Sitting for too long can put you at the risk of this serious health condition

 Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news

Not moving enough can put you at risk​

If you find yourself spending a lot of time sitting still in a small area, you need to be aware. Your chance of getting a blood clot rises as you remain sedentary for a longer period of time. Any traveler who spends more than four hours in a vehicle, including a plane, car, bus, or train, is susceptible to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is another name for blood clots.

How critical can thrombosis be?​

Blood clots can happen to anyone who travels for more than four hours, whether they do so by plane, automobile, bus, or train. It can form in the calf veins of your legs during travel because you are sitting still in a confined space for long periods of time. However, a serious health situation can occur when a part of the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it may be fatal.

Dr. Raghuram Sekhar Consultant, vascular and endovascular surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai, says, “The good news is there are things you can do to protect your health and reduce your risk of blood clots during periods of prolonged sitting such as during travel.”

These factors can increase your risk for blood clots​

Most people who develop blood clots have one or more other risks for blood clots, such as:
Obesity
Older age (risk increases after age 40)

Recent surgery or injury (within 3 months)

Use of estrogen-containing contraceptives

 .Hormone replacement therapy (medical treatment in which hormones are given to reduce the effects of menopause)

Pregnancy and the postpartum period (up to 3 months after childbirth)

Previous blood clot or a family history of blood clots

Active cancer or recent cancer treatment

Limited mobility (for example, a leg cast)

Varicose veins

Recognizing the symptoms​

About 50% of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The following are the most common symptoms of clots that occur in the affected part of the body (leg/arm/lungs)

1. Swelling of the leg or arm

2. Pain or tenderness that you can’t explain

3. Pulmonary Embolism: Breathlessness of recent origin

How to protect yourself and reduce your risk of blood clots during sedentary periods​

Move your legs frequently when on long trips and exercise your calf muscles to improve the flow of blood.

If you’ve been sitting for a long time, take a break to stretch your legs. Pulling each knee up toward the chest and holding it there with your hands on your lower leg for 15 seconds, and repeating up to 10 times during prolonged sedentary periods helps to improve the flow of blood in your legs.

If you are at risk, talk with your doctor to learn more about how to prevent blood clots. For instance, wearing progressive compression stockings may help some people.