Experts: Deep vein thrombosis a risk on bus and train trips too

Experts: Deep vein thrombosis a risk on bus and train trips too TRAVEL NEWS tvnz.co.nz: "Experts: DVT not just a plane risk"



Deadly blood clots are just as likely to form from long-distance train and bus trips as they are from international air travel, experts have warned.
Australian vascular specialists have backed calls by Indian medics to increase understanding around the dangers of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in prolonged land travel.
The medics from India's Government Medical College write in the latest Medical Journal of Australia of a fresh case of a 35-year-old man who developed DVT after a 14-hour train journey in cramped conditions.
"Any journey of more than four hours poses a risk for DVT," Professor Jeet Kashyap wrote, with people who are overweight, pregnant or on the oral contraceptive carrying an even greater risk.
"This case highlights the importance of considering all types of prolonged travel as potential risk factors for DVT."
Robert Lusby, a professor of vascular surgery at the University of Sydney, said the risk of land travel on DVT was poorly understood by Australians.
"Australia is a very big country so the risk posed by DVT, particularly in long distance car and bus travel, is very real," Prof Lusby said.
He said he had treated several cases of DVT caused by long bus trips, "and it's very likely we match India with cases on our trains".
"The risk is there for any travel where you sit for long periods with your knees bent and a lack of movement, which is, of course, the case on most of the bigger trips across our country," Prof Lusby said.
Travel-related DVT, first identified in 1954, is the forming of leg clots caused by poor blood flow into the calf muscle.
Symptoms usually develop between one and eight weeks after a trip.
Professor Lusby said he advises people to stretch their legs wherever possible.
"On car journeys it's important to make the effort to stop and get out every hour or so just to get the blood circulating properly," he said.

Compression socks have style : Local Health : Evansville Courier Press

Compression socks have style

NEW YORK — For students in the fashion program at Parsons The New School of Design, beauty is more than skin deep: They recently staged a full-on runway show, complete with celebrity models, to draw attention to deep-vein thrombosis.

They weren't working on coming up with the sexiest, most fashion-forward items. They weren't even really going for fashion.

Instead their show was a competition to see who could create the funkest, eye-catching sock.
Yes, a sock.
With dozens of ribbon colors and rubber wrist-band styles already taken in the name of dozens of worthy causes, those looking to garner support and publicity for their issues now find they need to look to novel concepts.
And just finding a cool symbol isn't good enough. It also needs to be easily transferrable to a wide range of products and different kinds of marketing media, making it truly identifiable in a single glance.
Working with the Coalition to Prevent DVT, Parsons students tackled socks because wearing compression socks can prevent deadly blood clots from forming in the legs, says Melanie Bloom, coalition spokeswoman, and wife of NBC newsman David Bloom, who died of a DVT-induced pulmonary embolism while covering the Iraq War in 2003.

Get in Step With Summer Foot Care - US News and World Report

Get in Step With Summer Foot Care - US News and World Report:

"Myth: Flats, flip-flops and going barefoot are good for your feet.
Fact: 'This is a common misconception, because we always hear about the problems with high heels,' Vlahovic said in a prepared statement. 'But these three present their own types of problems.' Flip-flops provide no support, which can cause plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains and tendonitis. Wearing flats can lead to severe heel pain and blisters, crowding toes and conditions such as hammertoes and bunions. Walking barefoot leaves feet open to cuts, scrapes, bruises, and puncture wounds along with skin issues or nail injuries."

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Can Your Socks Make You Faster?

Joe Friel's Blog: Can Your Socks Make You Faster?: "This was the Year of the Compression Sock at the Hawaii Ironman. In past years they were evident, but this year they seemed to be every where. The accompanying picture of these elastic stockings was taken in Kona on race day. The users say they improve their performance by…

* improving venous return to the heart,
* preventing muscles from moving unnecessarily as with excess vibration meaning less fatigue, and
* speeding recovery.

They also claim that wearing them on long flights as when going to Hawaii reduces leg and foot swelling due to fluids pooling in legs.

Elastic compression stockings have been around for a long time and used in the treatment of several leg conditions such as blood clotting in deep veins (“thrombosis”) and faulty valves in the veins with weakened vein walls (“varicose veins”). The research generally supports their use for such injuries, but do they improve athletic performance such as the claims made above?"

DVT because of inactivity?

Terry's Tidbits: My Wake Up Call

Possibly my week of watching college basketball was not very good for me, although I am on my feet all day while at work. I am not the most active person when away from work and I will be the first to admit that I am overweight. I don’t recall injuring my leg; however I am always bumping it against something at home or at work. My dad also has a history of blood clots that started when he was about my age. I suppose the cause for my blood clot could be any combination of these.

The blood clot should dissolve on its own. There are things I can do to lessen my chances or to prevent another blood clot. Now, I will probably wearing support stockings or compression socks for the rest of my life. I will also be taking blood thinners such as coumadin or warfarin. My other big lifestyle change will include walking regularly to get exercise and stimulate circulation.

Vital Signs - Risks - Study Ties Dirty Air to Blood Clots in Legs - NYTimes.com

Vital Signs - Risks - Study Ties Dirty Air to Blood Clots in Legs - NYTimes.com: "Exposure to air pollution increases the risk for deep vein thrombosis, the blood clots that commonly occur in the leg veins. And the worse the air pollution, the higher the risk."

Driving you to Danger - Preventing Blood Clots (DVT) During Long Trips

This short online video shows the effects of long travel trips and causes of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots. See LegHealth.com for more details. Prevention of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and Blood Clots During Long Trips

Online Interactive Tool for Support Hose - What Level of Compression is Right for You?

What Level of Compression is Right for You?

New - from Healthy Legs.  We can help you determine the correct level of
gradient compression for your support hose.

