What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 Posted in Health Tips, Travel
DVT is Deep Venous (Vein) Thrombosis, more commonly referred to as “economy class syndrome” in the media. Of late, DVT has gained accelerated notoriety in the world’s press as the general public’s awareness of the problem has became more prevalent.
The link between DVT and long haul air travel was first introduced in medical journals in the 1950s which highlighted the potential risk long periods of immobility during long haul flights presented.
Even today, there remains a great deal of ignorance surrounding DVT, despite the fact that more people are flying than ever before.
First and foremost, DVT is not a problem restricted to air travellers, and anyone travelling for prolonged distances by car, bus or train are at equal risk. There is, in fact, no real evidence to suggest that air travel is responsible for an increased likelihood for DVT over any other situation where the condition may be arising.
In short, DVT is a result of extended periods of immobility (flights lasting in excess of five hours) which can lead to the development of a blood clot.
DVT is most common in the lower limbs, whereby pain, swelling and discoloration of the affected region may occur. The leg may also show a congestion of superficial veins.
Unfortunately, these are only general symptoms and in the majority of cases, symptoms are hard to initially discern.
Clinical diagnosis of DVT is difficult, and a specialist is usually required to confirm diagnosis, as the symptoms of DVT can closely match a number of other medical conditions.
In extreme cases, a pulmonary embolism may occur, which is the result of small pieces of the clot detaching and being carried through the blood stream to the heart and lungs.
The product of an extensive clot in the leg, this may happen several days or hours after the formulation of the clot. This may result in chest pains, shortness of breath and even sudden death.
Our blood clots naturally as a means of protection against the severe blood loss from damage to veins and arteries. Blood is supposed to clot only when it is outside the blood vessel, however, in abnormal cases, the blood can clot while still in the blood vessel.
