The hidden killer in your leg
It's so easy to ignore aches and pains as we get older, but there's one type of pain that too many Americans are ignoring - and it's sending them to their graves.
Deep vein thrombosis is a clot that occurs in large veins, usually in the groin or leg, but sometimes in the pelvis or arm.
It can feel like a simple leg pain, but it can be deadly if the clot breaks off and moves to the lungs, where it blocks circulation. These clots are called pulmonary embolisms and they can be easily missed.
The Surgeon General's Office has launched an awareness campaign based on estimates that 350,000 to 600,000 Americans get these clots each year and more than 100,000 die.
You can be at particular risk of a DVT during a long trip, or if you are overweight, smoke or have suffered a recent physical trauma, such as surgery or a fall.
Docs watch for swelling and pain (especially in the calf) and discolored skin on the leg, which signal a DVT. Shortness of breath and pain when breathing deeply is a big red flag for a possible pulmonary embolism. This can mean that a piece of the clot in your leg has broken off and traveled to your lungs, where it interferes with normal breathing. These symptoms often get confused for other ailments.
If you have risk factors for developing DVT, avoid sitting for long periods of time and avoid crossing your legs and ankles when you do. Get regular exercise and don't be a hero when you experience leg pain, especially if it happens after a long car or plane trip.
Also, next time you see your doctor, ask him or her whether you have any risk factors for DVT, so that you can take reasonable precautions on your next trip.
A little vigilance really can save your life.
