Deep Vein Thrombosis

You may have read about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in the newspapers recently. It is a serious problem, which occurs when blood clots form inside the veins in your legs. These blood clots are usually formed because of a combination of 3 factors:

Changes in your blood chemistry: Certain drugs can make your blood more viscous (sticky). The contraceptive pill is known to have this effect.
Trauma or damage to a vein: Damage to the structure of your veins: In particular, any damage to the one-way swing doors in your veins’ valves, (your vein valve cusps), makes you more vulnerable.
Stasis: Stasis is a lack of movement. This can happen when someone is sitting in a restricted space for a long time, such as in economy class on a plane during a long haul flight. When you're sitting still the muscles in the legs, which – as you move about – help the blood return from your legs to your heart, cannot work effectively.

DVT and compression stockings and socks

When travelling: Scholl make Flight Socks, available from your local pharmacy, to help protect your legs when travelling. For more information about Flight Socks, visit www.Schollflightsocks.com.
Preventing post-thrombotic syndrome: If you have had a DVT in your leg, whatever the cause, you are at risk of a condition known as post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The symptoms include discolouration of your skin, discomfort and swelling. Left untreated, a leg affected by PTS may develop a venous ulcer. Wearing compression stockings and socks has been shown to be a very effective way of preventing post-thrombotic syndrome.