Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
By Robert Hasty D.O.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
College of Osteopathic Medicine

March was DVT Awareness Month. DVT stands for Deep Vein Thrombosis, which is blood clot that can form in your legs and potentially travel to your lungs and cause sudden death. DVTs are responsible for more deaths each year than Breast Cancer and Aids combined. Up to fifty percent of the time, DVTs produce little or no symptoms. Some risk factors include obesity, smoking, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, immobility, injuries, inflammatory diseases and inherited disorders.

Recently, Economy Class Syndrome has been associated as a significant cause of DVT. The American College of Chest Physicians has made the following recommendations to avoid DVTs in flights longer than 6 hours: Avoid constrictive clothing, calf muscle stretching, avoid dehydration. Your physician might recommend blood thinners or compression hose based on your risk factors and information.

For more information, call your physician or visit www.dvt.net.