DVT symptoms are, of course, signs of deep vein thrombosis. DVT is a form of potentially fatal blood clots that people sometimes suffer from after spending a great deal of time seated on a plane or, as New Zealand researchers also found, in their office.
Having just returned from a cross-continental flight, the thought of sitting in one place for hours at a time is still very fresh in my mind. You shift, you squirm, and you stretch — all in efforts to reduce the stress on your legs, though in most cases these measures are done in vain (no pun intended).
Doctors found that among patients with dangerous clots, 34 percent developed this condition from sitting too long at work, while 21 percent were air travelers (the remaining percentage was comprised of a variety of potential causes, including heredity).
In some cases, desk workers sometimes spent as much as 4 hours sitting before they stood up even once (sound familiar?). By doing so, the circulation in these workers' legs can be restricted, leading to clots and the potential threat of said clots traveling to the lungs.
DVT Symptoms
- Swelling in one or both of your legs
- Pain or discomfort in one or both of our legs, whether while sitting or standing/walking
- Skin that is warm to the touch of the affected leg(s)
- Skin that is red or discolored in the affected leg(s)
- Surface veins that are suddenly more noticeable
- General leg fatigue
The simple solution to preventing DVT in the first place, be you on a plane or simply at your desk at work, is to stand up once and a while and take a short walk. Go to the bathroom, hit the water cooler, or try actually talking to a co-worker in person, rather than electronically.
Even small breaks like these will greatly reduce the chances that you will suffer from DVT symptoms.
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