Electric socks 'to fight DVT'

Electric socks 'to fight DVT'

A health care company has invented a pair of electrically charged socks to help ward off deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long flights.
High Tech Health promised the Circulation Booster Mobile would increase blood circulation by 50 per cent to help reduce the risk of developing the potentially deadly condition.
Sam Penny, the director of the Sunshine Coast-based company, said a battery controlled, handheld device sent electrical impulses to the socks, which are embedded with silver.
The impulses pass through the skin and stimulate nerves in the feet and lower legs.

Study Could Help Cure Leg Ulcers (from Thisisbradford)

Study Could Help Cure Leg Ulcers (from Thisisbradford)

An international study which could lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of leg ulcers is being pioneered by a Bradford professor.
Professor Peter Vowden, head of vascular surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary, is the principal investigator of a key study being carried out in England, Canada and the United States.
It is investigating a new wound care product in patients with venous leg ulcers that have failed to heal despite conventional treatment.
Venous leg ulcers are caused by untreated varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis causing damage to vein function and which can over years damage the skin, leading to ulcers.

Important Information for Workers who Stand for Long Hours

Important Information for Workers who Stand for Long Hours

Findings from a clinical trial support the use of Knee High Support Hose

STRONG BENEFITS OF BELOW THE KNEE STOCKINGS

This study has shown that wearing support stockings results in significantly reduced fluid accumulation in the legs and a reduced leg volume increase.Workers general comfort was also improved with less leg aching, tightness, heaviness and tiredness. Neck & shoulder and lower back discomfort plus overall fatigue were also improved. In the short term, these stockings can prevent leg fluid accumulation, improve how the legs feel and general body discomfort & fatigue, making standing for prolonged periods a little more bearable.

MAY PREVENT OR SLOW THE ONSET OF VARICOSE VEINS

Over the long term based on other information in the literature, it is believed that they may reduce the load on the lymphatic system, improve tissue and cellular health in the lower limbs and prevent or slow the onset of problems such as varicose veins.

Italian Advice for Healthy Legs

Heatlhy Legs Advice from Italy

A figure fit for a miniskirt? The secret to attractive, healthy legs lies in more than a regular exercise program at the gym, it also involves proper nutrition. Certain kinds of food actually help us to get into shape and have a healthy body that is toned and full of energy. By relying on natural methods, you can improve your circulation and get rid of that sense of heaviness and tiredness in your legs, eliminating those unsightly swollen ankles that so many women are afflicted with, especially during the summer.


HEALTHY LEGS BEGIN AT THE TABLE

What foods should you choose to have shapely, healthy legs?

Tomatoes, potatoes and bananas, to start with; they are rich in potassium and help eliminate excess liquids. Blue fish contains those famous Omega 3 and 6 fats, as well as zinc, helping to keep the blood from becoming viscous while breaking down and eliminating toxins. Citrus fruits contain lots of vitamin C, and acts as an antioxidant, which fights free radicals. This means, among other things, that it helps maintain the elasticity of the veins, while protecting the blood vessels.

The "black" fruits, such as blueberries, grapes and berries in general, do the same thing, even if by different means. Hot pepper contains capsicine, a resin oil with a vasodilatory action, making it very good for circulation. According to recent studies, it appears that pomegranate juice is also excellent for circulation because it helps eliminate the accumulations of cholesterol and fats that tend to build up in the arteries. The recommended amount is just 50 ml a day. And finally, to keep fat intake under control, try to steer towards white meats (chicken, turkey and rabbit), eggs and yogurt, not to mention vegetables, fruit and cereals. Your food should be steamed or grilled and then sprinkled with cold-pressed oil (olive, linseed or sunflower). It's also important to drink lots of water.

Healthy Legs at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle

Healthy Legs Program

The Healthy Legs (Vascular Rehabilitation) Program is a comprehensive, year-long program offered through the Center for CardioVascular Wellness at Swedish. The program provides risk-reduction education and coaching to people with vascular disease, and is designed to help them reduce their risk for stroke and heart attack.

Know Your Risk for DVT Blood Clots

Know Your Risk

Are you at risk for DVT blood clots?

4 tests your doctor uses to diagnose DVT.

If your doctor thinks you have DVT blood clots, or may be at risk for DVT blood clots, the first thing he will do is examine you and get your medical history. Then, he may give you a test to help him make a more complete diagnosis. There are four tests that are commonly used to detect DVT blood clots and assess risk.

Health Tip: Varicose Veins May Not Need Treatment - Forbes.com

Health Tip: Varicose Veins May Not Need Treatment - Forbes.com

Although many people with varicose veins don't have any other symptoms, the Cleveland Clinic says that some people may have swelling or pain in the legs, itching, soreness or aching. Some skin discoloration may also occur.

Varicose veins occur most often among women, and may be influenced by a number of factors. Being older, overweight, and having a job that requires standing all day may contribute to varicose veins. Other factors may be heredity, crossing the legs often, using birth control pills, or use of post-menopausal hormone therapies.

