formation of blood clot in one of the deep veins of
the body, usually, in the legs. It occurs most often in
people who have not been able to exercise normally.
During long periods of immobility, such as plain sitting,
blood passing through the deepest veins in the calf or thigh,
flows relatively slow (the medical term is stasis).
If a DVT occurs, it may form a solid clot, which becomes
wedged in the vein.
In Dr. Roy Fujitani, chief of Vascular Surgery at UCI Medical
Center, California, words: “The
calf muscles act as a "peripheral heart," squeezing
with every contraction to push blood out of the legs and
back to the heart. If the blood clots in deep veins, that
pumping will fail, blood will pool in the legs, and that
could lead to painful and hazardous condition.”
(See “Article”
in this web site).
***
Who is
at risk?
Everyone!
Truly, there are people
who are more prone for DVT than others, due to a number
of related preconditions:
Age (above 40), obesity, pregnancy, women on the pill, family
history of DVT, heavy smokers, heart and vascular condition,
to name a few. In fact, there are so many risk categories
that it covers most of the people whenever a condition of
prolonged immobility is additionally imposed.
A French study has shown that a 5 hours long journey, by
plane, car or train is enough to increase the risk of DVT
4 times.
There is a particular risk with air travel,
mainly due to the immobile cramped conditions, which is
experienced by most passengers.
Every air traveler is familiar with the situation where
passengers, sitting in between other passengers, who wish
to get out of the row for a stretch or a walk or to the
bathroom, are reluctant to do so because they have to disturb
the others.
Other passengers try to pass time sleeping and, frequently,
passengers are not allowed to get up, as the captain (the
pilot) instructing to remain seated due to air instability.
Thus, the overall result is that most passengers remain
immobile for too long.
According to Dr. Fujitani, in the USA, about half
of the 2 millions cases of DVT, annually, are due
to prolonged air travel.
***
How dangerous
is it?
The most common complication
of DVT is a Pulmonary Embolism (PE), which occurs in about
30% of DVT cases. The clot detaches from the vein, travels
through the blood system and get stacked in the lung, where
it blocks the airway.
Up to 10% of people who suffers from PE die as a result
of it.
In other cases, a part of the clot may travel to other organs,
such as the brain, where it leads to a stroke that cripple
or kill the victim.
Yet another complication is post thrombotic syndrome which
can cause pain, swelling and skin ulcers.
***
What
can be done to reduce risk?
Preventive recommendations
vary from Aspirin for blood thinning (although many doctors
maintain that this raises the risk of a stroke) to special
awkward pressure stockings which were originally designed
for hospital patients after surgery, who are confined to
lay in bed for prolonged periods.
Doctors agree that keeping mobile is vital so they recommend
stretching and walking frequently, whenever possible, or,
at least, exercising in the seat.
However, exercising in standard seats is not effective,
if at all possible.
This
is where NewSit comes to the rescue!
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