Dear All,
 
Nigeria is presently mourning one of her sensational music artiste Susan Harvey known as ‘Goldie’ who allegedly died on Thursday, 14th February from a health condition called DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS( DVT)
 
This is indeed the right time to talk about the Causes & Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis which unfortunately is a deadly health condition prevalent in Nigeria.
About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVT happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. DVT is most common in the deep veins of your lower leg (calf). It can also develop in the deep veins in your thigh and, more rarely, in other deep veins, such as the ones in your arm or pelvis. Deep veins pass through the centre of your leg and are surrounded by a layer of muscle.



Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Blood  clots can partly or completely block the blood flow in your vein and cause symptoms in your affected leg or arm such as:

swelling
pain and tenderness - you may also find it difficult to stand properly with your full weight on the affected leg
a change in the colour of your skin, for example, redness
skin that feels warm or hot to the touch
a mild fever
Although these symptoms may not be caused by DVT, if you have these symptoms you should visit your GP for advice.
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
You are more likely to get a DVT if you:
are a woman taking a contraception pill that contains oestrogen, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
are pregnant or have recently had a baby
smoke
are immobile, for example, if you have had an operation (especially on your hip or knee) or are bed bound
have had a blood clot in a vein before
have a family history of blood clots in veins
have an inherited condition causing your blood to clot more easily (this is called thrombophilia)
are very overweight (obese)
have cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease or other long-term illnesses
have a condition where your blood is at a higher risk of clotting than normal (antiphospholipid syndrome)
are travelling for long distances and aren’t able to move your legs
Travel risks
There is evidence that long-haul flights (lasting over four hours) can increase your risk of developing DVT. The risk is mainly the result of sitting down for long periods of time, which can happen during any form of long-distance travel, whether by car, bus, train or air.
Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
There are things you can do to reduce your risk, such as stopping smoking if you smoke, or losing weight if you're overweight. Regular walking can help to improve the circulation in your legs and help to prevent another DVT from developing. If you have had a DVT, you can usually start walking once you get home from the hospital, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
If you're having surgery
Surgery and some medical treatments can increase your risk of developing DVT. So, if you're going to hospital for an operation, you will usually have an assessment to check your risk of developing DVT before you have your operation. There are many things that can be done to keep your risk of developing DVT during surgery as low as possible.
You may be given anticoagulant medicines before and after surgery, or be asked to wear compression stockings. You may also be given a mechanical pump to use on your feet and legs in the first few days after the operation. This is called an intermittent compression device. The pump automatically squeezes your feet and lower legs to help your blood circulate.
If you're travelling
If you have recently been treated for DVT, you should wait two weeks before travelling on longer journeys.
There are some steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing a blood clot on journeys of over four hours. For example, you should:
take short walks – if you're a passenger, walk up and down the aisle of the train or plane
exercise the muscles of your lower legs, which act as a pump for the blood in your veins – regularly bend and straighten your toes, ankles and legs
wear loose-fitting clothes
keep hydrated by making sure you drink enough water
not drink too much alcohol or too many drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee
not take sleeping tablets, as these will stop you keeping your legs active
wear compression stockings if you have other risk factors for DVT.
Always remember that your life is in your hands, unhealthy lifestyles would lead to premature death. It is very important to develop healthy lifestyle and always go for medical checkups . Not all cases of sudden death are caused by ‘spiritual bullets’
Best Regards

Ewwww