Treatment may not be necessary, according to the clinic, unless you are experiencing pain. Support hose may help reduce symptoms in some people, and lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercise, and getting off your feet may also help.

Dealing with swollen feet on the bike

Triathlete Magazine "Dealing with swollen feet on the bike"

Recommendation from a family practitioner responding to a question about swollen feet during exercise. The response ...."start with a pair of below knee non-prescription support hose while biking and running. "

New Support Hose - Socks it to me?

Socks it to me

One man's experience with his new support hose. He notes "At nighttime, I swear I can hear them snarling in the drawer."

Fly Through Security - Know Before You Go!

When flying, you can use every spare minute and don't want to waste time waiting around an airport.

Visit the Transportation Security Administration's Web site:
TSA Transportation Security Administration Wait Times

The TSA's site lists the average wait time to clear security checkpoints at airports around the country. Once you specify the day and time, you'll see an historical average.

If you're traveling this summer, you need to bookmark this site.

If you have friends who are traveling, pass this link on to them.

The wait times are historical so please note actual wait time may vary depending on factors including weather delays which result in increased passenger levels.

When calculating arrival time, remember to build in time for non-security related issues, including parking, and checking in with your airline. Please consult your airline and airport for additional guidance on arrival time.

Worker gets DVT sitting at desk

An IT worker who collapsed with a blood clot after sitting at his desk for hours has warned of the danger of DVT. Freelance computer programmer Chris Simmons, from Whitchurch, Bristol, collapsed with deep vein thrombosis after an eight-hour shift at home.

The clot, which had formed in his leg, moved to his lung causing excruciating pain and leaving him coughing up blood.

Now Mr Simmons, 42, is calling on other desk-bound workers to get up and move around to cut the risk of DVT.

No warning

"I had absolutely no warning symptoms and I had no idea there was anything wrong at all," he said.

"I was sat at my desk and suddenly I was hit with the most excruciating pain in my lower back, I collapsed at the desk with my head on the keyboard, the pain was just so severe."

The pulmonary embolism, caused by part of the clot breaking off and travelling to his lung, was diagnosed after Mr Simmons went for a scan at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

"People are definitely not aware of the risks of developing DVT," he said. "I would urge everyone who works in a desk-bound job to try and do a few simple stretching exercises that can help to minimise the risk."

Healthy Legs Support Hose for DVT

A Diabetic Sock Designed to help Prevent the Foot Problems

176 million people around the world have diabetes—a number that is expected to increase to more than 333million people by the year 2025. Among the many health complications faced are feet problems. Poor blood flow and/or nerve damage brought on by diabetes can make everyday foot problems into something far more severe. In order to prevent such problems from occurring, a daily foot care routine and an appropriate pair of socks are essential.

Introducing SensiFoot, the diabetic sock designed to meet the unique needs of people with diabetes. SensiFoot, brought to you by the professionals at JOBST®, combines the comfort of an everyday sock with protections ‘regular’ socks cannot provide. Extra padding in the foot, heel,
and toe reduces friction, which provides extra comfort and protection. A nonirritating, smooth toe seam reduces pressure and irritation on toes and acrylic multi-fiber yarns wick away moisture to keep feet comfortable and dry.

SensiFoot offers an antibacterial/antifungal finish that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi on the sock to help prevent odor as well as non-constricting, mild compression (knee and crew styles only) to keep the sock in place.

Knitting column : Support Glove - Tips for easing knitter's aches, pains

Knitting column : Support Glove - Tips for easing knitter's aches, pains

By: CATHERINE HOLLINGSWORTH
Daily News correspondent
Published: April 25, 2006

(Click the link above for the complete article)

"Is knitting damaging your health? If you are a knitting addict like I am, you probably have a few aches and pains associated with your addiction.

I have been knitting for more than 46 years now, and I'm afraid all my bad habits have come home to roost. My neck gets stiff, my wrist hurts from carpal tunnel, and my back and shoulders ache. I have eyestrain too. Oh, yeah, I also have something called trigger finger. It's a repetitive-motion injury of the tendon. In my case, the ring finger of my left hand has a pea-sized lump that really hurts at times. So what's an avid knitter to do?

Of course, I won't quit knitting, so I figured I had better learn how to correct some of my bad habits. I talked with Dr. Greg Egeland at the Ireland Chiropractic Clinic. He had good advice for all knitters, and I am sure you'll thank him too.

You can also purchase gloves, which act like support hose for your wrists. They fit tightly and massage your hands as you work, which reduces the fatigue and pain. Try doing isometrics for your hands too. Hold your hands together like you are praying but with your fingers splayed out. Push together and release; repeat. This helps to relax the fingers."

Do 'flight hose' stop deep vein thrombosis?

Do 'flight hose' stop deep vein thrombosis?

Most won't need them, but travelers who pull on a pair of elastic support hose before boarding a long flight can cut their risk of blood clots, according to a new review of research.

