Most expats travel on planes a lot and we all spend a lot of time in front of PC’s some of us working others chatting with family believe it or not this is the breeding ground for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
The majority of us are aware that we should exercise frequently. However, many of us overlook this essential fact as a result of our lifestyles. Lack of time is frequently cited as the cause, however this is usually only an excuse and a convenient escape. Regular physical activity has been shown to lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes, a variety of cardiovascular conditions, and several cancers. Regular exercise just needs 30 minutes a day to reap the benefits, which are felt both immediately and over time.
How does DVT affect people?
Blood clots can form for a number of causes, but DVTs are frequently caused by impaired circulation. Once more, there may be a variety of contributing variables, such as artery thickening or constriction brought on by aging or poor overall health. Exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular health and circulation, considerably lowering your risk of having DVT. But even physically active people are susceptible to blood clots if they spend a lot of time stationary, such on a lengthy flight. In order to raise your heart rate and promote circulation, it is crucial to get up and walk about sometimes.
What makes routines so crucial?
Since we are naturally creatures of habit, humans can adjust to routines more easily. It is unquestionably applicable to exercising and aids in maintaining attention while providing advantages. It is usually better to start fresh the following day if you miss one, but resist the urge to wait “until Monday” as good habits can be easily destroyed. Choose a reasonable strategy early on, then follow it. It should be challenging and neither too simple nor too complex, as these can have a detrimental effect on your motivation.
The advantages of exercise in general
As we briefly mentioned in the beginning, regular exercise lowers your risk of contracting serious illnesses and ailments. But it also speeds up your recovery from common illnesses and helps you keep a healthy weight, build a healthier physique, lower your chance of falling, among other benefits. Exercise also aids in the release of hormones that improve mood, such as oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.
What kind of exercise should you get?
Of course, your goals will have a big impact on how much exercise you undertake. Although something is better than nothing, medical authorities will advise that you engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day to lower your risk of illness. Before beginning any type of physical activity, we advise checking with your doctor if you consider yourself to be a non-exerciser on a daily basis. Assuming there are no risks to your health from exercise, you should gradually increase to the desired levels.
Although recommendations differ from nation to country, it is generally agreed that the “little but often” strategy works well for the majority of individuals. You should strive to complete 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity per week. If you would rather engage in more strenuous activity, your daily aim should be 75 to 150 minutes. At least twice a week, make an effort to include a strength-building activity in your regimen.
How can I exercise more frequently than I now do?
The excuse that people don’t know how to boost their present fitness routine is frequently very pathetic. Walking or cycling to work is a fantastic option, albeit it may depend on where you live. As an alternative, you might board the BTS or MRT one stop earlier and walk the remaining distance, or you could walk with your kids to school. Bangkok has some lovely parks, which are great places to get away from the smog.
Does exercise lower the chance of deep vein thrombosis?
A blood clot that forms deep within the body, frequently in the legs, causes a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is dangerous and potentially fatal. In the event that the clot breaks free, it may go to the lungs, where it may cause a pulmonary embolism, which, if not promptly treated, can be fatal. Exercise increases blood flow by enhancing circulation and assisting in the relaxation of blood vessel walls. Free-flowing blood has a lower tendency to clot, which lowers your risk of getting a DVT.
Workouts for DVT
As we said above, keeping a regular exercise schedule will help to improve general health and wellbeing and lessen your risk of having DVT. There are some simple workouts you may perform to lower your risk if your employment involves a sedentary lifestyle, such as working in an office or traveling for long periods of time. Additionally, try to avoid crossing your legs because doing so might significantly affect your blood circulation. The following exercises can be done while seated:
Leg extensions involve keeping your thigh seated while raising one leg gradually until it is parallel to the floor and then lowering it once more. Then the other leg, and repeat.
Ankle pumps: lift your toes toward your shin while keeping your heel on the floor. Put the other foot down and repeat.
For two minutes, march seated while moving your legs as if you were walking, picking up the pace whenever you can. Aim to finish a workout once every hour.
Can someone with DVT exercise?
Although you should always see your doctor before doing any activity if you have a DVT, it is possible and frequently beneficial to do so. Venous insufficiency, a condition that may limit blood flow returning to the heart, can be made easier with exercise. It is advised to engage in aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or dancing. Building muscle, especially in the legs, will also aid in improving blood flow, which lowers the risk of clot formation and prevents existing clots from growing larger.
The majority of DVT patients regularly take medications like aspirin and blood thinners. Again, if you have questions about how this drug will affect your ability to exercise, talk to your doctor.
Warning Signs and Symptoms To Seek Medical Attention
If these symptoms present, medical assistance should be provided as soon as possible;
- Leg pain or swelling leg with tenderness, heavy feeling accompanying with cramping, irritation or itchiness.
- Spider veins or cords in the affected leg
- Swelling leg (particularly only one side) with unknown cause especially after extended immobilization e.g. long flight, long sitting in the car. More attention is needed in patients with underlying diseases e.g. diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
- Severe pain in the line of affected veins
- Static ulcer in the ankle, leathering-looking skin or chronic ulcer that does not heal.
We are not going to sugar coat this if you don’t have medical Insurance you are probably going to have a coronary when you get the bill from the Bangkok Hospitals, so you better make sure your current plan covers it get in touch today!
