This March marks the seventh annual Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month.
DVT is a life threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs.
Travelers are especially in danger of developing DVT.
Keep reading to find out more about the hazards, symptoms and what you can do to reduce your risk for DVT.
Some of the biggest risk factors include long airplane flights, dehydration and restricted mobility, which is why it's sometimes called "economy-class syndrome."
In April of 2003, Melanie Bloom's husband David, a news correspondent for NBC, died at age 39 from complications of DVT while covering the war in Iraq.
Since then, Melanie has served as the National Patient Spokesperson on behalf of the Coalition to Prevent DVT and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of how serious the condition can be.
Melanie Bloom will be talking about DVT on Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio this weekend--check out the guest list here.
What makes DVT potentially deadly is the risk of developing a pulmonary embolism, which is when a fragment of the blood clot breaks loose and migrates to the lungs.
To make matters trickier, you may not even know if you have DVT. As many as half of all cases produce minimal symptoms or are completely "silent."
So how can you tell if you have it? Some warning signs are pain, swelling, tenderness or redness of the affected area. These symptoms are similar to muscle strains and skin infections, so make sure you visit your doctor for an official diagnosis.
The best ways for travelers to reduce their risk for DVT are to stretch, move around and drink plenty of water.
If you're about to board a long flight, make sure you take a vigorous walk before you get on the plane. Bring your own water bottle on the plane to help stay hydrated. You should also get up and walk around about once every hour, and when you do, stretch your calf muscles by standing on your toes several times to increase your circulation.
DVT, although serious, is preventable. The best ways are to adopt a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and a regular exercise program. If you feel you're at high risk because of the frequency of your travels or other factors, talk to your doctor about treatment and prevention options.
By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.
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