The review examined the evidence that compression stockings can prevent deep vein thrombosis. Sometimes called "traveler's thrombosis," DVT is a circulatory condition in which blood coagulates into small clots inside a blood vessel.

Compression stockings — made from elasticized material — provide graduated, gentle pressure and are designed to keep blood flowing properly.

Lead researcher Mike Clarke, Ph.D., and his team uncovered strong evidence that flight stockings work. The review found that compression stockings reduce the risk of symptomless DVT to one to three cases per 1,000 long-haul passengers, down from 10 to 30 cases per 1,000.

"It's an extremely dramatic reduction, but it's of something that in the first place wasn't very common. So, these stockings reduce a fairly small risk, to something tiny," said Clarke, director of the United Kingdom Cochrane Centre.

The review appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

Spending Too Much Time at the Keyboard?

Official Google Blog: Avoiding Repetative Stress Injury

There is a Chinese saying that "To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

" In other words, how long can you tap on that keyboard or sit in that chair before you hurt yourself.

We’re not designed to remain as sedentary or perform the fine motor movements for the long uninterrupted hours that we have to do in so many of our jobs. Evidence suggests that prolonged abnormal posture and repetitive movements contribute to neck, limb and back pain. These conditions are collectively known as overuse syndromes, or repetitive stress injury (RSI).

Here are a few tips:
-- Breaks should be taken every 30-45 minutes for at least 5 minutes. If you need assistance there are free downloadable timers that will help remind you to do so.
-- Stretch your arms, hands, neck, and back during breaks. This yoga site demonstrates some exercises. Other sites are listed below.
-- Maintain posture alignment. Don't slouch on the couch with the laptop.
-- Work stations should be reviewed initially and with each office move. Adjust your chair, monitor, keyboard, mouse, laptop. Alternate keyboards and mice periodically.
--Shift your gaze from the computer screen to the distance. And don't forget to blink!
--Limit non-essential computer use. This may be heresy
-- but do give the surfing, gaming, emailing, and text messaging a rest.
-- If pain occurs or persists, see your doctor, who may recommend wrist brace, ice packs, anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, cortisone injections, physical therapy, and most importantly, rest to allow healing.

Don't procrastinate in addressing your symptoms -- the sooner you tend to them, the better off you are.

Wales - aviation health campaigners urges airlines to provide socks

Wales - MP urges airlines to provide DVT socks:

A sign of times to come? Is the UK a leader in helping to prevent DVT during air travel?

We'll keep you posted.

"WELSH aviation health campaigners have called on airlines to supply flight socks as part of the fight against Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith, who is spearheading the campaign, yesterday welcomed research showing flight socks reduced the risk of DVT by as much as 90%.


'I call on all airlines who take the health and well- being of their passengers seriously, to make flight socks readily available to passengers on long-haul flights as a matter of urgency. Such a measure could potentially save thousands of lives."

Foot swelling during air travel: What causes it? - MayoClinic.com

Foot swelling during air travel: What causes it? - MayoClinic.com

Leg and foot swelling is common during long flights. It's usually caused by inactivity. As a passenger on a plane, you spend most of your time seated with your feet on the floor. This allows blood to pool in your leg veins. When you walk, the muscles in your legs contract and compress the veins, forcing blood back to your heart.

Also, the position of your legs when seated increases pressure in the veins. This contributes to foot swelling by causing fluid to leave the blood and move into the surrounding soft tissues. Another cause of swelling in the ankles and feet may be certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers.
You can usually relieve swelling during and after a flight by:
-Elevating your feet and legs
-Get up and walk around the plane once an hour
-Rotate your ankles while seated

Foot swelling isn't a serious problem if it lasts only a short time. But excessive swelling that persists for several hours after you resume activity may be due to a more serious condition, such as a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) — especially if the swelling occurs in only one leg and is accompanied by pain. These symptoms require prompt medical attention.

On flights lasting six hours or more, consider taking these additional precautions to reduce the risk of DVT:
-Avoid wearing tight clothing around your waist
-Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
-Stretch your calves once an hour
-Avoid alcohol and sedatives, which promote immobility
-If you're at increased risk of blood clots, such as due to factor V Leiden, talk to your doctor before flying.

He or she may recommend:
-Compression stockings
-Low-molecular-weight heparin given two to four hours before departure
-Aspirin taken before flying is not proven to be effective in reducing the risk of blood clots.

Discovery Health :: Body Atlas :: Varicose veins

Discovery Health :: Body Atlas :: Varicose veins

This short online video is helpful in understanding the basics cause of varicose veins.

Scuba Diving and Lymphedema

Scuba Diving and Lymphedema

We’ve heard glowing reports from friends, who also happen to have lymphedema, about how they continue to enjoy scuba diving. In our search for information as to whether this is, or isn’t a recommended activity for those with lymphedema, we found the following statement made from Dr. Bruno Chikley, M.D.

