Life Defined By Habit

Posted on May 21, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations 

Mark Twain is widely known for his wit, and his quips are as applicable today as they were in his day. Speaking on habits, he said, “Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” Modern research and studies on habits make his words seem prescient in 2013. This week, I discuss how habits are formed and how to change bad ones and create good ones.

Our lives are often defined by habit. We may not make a name for ourselves by becoming a restaurant regular, dining at the same time and ordering the same dish every day, but we brush our teeth the same way every time without a thought.  We go through our morning routine, showering, making coffee and dressing, and our thoughts wander elsewhere. Habits take over, and we’re able to think about the upcoming meeting, coming events or the dream we woke from.

We create our own habits. As we repeat our habits over and over, they become more entrenched in our brains. As powerful as established habits are, we can change our ways if we want to, using good techniques, and going slow. Replacing a bad habit with a good habit over time is the best way to succeed.

First, what forms a habit? This three-part process, a psychological pattern called a “habit loop,” is at the start of every habit.

  • The cue: This first part of a habit is the trigger that causes you to fall into automatic mode while you carry out the second part of the habit process, behavior. 
  • The behavior: The action part of the habit. Brushing your teeth is a process you don’t pay attention to unless your attention is called to it specifically. Otherwise, you’ll perform the behavior and forget it.
  • The reward: At the end of your habit, there’s something your brain likes, a reward, that helps you remember the action for the future. As you repeat the action, your brain thinks less and less, and habits are formed.

Charles Duhigg, author of the book “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business,” started investigating habits for a book while trying to learn about (and break some) of his own. The book is a good read, and the techniques suggested to break and replace habits are fun to carry out as experiments for your own personality. Habits are not broken overnight, as Mark Twain sagely stated. It’s best to tackle unwanted habits one at a time, slowly, and leave yourself room for error.

Settle on one habit you’d like to end, and establish three things: the cue, the routine, and the reward. Once you understand those three integral parts, you’ll be better able to make a change. In an interview for Fresh Air, Duhigg explains how he kicked his afternoon cookie habit. It’s an entertaining account, and shows that success is possible if you go slow.

I’ll close with a fascinating finding written about in Duhigg’s book. Keystone habits are habits that, when practiced, have a ripple effect across all areas of a person’s life. Not surprisingly, regular exercise (even just once a week!) helps create positive change throughout a person’s life. People who exercise are more likely to eat better, get to work earlier, smoke less and feel less stress. If you’re looking to start a chain of positive reactions, the best place to start may be with your health.

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Show Some Summer Lovin’ to Your Skin

Posted on May 14, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

As Atlanta weather heats up, we head outdoors. We shed our layers, abandon coats for shorts and T-shirts, pack up our boots and don flip-flops instead. Sundresses and seersucker are in vogue during the summer months, and so is another trend anyone can afford – tan, glowing, skin.

Though the concept is foreign now, for thousands of years pale skin was in. Skin unblemished by the sun was the mark of elegance and affluence, and tanned skin wasn’t considered “glowing,” but “weathered.” Tanning only became popular in the 1920s. Coco Chanel, the French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand, is often credited with creating the trend after getting too much sun on her yacht and declaring that “A girl simply has to be tanned.”

When we see sun-kissed skin, we equate it with exercise and activity outdoors. Go easy on the sunscreen in the park or on the river, and you’ll return home with darker skin. Most of us relish a tan, but that’s a mistake. There are more new cases of skin cancer every year than there are of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in life – more than two million people are diagnosed with skin cancer annually. For a longer list of hair-raising statistics about skin cancer, please visit SkinCancer.org.

It will take an enormous effort to reverse our cultural affinity for tanning. In 2009, a study found that tanning salons were often as ubiquitous as Starbucks. That’s a shame, considering that the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted in tanning beds (and by the sun, of course) are considered carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances, by the World Health Organization and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The American Cancer Society estimates that 3,170 people will die from non-melanoma skin cancers and 9,480 will die from melanoma skin cancers in 2013.

If you’ve been lax about covering up in the sun and eschewed sunscreen, make an appointment to see a dermatologist immediately. The earlier skin cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat. And this summer, skip the tanning trend, and follow these practices to keep your skin healthy and cancer free.

