Travel can be bad for your health

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Something to be aware of.

I found out the hard way while traveling to and from Peru.

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot (thrombus) in the deep venous system of the leg is not dangerous in itself. The situation becomes life-threatening when a piece of the blood clot breaks off (embolus, pleural=emboli), travels downstream through the heart into the pulmonary circulation system, and becomes lodged in the lung. Diagnosis and treatment of a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is meant to prevent pulmonary embolism.

Clots in the superficial veins do not pose a danger of causing pulmonary emboli because the perforator vein valves act as a sieve to prevent clots from entering the deep venous system. They are usually not at risk of causing pulmonary embolism.

What are the causes of deep vein thrombosis?

Blood is meant to flow; if it becomes stagnant there is a potential for it to clot. The blood in veins is constantly forming microscopic clots that are routinely broken down by the body. If the balance of clot formation and resolution is altered, significant clotting can occur. A thrombus can form if one, or a combination of the following situations is present:

Immobility

• Prolonged travel and sitting, such as long airplane flights ("economy class syndrome"), car, or train travel
  
  
• Hospitalization
  
  
• Surgery
  
  
• Trauma to the lower leg with or without surgery or casting
  
  
• Pregnancy, including 6-8 weeks post partum
  

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