“According to many patients, scuba diving is beneficial in chronic lymphedema. The hydrostatic pressure of water probably has a similar effect to that of compression bandaging. The change in oxygen pressure may also have some effect, but no scientific study has yet been done on scuba diving and lymphedema.
“When scuba diving, lymphedema patients need to protect themselves against injury and wear a wet suit and diving gloves when diving close to reefs. They also need to look out for jellyfish, stingrays, etc.”

I'm 20 weeks pregnant. Can I travel by air? - Health - MSNBC.com

I'm 20 weeks pregnant. Can I travel by air? - Health - MSNBC.com

Most of us just sit in our seats without even stretching our legs. Especially on long flights, these cramped circumstances can lead to the formation of venous clots in the leg, and even pulmonary embolism. The risk is small, but it is relevant to all long-distance travelers. Though no published reports have shown that pregnant women are at a higher risk for this medical complication on long flights, I don’t find that reassuring. Even when they’re not flying, pregnant women are more likely to develop varicose veins, poor venous blood flow, and clots.

So once you are up in the air, and the seat belt sign is turned off, I would suggest that you very carefully move around the cabin as much as possible and consider wearing support stockings for your flight. Finally, since you don't know when turbulence will occur, while in your seat, wear your seat belt low on your hip bone, between your abdomen and pelvis.Now some tips for feeling more comfortable on your flight. Since humidity in the cabin is very low (less than 25 percent), hydrate! We do know that dehydration can lead to contractions. I recommend drinking one glass of water for every hour of your flight. Avoid gas-producing foods and drinks before boarding the plane, since trapped gas expands at higher altitudes. You don’t want to feel scary abdominal discomfort 40,000 feet up in the air and wonder if it's a contraction or gas pain.

Healthy Legs Tips for Women - Support Hose - Google Video

Healthy Legs Tips for Women - Support Hose - Google Video

A recent survey shows that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of women complain of leg pain at the end of the day.

This short video explains the top 10 tips for Healthy Legs including use of support hose, walking, taking calcium and vitamin D, and elevating your legs.

For more information

Fitness - Best Moves for Legs

Fitness - Best Moves for Legs

Legs are frequently the subject of self-recrimination among many people, men and women included, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Your legs are a vital part of your body, carrying you around every day and rarely complaining. It’s important to keep your legs in the best shape possible so that years from now the two of them will still be taking you up stairs and around town. Leg health is also important in case of illness that confines you to bed. Bedridden patients whose legs were not healthy before illness suffer Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) up to twice as often as those with strong legs. You may never end up in a hospital bed, unable to get out, but good leg health will ease your mind just the same.

The legs are made up of six major muscles and muscle groups. Located in the front of the thigh is a group of muscles known as the quadriceps. Opposite the quadriceps is another group of muscles called the hamstrings. The inside thigh is the location of the adductors. The lower consists of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the back and the tibialis anterior muscle in the front. Connecting the leg and hipbone to the spine are the hip flexors and the illiopsoas. All of these muscles must work together in perfect harmony in order for you to be able to walk, point your foot up, straighten your knee, and much more. When these muscles are strong and well conditioned they become firm and well defined, but let them get weak and the muscles will sag. Good muscle tone also helps prevent varicose and spider veins in the legs. While neither type of vein is especially dangerous, they are both unattractive and will rarely disappear on their own. Most varicose and spider veins must be treated by a doctor with either a laser or an injected saline solution.

Keeping your legs healthy will prevent 95 percent of all varicose and spider veins.
Deciding to make a point of maintaining strong, healthy legs is a wonderful decision and fortunately many of the muscles in the legs are some of the fastest to respond to conditioning. Aerobic exercise is great for some toning but concentrated work is best to shape the individual muscles. Some of them, like the adductors, are used so rarely that they can be challenging to tone but it is possible. To see maximum results for your legs, you should plan to work out at least three times weekly. Four to five sessions during the week are better and will give you faster results, but if you can only do three for now that’s fine to start.

The granddaddy of all leg conditioning movements is the lunge. Trainers across the nation put their clients through the lunging paces thousands of times every day and there’s a reason for that. The lunge is the one movement that can target most of the major muscles within the leg and shape them up fast. Lunging down requires the use of both lower leg muscles to help stabilize you and then the upper leg muscles to raise your body back up. By performing the same movement over and over you condition the muscle to take on the strongest form possible. If you have bad knees, though, lunging can be difficult and sometimes downright impossible. Rather than trying to force your body through pain, though, try modifying the movement. Instead of dropping your body all the way to the bottom of the movement, go only halfway or as far as you feel comfortable. Don’t step too far forward in the beginning and that will lessen some of the strain on the knee joint. The ultimate solution is simply to not do lunges at all and for some people it may be the only option. There are plenty of other choices that will help strengthen your legs without placing so much demand on your knees.
Squats are another excellent choice for firming and shaping the buttocks and upper thighs. As you squat, you demand a lot of work from the muscles in your buttocks and legs both going down and coming up. That demand intensified by 20 times results in some serious definition after several sessions. To work the inner and outer thighs, lateral raises are wonderful. Begin with your weight on your left foot and your right foot pointed slightly behind you. Hold on to a chair or wall for balance and slowly raise and lower your right leg out to the side. Raising your leg high isn’t so much the issue as just raising it and asking your muscles to make the effort. Do at least 20 repetitions for 3 sets several times per week to tone hips and back of the thigh. The inner thigh is a bit more challenging. Typically only used in climbing stairs or inclines, the inner thigh can get flabby fast without regular exercise. To condition the muscle, stand again with your weight on your left foot, raise and point your right foot in front of you, and slowly move your right foot and leg across your left leg. You should feel the stress in your inner thigh – if not, turn your leg so that the inner thigh is facing the ceiling and slowly sweep the leg back and forth across the other. Repeat for 3 sets of 20 repetitions.

