By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: DVT Awareness Month: What You Need to Know About the Potentially Fatal ‘Sitting Disease’
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > DVT Awareness Month: What You Need to Know About the Potentially Fatal ‘Sitting Disease’
SpecialtiesWellness

DVT Awareness Month: What You Need to Know About the Potentially Fatal ‘Sitting Disease’

Morgan Statt
Last updated: March 9, 2018 3:17 pm
Morgan Statt
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
Know the Risk FactorsBe Wary of These Common SymptomsWhat are the Treatment Options if You Develop DVT?Final Thoughts

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a type of blood clot that forms in the deep vein of a person’s body, typically in the leg or arm. Although any kind of blood clot poses its own risks, those that originate in deep veins have the potential to break off and travel to major organs in the body, such as the heart and lungs. If this occurs, the dislodged clot could block blood flow and cause death if not treated in time.

DVT is a condition that can strike anyone, no matter age, gender, or race. This March during DVT Awareness Month, make it a priority to educate yourself on the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options of the ‘Sitting Disease.”

Know the Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors that can contribute to the development of DVT, but the main ones associated with the condition include:

More Read

hearing loss
How To Cope With Hearing Loss
Diagnostic Reading #33: Five Must-Read Articles from the Past Week
Putting Physician Practices Into Context
How to Communicate with Patients When Words Won’t Work
Apps for Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention
  • Birth Control or Hormone Therapy – Many oral contraceptives contain estrogen, which increases the levels of clotting factors present in the body. Although estrogen does not directly cause blood clots, it can increase your risk by 3-4 times, making those on birth control more susceptible to DVT.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle – Sitting for extended periods of time, whether on a long flight or during a full day at the office, can put you at risk for DVT. With sedentary habits comes sluggish blood flow throughout the body, which speaks to the condition’s ‘Sitting Disease’ nickname.
  • Smoking – In addition to the added risk of lung cancer and other health problems, smoking also constricts the linings of blood vessels, making it easier for blood clots to form.

Be Wary of These Common Symptoms

Symptoms of DVT can often mimic other muscle-related injuries, such as pulls or strains, and should be quickly addressed if discomfort doesn’t subside. Consult your doctor if you have a prolonged experience of the following:

  • Swelling of the leg, ankle, or foot along a vein
  • Cramping that starts in the calf and spreads
  • Pain or tenderness in the leg that occurs either when standing or walking
  • Warmth along the leg

What are the Treatment Options if You Develop DVT?

The most common treatment options for DVT are anticoagulants, or blood thinners, that prevent existing clots from growing and new clots from forming. Blood thinners come with an inherent risk of severe bleeding, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons associated with each anticoagulant option to determine which one is right for you.

The different blood thinners used to treat DVT include:

  • Heparin – Given intravenously by injection, this anticoagulant tends to act quicker than oral medications to thin the blood. Because of this, heparin is often given to patients in addition to an oral anticoagulant until the oral medication begins to work.
  • Coumadin (warfarin) – This oral blood thinner has been on the market since 1954 and has a long history of being prescribed to patients. While on this anticoagulant, patients must carefully monitor their diets to avoid Vitamin K, a natural antidote of the medication that reverses the blood-thinning effects. Warfarin doses are also dependent on weekly blood tests to keep your blood’s clotting abilities within normal range.
  • Xarelto (rivaroxaban) – This newer oral anticoagulant comes with the convenience factor of no diet changes or weekly blood draws, making it an appealing choice. However, the medication was approved in 2011 without an antidote to reverse its blood-thinning effects, and severe internal bleeding incidents and deaths have been attributed to the medication. Despite still being on the market, there are thousands of Xarelto lawsuits against its manufacturer. It is imperative to consider your lifestyle and weigh the serious risks to determine if this anticoagulant is your best option.

In addition to blood thinners, patients may also be advised to wear medical grade compression stockings designed to treat DVT. It is typical for patients to wear these stockings for up to two years to reduce swelling and prevent the development of more clots.

Final Thoughts

Deep-Vein Thrombosis can happen to anyone, even if you’re an active and healthy individual. Be mindful of any medications you’re taking that could make you more susceptible to blood clots, and consult your doctor if you experience even minor out-of-the-ordinary symptoms. It may be the one thing that spares you from a potentially fatal complication.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

eye mask to improve sleep
Wellness

Why It Is Important to Have a Deep Sleep and How Eye Masks Can Help

April 5, 2022
Dental healthSpecialties

The Future Of Dental Technology And Innovation

August 7, 2020

Recommended Vaccines for Seniors

October 11, 2012
Image
CardiologyWellness

Cardiac Rehab: Help After a Heart Attack

February 14, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?