Office Workers at a Higher Risk of DVT
Recent studies have found that one-third of the patients suffering from DVT are office workers. Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT is now popularly known as E-thrombosis as it is mostly found in those office workers who sit glued to their computers for long hours. It is mainly caused due to lack of movement. When people sit for a long time in one place, the legs become cramp and the blood circulation gets reduced.
DVT is the clotting of blood in a deep vein, especially in the lower leg, which, if not treated can cause death. These clots can reach the heart, lungs or brain and can cause breathlessness or stroke. The symptoms are pain, swelling, red coloration and dilated surface veins appearing on the skin. The pain and swelling will be experienced in the calf. It is considered to be a silent killer.
This was earlier common among air travelers and patients confined to bed. Because of its popularity among air travelers, it was known as economy class syndrome. Those who are prone to blood clots due to hereditary factors are at a higher risk of acquiring this disease.
You can avoid the risk of having DVT by following some simple steps in your office. Keep printer, fax or the electrical switches a little away from your desk so that you will be forced to move to get your work done. Have light music on the background so that you will tap your feet and prevent your lower leg from remaining immobile. It is often advised to take frequent breaks from your working hours as it also increases the quality of your work. Sitting cross legged or tucked up under your seat also helps.
“Taxi drivers should get out of their car every now and then and go for a walk and office workers should get up and move about every hour or so,” says Reg Lord, professor of surgery at the University of Western Sydney and a leading expert in thrombosis.