Strong, healthy legs are worth the effort but the best part is that they respond quickly without putting in weeks of work. Incorporate squats and lunges into random parts of your day – brushing your teeth, doing laundry, washing dishes – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how fast your legs shape up!

Women's Leg Health - Top 10 Tips

Women's Leg Health - 10 Tips for Healthy Legs

To see Dr. Donnica discuss healthy legs, click here.

A recent survey commissioned by L’eggs Sheer Energy® shows that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of women complain of leg pain at the end of the day.

To address problems like these, Dr. Donnica Moore and L’eggs Sheer Energy® are partnering to offer women specific tips on how to boost leg health.

Radiology increasingly replaces surgery

Radiology increasingly replaces surgery - Nightly News with Brian Williams - MSNBC.com

Includes free video from NBC Nightly News.

Bruce Tempone is undergoing treatment for varicose veins in his legs. In the past this would have required surgery, including a day in the hospital and weeks of recovery.

But with the help of ultrasound, Dr. Robert Min guides a laser repair device into the veins. The entire procedure is over within an hour and Tempone recovers immediately.

This vein repair is one of dozens of procedures that fall into the expanding field of medicine called "interventional radiology" — often replacing more costly and difficult surgery. Doctors can now repair all sorts of organs by running tubes through various blood vessels. They're guided by live images such as X-rays, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.

Cramped planes not only culprit in blood clots

Cramped planes not only culprit in blood clots - Heart Health - MSNBC.com

Air travel, particularly long-haul flights, can increase the odds of developing dangerous blood clots but researchers said on Friday they are not only due to being immobile for long periods.

Low pressure and low oxygen levels in aircraft may also contribute in some people to the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

LeBron James' put in tight spot

NBA ban on support hose tights - James put in tight spot

The NBA will be banning tights next season, according to a report on ESPN.com. That means James and his contemporary stars' efforts to make support hose cool have been nixed.

Much to the dismay of Nike, which was getting upward of $35 a pair for them while their signature stars sported them during games this season, they've apparently gone the way of throwback jerseys and gold and diamond chains: On to the NBA's banned apparel list.

Flight Attendants Benefit from Support Hose

Support hose help relieve symptoms of leg discomfort and swelling for International Flight Attendants.

more information

DVT: it's now clear that flying puts us more at risk

DVT: it's now clear that flying puts us more at risk

Airlines have long argued that the cause of DVT is nothing more than a matter of sitting still - while in the same breath denying any link with cramped seating conditions or lack of legroom in the aircraft cabin. They have argued against use of the term "economy-class syndrome" (since cases also occur in business class), preferring to call it "traveller's thrombosis", on the basis that you can be just as immobile in a car or on a train.

This new study shows clearly and conclusively, however, that there really is something special about being in the air, beyond reduced mobility; that the risk varies from person to person, with some being at particular risk; and that DVT risk factors have a cumulative effect. The study looked at two possible risk factors, but there are many more, including pregnancy, HRT, previous blood clots, a history of cancer, recent surgery, being over 40, and being tall, short or overweight.

What is the overall risk of DVT? Symptomless clots that clear up and go away have been found in as many as one in 10 long-haul air travellers. The Department of Health estimates the rate of overt DVT to be one per 6,000 journeys. The death rate from pulmonary embolism, DVT's potentially lethal complication, is small (estimated at one per two million arriving international passengers in Australia).

These are not rates that will induce any of us to tear up our air tickets and stay at home, but they nonetheless have an important impact on fit, healthy air travellers, often in their prime.

Recent rulings in the Appeal Court and House of Lords have confirmed that, regardless of its cause, airlines cannot be liable under present legislation for injury or death from DVT and its complications. Secure in this knowledge, the airlines should now do much more to inform and protect their passengers. If they fail, they will justly invite much tighter regulation in future.

Low pressure and low oxygen factors in DVT and long flights

Low pressure and low oxygen factors in DVT and long flights

Researchers say that the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during flights may not be due simply to sitting still; they say the low pressure and low oxygen environment during air travel may also contribute to the development of deep vein thrombosis in some susceptible individuals.