Nurses track their mileage in Support Hose

Nurses track their mileage in Support Hose(HometownAnnapolis.com)

A few times a week, Irine Devroude slips on her sneakers and prepares for a long bout of stretching and cardio.
But Ms. Devroude isn't going to the gym, she's heading to her shift at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. The nurse spends her 12-hour shifts navigating the 46-bed unit on the second floor of the main building. The task requires daily treks to the pharmacy and lab, and assisting patients on other floors.
So it came as no surprise to the Crofton resident when she wore a pedometer and noticed that she walked about 4 to 6 miles each shift. On a particularly brutal day, she walked 9 miles, the most she's ever done.

"Unfortunately, our floors are concrete," Ms. Devroude said. "The first thing I've been doing from day one is wearing support hose. For that reason, it keeps my legs from being that much more tired."

Ms. Devroude and other nurses at BWMC wore pedometers for a 2-week period this year to see how much walking they get in. Many nurses logged 3 to 6 miles in an eight-hour shift. Nurses who work 12-hour shifts walk even more. Anne Arundel Medical Center did a similar effort with its nurses last year.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended walking as a good form of exercise, along with common chores such as gardening and washing cars.

For a month in 2003, researchers surveyed the walking habits of nearly 150 nurses working 12-hour shifts. It found that the nurses walked 4 to 5 miles per 12-hour shift, and 1/3 to 1/2 of a mile per hour worked, according to results published in the August 2006 issue of MedSurg Nursing, the Journal of Adult Health.

The article also cited an ongoing study on nurses' health and found that those who are ages 40 to 65 experienced reduced diabetes and stroke. Yet the constant walking could also accelerate fatigue and exacerbate underlying muscle injuries, according to the study.

At AAMC's emergency room, the movement is constant and the brands of shoes are abundant. The nurses wore Birkenstocks, Danskos, sneakers or whatever makes them the most comfortable. Nurse Sally Grimm opts for Danskos.

"A typical (registered nurse) in this department would walk from one end to the other at least multiple times every day," said Ms. Grimm, a clinical educator. "It's what we do and we try to develop a system that will make us efficient about where we walk. The bottom line is, you have to get to point A and point B and you have to do it a lot."

The work of BWMC nurse Debbie Russell takes her around the campus, sometimes to four buildings. She works in the hospital's breast program and aids patients who are being treated for breast cancer, from diagnosis to surgery and radiology. She averages 4 miles per shift, but her most has been 7 miles.

Ms. Russell takes her own precautions for walking. She opts for sneakers and usually replaces them every 6 months.

She also wears sunscreen and a hat when she has to go outside during warmer weather. As if the constant walking wasn't enough, Ms. Russell also does yoga when she isn't working.

"I make sure that when I can sit down, I do sit down," said Ms. Russell, of Odenton. "(But) my calves are in good shape."

New Website from Healthy Legs® Support Hose for Men and Women

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The Sheboygan Press - Ask the Trainer: Type II diabetic needs advice on exercise program

The Sheboygan Press - Ask the Trainer: Type II diabetic needs advice on exercise
program:

"Before putting on the shoes, check for pebbles or other small objects inside
that could cause problems.
Smooth
socks should be worn during exercise and changed after a workout to prevent
health issues. Sweaty socks increase the chance of getting athlete's foot. Feet
are to be checked daily for scratches, cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails, corns,
and calluses. Immediately contact a doctor for ingrown toenails, athlete's foot,
and cuts or sores that are not healing."

Pregnancy and Work Can Work - washingtonpost.com

Pregnancy and Work Can Work - washingtonpost.com:


"If sitting for a long time during travel, try to get up for a walk at least once an hour to decrease your risk of forming blood clots in your legs. Also, consider wearing support or pressure stockings."

Foot Pain As A Result Of Gardening, By Board-Certified Podiatrist | Bones Health

Foot Pain As A Result Of Gardening, By Board-Certified Podiatrist | Bones Health

Many gardeners will experience foot pain this season as a result of overlooking the needs of their feet. But a few minutes of preparation and good common sense can keep gardeners comfortable all season.


“Gardening is an exertive weight-bearing activity and should be considered a sport rather than a passive hobby,” said Dr. Paul R. Kasdan, a board-certified podiatrist and medical director for OurHealthNetwork.com. “As with any sport, one should make sure to wear appropriate foot gear, and to properly stretch before engaging in the activity.”


During weight-bearing activities or sports, the feet play an important role in supporting weight, balancing stance to reduce falls, and movement. They also act as shock absorbers. Foot problems commonly associated with weight-bearing activities like gardening are usually due to wearing inappropriate footgear, or the lack of proper warm-up exercises.


“To always be pain-free, the feet must be encased in the proper shoes and socks. If the shoes do not provide proper support and cushioning, then the feet lose efficiency and problems eventually occur,” Dr. Kasdan said.

Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT

Video from the Today Show with Melanie Bloom discussing ways to prevent DVT.
Great summary of DVT risk factors. More information at
PreventDVT.org

About DVT
Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common but serious medical condition that occurs in approximately two million Americans each year. DVT occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation. The condition may result in health complications, such as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and even death if not diagnosed and treated effectively.

The best way to reduce your risk of DVT is to talk to your doctor about your risks, especially if you have cancer or certain heart or respiratory diseases.

NASA Assists With Circulation Problems

A Mars Odyssey » Blog Archive » NASA Assists With Circulation Problems

“People, primarily women, between the ages of 35 and 50 might experience cold feet, night cramps, leg and buttock pain while walking and general pain and swelling in the legs,” said Les Lindsay, Director of the Future Wellbeing clinic in Bicester. “This is often an indication of a developing circulation problem which, if untreated, can significantly worsen potentially requiring surgery down the line.