|
Travel Health Deep-Vein Thrombosis which is also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT and colloquially as economy class syndrome is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It commonly affects the leg veins, such as the femoral vein or the popliteal vein or the deep veins of the pelvis. It may affect travellers sitting for long periods of time.
Figure 1: Deep Vein Thrombosis
Symptoms
 Many blood clots that occur in DVT are small and may not cause any symptoms. Your body will usually able to break them down without long terms effects
However, larger clots may block the blood flow in the vein and will cause symptoms on the affected leg such as:
|
|
People at Risk
- More than 40 years old
- Very tall
- Obese
- Immobile
- Had a recent surgery
- Had blood clots in veins before
- Family history of blood clots in veins
- Have certain blood diseases
- Cancer patients and undergoing cancer treatment
- Those with circulation problems or heart failure
- Women who:
- Take contraceptive pills containing oestrogen
- Under hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Are pregnant
- Have recently delivered a baby
- Have a history of miscarriage
Treatment
Medicines
- Anticoagulant medicines such as heparin and warfarin are the most common treatments for DVT where they alter chemicals in your blood to stop clots forming so easily
- Thrombolytic medicines work by dissolving blood clots
Compression stockings
- Also known as graduated compression stockings
- To relieve pain and swelling
- To prevent post-thrombotic syndrome
- You may need to wear them for two years or more after having a DVT.
|
|