Professor Rosendaal concludes that "Activation of coagulation [clotting] occurs in some individuals after an 8 hour flight, indicating an additional mechanism to immobilisation underlying air travel related thrombosis."

However other experts insist that prolonged immobilisation in a sitting position plays an important role in provoking thrombosis and this applies to trips by train or car as well.
They continue to recommend exercising during flights, wearing compression stockings, and avoiding excess alcohol and sedatives.

Understanding the killer legs - DVT

DVT - Understanding the killer legs:

"SIXTY-year-old Steve was looking forward to see his grandchildren in Duluth, Minnesota. His wife, Marianne, died two years ago, and so he had to travel alone - all the way from Manila to Nagoya, Japan and then to Minnesota.

Steve never made it. He apparently died of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that reached his lungs. He collapsed in St. Paul/Minneapolis airport after complaining of breathing difficulties due to what has been dubbed 'economy class syndrome.' "

New Support Socks for Men

Samson Classic Dress Support Socks for Men

Features and Benefits:
• Stylish pattern – looks just like a dress sock
• Ultra-soft threads – provide a super soft feel
• Bubble toe – provides extra room in the toe area to prevent constriction
• Reinforced heel – for increased durability
• Multiple color options – including new Khaki
• 15-20 mmHg compression – provides superior support to help prevent tired, achy legs

more info at Healthy Legs

DVT awareness

MSN Video:

DVT awareness
March 3: Melanie Bloom, the widow of NBC reporter David Bloom, talks with 'Today' show host Katie Couric about DVT, the condition that led to his death while he was on assignment in Iraq."

Coalition to Prevent DVT

Coalition to Prevent DVT

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower limbs. A complication of DVT, pulmonary embolism, can occur when a fragment of a blood clot breaks loose from the wall of the vein and migrates to the lungs, where it blocks a pulmonary artery or one of its branches.

Diabetes - Taking Care of Your Feet

Diabetes - Taking Care of Your Feet


Great summary article from the FDA Consumer magazine
March-April 2006

Naturopathic Care For Varicose Veins

Naturopathic Care For Varicose Veins

There are a number of factors that play a part in the development of varicose veins including heredity, gender, lifestyle, occupation and age. They are also known to form during pregnancy due to the dilating effect progesterone has on the veins. Because they are associated with lack of circulation, the formation of varicose veins is more common in people who sit or stand in one position for long periods of time, habitually sit with their legs crossed and those who lack regular exercise.

Minimally Invasive Approach to Varicose Veins

Minimally Invasive Approach to Varicose Veins:

"Using a new system that delivers laser energy through a catheter, Duke University Medical Center vascular surgeons are now treating varicose veins without surgery. In most cases, patients are up and walking within hours after the minimally invasive procedure, compared to a six-week recovery after traditional surgery, in which the treated veins are 'stripped' out of the leg."

Uncovering the Myths About Varicose Veins

Uncovering the Myths About Varicose Veins

This is the time of year to "think spring" and to look forward to warmer weather and spring wardrobes. And when you think about spring, you know that summer is just around the corner. But for many people with varicose veins, the thought of putting on a pair of shorts or a swimsuit not only means feeling embarrassed about the appearance of their legs, but also reminds them of the pain that varicose veins can cause.

More To Varicose Veins Than You Might Think

More To Varicose Veins Than You Might Think

According to the Mayo Clinic Web site (www.mayoclinic.com) this condition can sometimes lead to more serious problems, because varicose veins "may also signal a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system."

How Are Varicose Veins Treated?

How Are Varicose Veins Treated?

Removing or treating varicose veins does not cause circulation problems because veins can re-route themselves around a blockage.
Treatments for varicose veins include:
Compression stockings
Injection therapy
Surgery
Laser therapy
Closure technique
Treatment of ulcers

The Doctors Book of Home Remedies Varicose Veins

The Doctors Book of Home Remedies Varicose Veins

Most people don't even see varicose veins as a disease—they think of them only as something cosmetic. But this is far from the case. "People with varicose veins have a disease, a disease with a cosmetic aspect," says Brian McDonagh, M.D., a Chicago, Illinois, phlebologist (vein specialist) and founder and director of Vein Clinics of America.

Foot Care - American Diabetes Association

Foot Care - Your Body's Well Being - American Diabetes Association

Inspect your feet every day, and seek care early if you do get a foot injury. Make sure your health care provider checks your feet at least once a year - more often if you have foot problems. Your health care provider should also give you a list and explain the do's and don'ts of foot care. Most people can prevent any serious foot problem by following some simple steps. So let's begin taking care of your feet

Diabetes: Foot Care

Diabetes: Foot Care -- familydoctor.org

Why do I have to worry more about my feet?

People with diabetes often have trouble with their feet. Part of the problem is that the loss of feeling in your feet makes it hard for you to tell if you have a blister or sore. If little sores aren't taken care of, they can get worse and turn into ulcers (serious, deep sores). If these ulcers become infected, you may have to go to the hospital or, in very serious cases, have a foot amputated (removed). This handout will give you some tips on how to care for your feet.

