The Truth About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Blood Clot Forms in the Vein Deep in the Muscle If you sit in a small space for a long time--more than 4 hours--you can get one. Take this simple test to lower your chances of DVT when you buckle up for long-distance trips. Drink lots of water, wear loose clothing, and get up often, walking around to stretch. If you're at risk for blood clots, ask your doctor if you should take aspirin before traveling. Most Clots Form in the Lower Legs and Thighs You can also get them in your arm, pelvis and other veins. DVT can form if the blood moves too slowly, if the vein is damaged, or there is a problem with your blood. Half of People have DVT Without Symptoms Call your doctor right away if ohe or both legs are swollen, one leg hurts or tender. Check and see if both legs are the same size. If one is bigger, it could be due to a clot. Another sign of DVT is the skin in one of your legs feels warm or looks red or discolored. Two Main Kinds of Clots The two forms of DVT are those that form deep in the veins and those that show up in the arteries. The ones in the arteries can cause heart attacks and strokes. DVT clots don't, but can still be dangerous. They can move through the blood, the blood vessels in the lungs--called a pulmonary embolism--you can die from it, so it is important to get treatment right away. It Can Happen After Leg and Hip Surgery Because the operation affects how the blood flows and clots, you are at great risk for DVT up to 10 days after surgery. But don't worry--your doctor can tell you how to prevent it. He or she may suggest you move around as soon as you can. He may give you medicines to help your blood move. Or he may give you compression stockings to help with blood flow. If You Have DVT--There Is a Good Chance Your Doctor May Give You a Blood Thinner Medication Blood thinners help to stop clots from getting bigger and keep them from moving. It also keeps them from forming, but it doesn't break them up. Most people get better with blood thinners and stockings may help with swelling and blood flow so over time the clots will dissolve and disappear. Another Reason to Shed Extra Weight Obesity increases your odds of getting DVT. It is better to prevent it than treat it. If you're not active now--ask your doctor about starting an exercise regimen. If you smoke, ask about quitting. Get up often from your chair at work or home and take short walks. Work your leg muscles to help pump blood toward the heart. Guys Over 50 Are Most Likely to Get DVT Women are also at higher risk for blood clots if they are pregnant or on the pill. Source www.webmd.com/dvt/rm-quiz-deep-vein-thrombosis

Surprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight

What's With the Weight Gain? If you're taking in more calories than usual, cutting back on exercise--not surprised the numbers on the scale still read high? Your doing everything as always--but the weight still rises? You can research what really happening. Lack of Sleep There can be issues: sleep and weight gain. First: if your up late, the odds are greater, especially if you're doing late-night snacking, leading to more calories. Second: what's happening to your body when you're sleep-deprived? The changes in hormone levels increase as hunger and appetite also make you not as full after eating. Stress Stressing too much can make our bodies go into survival mode. Cortisol, a "stress hormone" when secreted, causes increases in appetite. If you're reaching for high-calorie foods during stressful times, the combination is the perfect breeding ground for weight gain. Anti-Depressants The unfortunate side effect to anti-depressants is weight gain. Talk to your doctor to make changes to your treatment plan if your anti-depressant is causing weight gain. Never stop taking your medication on your own. Some people experience weight gain after starting a new drug treatment because they are feeling better--which leads to a better appetite. However, depression may lead to weight gain too. Steroids Anti-inflammatory steroid medications (prednisones) are notorious for causing weight gain. Fluid retention and an increased appetite are the main reasons, but some people may see a temporary change when their body holds fat after taking steroids to the face, belly and back of neck. If you've taken steroids for more than a week: don't stop cold turkey--it can lead to serious problems. You should check with your doctor first. Drugs May Cause Weight Gain Prescription drugs may be linked to weight gain. Anti-psychotic drugs (those that treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, etc.) and also those medications that are used to treat migraines, seizures, high blood pressure and diabetes. Work with your doctor to find a medication that treats the symptoms and lessens side effects. Don't Jump to Blame the Pill Contrary to popular belief, the combination of birth control pills (estrogen and progestin) have not been proven to cause weight gain. Some women taking the combination pill may experience weight gain due to fluid retention--which is usually short term. If you're still concerned about possible weight gain, talk with your doctor. Hypothyroidism If your thyroid--the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck--is not making enough thyroid, you're probably feeling tired, weak, cold, and gaining weight. Without enough thyroid hormone, the metabolism slows, causing you to gain weight. Even if your thyroid is functioning at the lower end of the normal range, it may still cause weight gain. Treating hypothyroidism with medication may reverse some weight gain. Don't Blame Menopause Most women gain weight around the time of menopause, but your hormones may not be the only cause. Aging slows down the metabolism leading to burning fewer calories. Weight gain that is related to menopause is fat accumulating around the waist more than the hips and thighs. Cushing's Syndrome Weight gain is common to the syndrome known as Cushing's Syndrome, a condition in which you expose too much stress hormone, cortisol, which causes weight gains and other abnormalities. You can get Cushing's Syndrome if you take steroids for asthma, arthritis or lupus. It can also happen when adrenal glands make to much cortisol, or related to a tumor. Weight gain may be most prominent around the neck, face, upper back and waist. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) This is common hormonal problem to women in childbearing age. Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. The condition leads to hormone imbalances can affect women's menstrual cycle, as well as lead to extra body hair or acne. Women with PCOS may be resistant to insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar, may cause weight gain. Weight gain tends to collect around the belly, putting these women at risk for heart disease. Quitting Smoking While it may be the best thing for your health, quitting may cause weight gain, but perhaps less than you think. On the average, people who quit smoking gain less than 10 pounds. Should you stop feeling hungrier after several weeks, making it easier to lose the weight gained. Rule 1: If You Do Gain Weight. . . Don't stop taking medications without talking to your doctor. Recognize the importance of drug-taking may be critical to your health. If something else is causing weight gain; ask your doctor to help figure out what may be happening. Rule 2: If You Do Gain Weight. . . Don't compare yourself to other people taking the same drug. Not all people experience the same side effects of the same drug. Even if the drug caused someone else to lose weight, it may not be the same for you. Rule 3: If You Do Gain Weight. . . Remember, if weight gain is due to water retention; it is not permanent weight or fat. Once finished taking the drug or the condition is under control, puffiness from fluid retention may ease. Stick to a lower-sodium diet in the meantime. Rule 4: If You Do Gain Weight. . . Check with your doctor about other drugs you can take. In many cases, your can doctor can switch you to another medication that may not have the same side effects. Rule 5: If You Do Gain Weight. . . Learn if your weight gain is caused from a decrease in metabolism from either a medical condition or medication. If so, take the time to participate in a metabolism-raising activities. So get moving! Source www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-weight-gain-shockers.