  • Wear sunscreen every day, and apply as often as necessary. This is a good habit to incorporate in your routine regardless of the season. UV rays are still present when snow is on the ground – and snow reflects 85 to 90 percent of the sun’s rays back up at you!

  • Invest in a good hat. A broad brim hat is a fashion statement and great way to protect your skin from the sun.

  • Cover up in the sun. Summer yard work gets hot, and shedding all the clothing we can is understandable. It’s better to purchase a lightweight shirt and avoid the inevitable dark tan or sunburn at the end of the day.

  • Try to avoid direct sunlight when UV rays are the strongest, between 10 AM and 4 PM. Relax in the shade, carry a parasol, or schedule an indoor activity.

  • Do not use tanning beds. Save yourself some cash, now and down the road. Women’s Health put it best when they said “Tanning beds might as well be coffins.” There is no reason to use a tanning bed. Many oncologists believe that tanning beds are the culprit behind increased rates of melanoma in young women.

Who knows? One day, the popularity of tanning may go the way of smoking cigarettes. This summer, be smart, be safe, and help start a new trend of loving on your skin.

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Good and Dirty

Posted on May 7, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration announced that they would rule on the safety of the chemical triclosan, a product commonly used in antibacterial soaps. Triclosan is also used in mouthwash, toothpaste, and toys. The chemical, in use for more than 40 years, may be unsafe. The FDA will soon issue a ruling – if they find the chemical is harmful, it will have huge implications on an almost $1 billion industry.

Our cleaning supplies tout their germ-killing prowess. Antibacterial soap is common in public (and many private) bathrooms. Hand sanitizer, once a last resort in lieu of soap and water, is available in a size small enough to carry on your keychain. We like to clean, and for good reason. Human history is the story of survival, and germs have been a worthy adversary since the beginning. Cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever prove that clean water is a necessity we shouldn’t take for granted. But how far should we take our war on germs?

Our immune systems need to be challenged to grow strong. Raising children in a sterile environment (as helpful as it may seem to new parents) doesn’t do their immune systems any favors. In 2009, the New York Times reported on a studies researching the “hygiene hypothesis.” The hygiene hypothesis is the idea that children raised in overly clean environments have a derailed immune response period. After birth, our immune systems must learn how to respond to our environment. As our immune systems are introduced to millions of bacteria, viruses, and worms, we practice immune responses and learn what’s best ignored.

The next time your little one reaches for a handful of dirt, don’t panic. A child tasting dirt is providing their immune system with invaluable lessons. Parents that cleaned off pacifiers by giving them a quick suck may have done their children a favor. A new study published this week suggests that that quick lick lowers the risk of allergy-related conditions like asthma and eczema. (For more information on the hygiene hypothesis and asthma, follow the link to the FDA’s official website. The information gets a bit technical, but it’s a good starting place if you’re hoping to convince someone – or yourself – that easing up on cleaning is a good idea.)

So, what are we to do to protect our health and the health of our children? There’s no need to clean house of your cleaning products (yet.) The best route, in this case and so many others, is to exercise moderation. Don’t allow your child (or yourself!) to embody Peanut’s Pig Pen, but don’t sterilize your home, either. If you’re bringing home a baby, consider their forays into dirt tasting most natural, and least painful, immunization.

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Can Urgent Care Clinics Help Lower Health Care Costs?

Posted on April 30, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

When was your last trip to the emergency room? Did you take a child with the all too common broken arm for an X-ray, or carry in a friend with a badly sprained ankle after an afternoon tailgating? Or were you sick after hours and unable to wait for your doctor’s office to open? Whatever the reason, we dread a trip to the emergency room. The injury or illness is bad, but what waits for us at the ER is sometimes worse: a long, long, wait and an expensive bill in the mail a week later.