Varicose Veins: Prevention Tips from iVillage

Varicose Veins: Prevention:

"You can't help being a woman, having been born into a family that suffers from varicose veins, or even getting older. But there are a few things you can do to head off varicose veins or keep them from becoming more prominent, swollen, and distorted"

Urban Legends - Bar of Soap for Leg Cramps: Old Wives' Tales (Soap Dope)

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Old Wives' Tales (Soap Dope)

Slipping a bar of soap into the bed as a leg cramp prevention has been advanced by a number of authorities, both medical and otherwise. Ann Landers has mentioned the soap cure in her column on a number of occasions, with each airing prompting a load of letters from readers thanking her for this information because it worked wonders for them. "They were thrilled and grateful to be liberated from those leg cramps," said Ms. Landers.

Mediven Support Hose and Leg Health - Google Video

Mediven Support Hose and Leg Health - Google Video

This short education video provides an understanding of how venous disease in the legs occurs and why. Venous disease of the leg can be effectively treated with support hose. In the U.S., 1 of 15 people has venous disease of the legs. Over 2 million workdays are lost in the U.S. each year because of venous disease.

Healthy Legs is the leading online supplier of support hose.
Our certified fitters provide assistance in helping you find the correct product.

We carry every style, size and color of Jobst, Sigvaris, Mediven, and Juzo support hose, support stockings, support hosiery, and gradient compression hosiery. For more information: http://healthylegs.com

For more leg health information: http://leghealth.com

Healthy Legs Community Forum

Healthy Legs Community Forum

A place to learn and share for support hose wearers.

Economy Class Syndrome - Travel Socks and Leg Health

Economy Class Syndrome - Travel Socks and Leg Health

Travel Can Be Tough on Your Legs

Whether you travel my plane, train, automobile, or bus, any trip that lasts more than a few hours could leave your legs swollen and achy. And if you travel for a long period of time (5 hours or more), the problem can become more serious.

So why is travel so hard on legs?
When you travel, you're essentially confined to your seat. Sitting in tight, cramped quarters for long periods of time does not allow you to stretch or exercise your leg muscles - the muscles that are responsible for assisting the venous blood flow back to your heart. As the hours of inactivity add up, your circulation slows down.

You may notice swelling, discomfort, or even pain in your legs, ankles, and feet. The longer you ride without exercising or stretching, the worse you may feel.

But swollen and achy legs are just one part of the problem. Travelers need to be aware of, and take measures against, a more serious condition called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Diabetic Socks - Diabetic Sock Store for Comfort and Health

Diabetic Socks - Diabetic Sock Store for Comfort and Health

Diabetic Socks - Comfortable Socks for Sensitive Feet
U.S. Diabetes Statistics:
An estimated 18.2 million people in the Unites States have diabetes6.3% of the population — have diabetes. Diagnosed: 13.0 million people Undiagnosed: 5.2 million people
About 60% to 70 % of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve damage
Nerve damage is the major cause of foot problems in diabetics, as it inhibits the ability to feel pain, allowing some foot injuries to go undetected, which can lead to infection and occasionally amputation
More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes
Most diabetics can avoid serious foot problems by taking care of their feet, following a daily routine of care
In 2000-2001, about 82,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed annually among people with diabetes.
Healthy Legs - Diabetic Socks -

Solutions for Sensitive Feet

We have the largest online selection of diabetic socks and socks for sensitive feet. Below you'll find seamless socks, loose, non-binding socks, cotton socks, and diabetic socks with mild support - our Sensifoot socks from Jobst. All of these styles have been designed for people with sensitive feet due to diabetes, arthritis, and foot pain.

Although these socks are often labeled "Diabetic Socks", we prefer to refer to them as our socks with a purpose - comfort!

Leg Health Information from Healthy Legs

Leg Health Information from Healthy Legs

Healthy Legs® is a Jobst, Mediven, Sigvaris, and Juzo Certified Support Hose Retail Fitting Center located in Portland, Oregon.

Google's New Medical Executive Director

Official Google Blog: Google.org's new director

Google is extremely fortunate to have found in Dr. Brilliant the combination of experience in building and scaling successful programs and ventures in the fields of medicine, philanthropy and technology.

Venous Leg Ulcers - a guide for patients and care givers - Google Video

Venous Leg Ulcers - a guide for patients and care givers - Google Video:

"What causes venous leg ulcers?

How can they be healed?

What can be done to prevent them?

In this video you'll learn that, under the care of a health care professional's direct supervision, daily self-care by the patient can play an important role in helping to heal most venous leg ulcers andkeep many from coming back

Venous disease of the leg can be effectively treated with support hose.

In the U.S., 1 of 15 people has venous disease of the legs. Over 2 million workdays are lost in the U.S. each year because of venous disease.

Healthy Legs Support Hose has every style, size, and color of Jobst, Sigvaris, Medi, and Juzo support hose.

