Deep vein thrombosis – an avoidable travel mishap

- The summer vacation season is about to begin, and for many people this is the busiest time of the year for traveling to faraway destinations by plane or bus.

In this article we have put together all the important information on deep vein thrombosis (DVT), so that you can begin your vacation as soon as you arrival, without having to worry about the long journey and its risks. What happens during a DVT is that a blood clot or a thrombus forms in your deep leg veins. In most cases this will happen unnoticed and the body will take care of it on its own. However, the dangerous aspect is the chance of complications of a pulmonary embolism. This is the case when the thrombus is released and flushed into the lungs, potentially leading to a perilous cap of a lung or bronchial artery.

What are the symptoms of a DVT?

A DVT will often occur after long periods of immobilization, and for most affected people, the DVT will take its course unnoticed. Typical signs for a DVT are swelling, a blue-violet discoloration as well as pain in the according lower leg, which usually improves when the leg is in an elevated position. As there is a 10% to 30% chance of suffering from a pulmonary embolism after a DVT, you should immediately seek a doctor in case of respiratory issues after a long journey.

What are a DVT’s biggest risk factors?

The renowned German pathologist Rudolf Virchow formulated three main causes for developing a thrombosis, which since, are known in the medical world as Virchow’s triad:

Damage to the vascular walls can occur during operations, traumas or infections. The damaged vascular wall will initiate the physiological process of wound healing. Here, a thrombus can develop after an excessive blood coagulation.

An augmented blood coagulation can be evoked through genetic factors, smoking or medicine. Women who use the pill for contraception and regularly smoke are at an especially high risk of hypercoagulation. Recent studies have shown that a significant amount of medicinal products regularly prescribed to young women visibly increase the thrombosis risk.

A reduced flow pace of the blood in our veins will often occur after long periods of sitting or lying down. When we walk, our leg muscles and the venous valves are responsible for a continuous blood flow to the heart. When our legs are not in motion for long periods of time – for example during long travels or being bedridden – this mechanism is clearly affected which is beneficiary for a thrombosis. Being immobile during long-distance flights or bus rides will increase the risk of thrombosis by 20 times.

A recent study was able to prove that the body mass index (BMI) and the body composition can affect the thrombosis risk. The study has shown that a high BMI and an augmented ratio of fat in the patient’s body will both increase the risk of thrombosis. With the seca mBCA 515, these two parameters can quickly and precisely be determined. The information offered by the device can give insights into the patient’s general health condition, as well as the thrombosis risk.

Are there pre-emptive measures?

A few simple rules of conduct can decrease the risk of a DVT. Regularly standing up and walking around during long trips, as well as wearing surgical hoses, have been proven of value. If you are among one of the risk groups, you should consult with your doctor so that they can prescribe anticoagulants.

And with these tips, your long-awaited journey can begin without distress!

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