Healthy Legs is the leading online supplier of support hose. Our certified fitters provide assistance in helping you find the correct product.

We carry every style, size and color of Jobst, Sigvaris, Mediven, and Juzo support hose, support stockings, support hosiery, and gradient compression hosiery.

For more information: http://healthylegs.com

For more leg health information: http://leghealth.com "

Support Hose - Measuring your legs for Sigvaris, Medi, and Juzo - Google Video

Support Hose - Measuring your legs for Sigvaris, Medi, and Juzo - Google Video:

"A short educational video on how to measure your legs for knee high support hose.

Venous disease of the leg can be effectively treated with support hose.

In the U.S., 1 of 15 people has venous disease of the legs. Over 2 million workdays are lost in the U.S. each year because of venous disease.

Healthy Legs Support Hose has every style, size, and color of Sigvaris, Medi, and Juzo support hose.

Healthy Legs is the leading online supplier of support hose. Our certified fitters provide assistance in helping you find the correct product.
We carry every style, size and color of Jobst, Sigvaris, Mediven, and Juzo support hose, support stockings, support hosiery, and gradient compression hosiery.

For more information: http://healthylegs.com

For more leg health information: http://leghealth.healthylegs.com "

COMPRESSION STOCKINGS - Google Video

COMPRESSION STOCKINGS - Google Video

New research shows that compression stockings can prevent serious complications of blood clots in the legs. This two-minute video clip throws light on the issue. The medical term for her condition is deep venous thrombosis, or DVT. T

he big concern with DVT is that if left untreated, the clot can travel to the heart and then to the lungs and block off blood flow to the lungs. This problem is called pulmonary embolus. The compression stockings provide a graduated pressure that is firmer at the bottom and looser at the top to help improve blood flow back to the heart. In the study, 49 percent of the patients who did not use the compression stockings developed post thrombotic syndrome, compared to only 25 percent of the patients who did use the compression stockings.

DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis - Google Video

DVT_Deep Vein Thrombosis - Google Video

DVT is a blood clot in your legs that can break loose and travel to your lungs. Up to 200,000 people die each year from its complications. My husband, David Bloom, was one of them. While on assignment in Iraq, David died from complications related to DVT. But the risk of DVT can be reduced. Know the risk factors and warning signs. Visit http://www.preventdvt.org/ to get the facts.

VARICOSE VEINS NEW TREATMENT - Google Video

VARICOSE VEINS NEW TREATMENT - Google Video:

"The Trivex procedure is a minimally invasive technique to remove varicose veins. Find out more in this two-minute video clip. The operation requires at most 3 or 4mm incisions per leg.

A probe fitted with a light is placed into one incision. This illuminates the varicose veins in a particular area under the skin allowing the surgeon to see the veins with complete clarity. Then the veins are approached from another very short incision with a device much like a rotating blade that vacuums them up. Because all veins are visualized with the assistance of light, patients will receive a more complete removal of varicose veins which also lowers the chance of recurrence.

The procedure which usually takes less than a half hour has patients back on their feet relatively soon. "

VARICOSE VEIN UPDATE - Google Video

VARICOSE VEIN UPDATE - Google Video:

"The new treatment for varicose veins is a minimally-invasive procedure already proven to work in the major veins of the legs- that researchers are saying can be adapted for the minor ones as well, which account for roughly 20% of all cases. Find out more about it in his two-minute video clip.

It's an adapted endovenous laser procedure in which the patient is placed under local anesthetic and the laser is introduced directly into the vein, then the vein is sealed. The object is to stop the pooling of blood and the stretching of the vessels which causes varicose veins. Says Dr. Robert Min, an interventional radiologist and Director of Cornell Vascular, who pioneered the endovenous laser procedure, Over 99% of our patients have experienced symptomatic relief, which happens very quickly, over the first month."

Support Hose Personal Shopper

Healthy Legs Support Hose Personal Shopper

What is it?
It’s a free service performed for you by our certified fitters.

How does it work?
You tell us about your leg health by filling out our brief online questionnaire, and our certified fitters do all the work.

Fill out our quick and easy online questionnaire by clicking the above link.

You will receive an email with direct links to the support hose recommended by our Certified Fitters.

Only at Healthy Legs ®

Support Hose Wizard

Healthy Legs Support Hose Wizard

Can't find the right support hose?

Easy to use - find the exact solution to your support hose needs.

Try other brands - use our support hose wizard to find alternatives to your existing brand and style.

Online Video - Healthy Legs Support Hose Store in Portland Oregon - Google Video

Healthy Legs Support Hose Store in Portland Oregon - Google Video

Visit the Healthy Legs store online.

Leg Health Information from Google

Official Google Blog: Attention, frequent flyers

Googlers aren't the only ones to spend time on planes – many people suffer the effects of "Economy Class Syndrome."

Here are some tips even for flying veterans – or for that matter, those taking long road, train or bus trips, as similar advice applies.