On average, a trip to the emergency room costs $1,233. Prices vary wildly from hospital to hospital. Treatment for a urinary tract infection ranges from $50 to $73,002. When we’re sick enough to need the ER, we don’t stop to comparison shop. The use of the emergency room is often fingered as one of the causes of ballooning health care costs. Specifically, the use of emergency rooms for medical care by the uninsured – who cannot be denied treatment at the ER regardless of their ability to pay. ER care is the most expensive avenue of access to medical care, and the insured pick up the tab in the form of higher premiums, to care for those who must use the emergency room as the doctor’s office.

In recent years, an alternative model to the emergency room has expanded and gained celebrity status is the fight to lower health care costs. Urgent care clinics are touted as the cost and time saving alternative to a trip to the hospital. There are more than 8,000 such clinics open in the US, and their growth is estimated at eight to ten percent annually.   It’s no surprise that patients much prefer using clinics to the ER. Not only are costs lower, the wait time to see a doctor is (typically) far shorter.

In March, Forbes reported that Concentra, the largest provider of occupational health care services and urgent care in the United States, is hoping to capitalize on the expansion of accountable care organizations. Concentra operates more than 340 urgent care clinics around the nation. In 2010, Concentra was purchased by Humana (a large health insurance company). As pressure rises to bring health care costs down, we’ll likely see more of the same mergers. Accountable care organizations are one instrument the government hopes to use to lower overall health care costs by rewarding medical-care providers for keeping patients healthy and out of the hospital. Urgent care clinics have board certified physicians – providing stellar treatment outside of the hospital.

Hopefully, urgent care clinics will benefit everyone. Remember them the next time you’re faced with an urgent (but not life threatening!) medical situation. Urgent care clinics are great for treating the flu, fever, insect bites, cuts and scrapes, and fractures. Last week, I wrote about poison ivy. If you’re having a bad reaction over the weekend, waiting for the doctor’s office to open on Monday may be too long. A steroid shot can start to clear up the trademark rash in a few hours. A trip to the ER is overkill, but a trip to your local urgent care clinic may be just what the doctor ordered. Who knows? Emergency rooms might even live up to their names one day, if the only patients using them are really in the midst of an emergency!

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Field and Foe: Spotting, Avoiding, and Treating Poison Ivy

Posted on April 23, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

In spring, the lure of field and flower draw gardeners out to the yard. It’s time to trim the hedges, plant vegetables, weed, and fight encroaching ivy and kudzu. But you might find yourself retreating to the indoors if you’re not careful. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac grow happily here in Georgia, and one brush with their leaves or vines leaves more than half of Americans itching, uncomfortable, and covered in a rash.

The “poison three” are the bane of camping trips and yard work. Most humans would happily see them go extinct, but we would be the only ones celebrating. Deer and birds love snacking on the foliage and berries of the poisonous plants. As much as we may dislike the poison three, they’re an important part of the ecosystem. When you’re exploring the outdoors, don’t disturb the plants. We don’t need to concern ourselves with eradication unless the pesky plants are on our property and in our space. The birds will appreciate it.

If you grew up playing in wooded areas, you probably already know the saying, “Leaves of three, let it be!” That’s a good starting rhyme, but poison ivy, oak, and sumac, have a different look each season. Refresh your memory each season before you get to working outdoors. Another good rhyme is “Hairy rope, don’t be a dope!” The vines of the poison three often climb trees. The unattractive vines are often ripped or cut by gardeners without a second thought. But the lack of foliage doesn’t make them any less poisonous, so don’t be a dope – take precautions! For a good guide to identifying the poison three, click here.

So what makes the poison three so poisonous? The oil these plants produce in their leaves and vines: urushiol. Reactions to the urushiol oil vary from person to person. 25 to 50 percent of Americans won’t have a reaction, but we’re not all that lucky. Even if you’ve been spared a rash before, be cautious. The allergy may change over the years – many children aren’t affected, only to suffer severe reactions as adults. The reverse is true, too. People with childhood memories of awful rashes may grow up and never deal with more than slight irritation. In  other words, better safe than sorry.

Home remedies to treat the rash caused by the poison three are as numerous and varied as the people you consult. When treating the rash, try a few and stick with whatever makes you or you loved one most comfortable. (I’ve listed a few of my favorite home remedies at the end of this article.) A quick run to the pharmacy will also yield relief: hydrocortisone cream helps control the itch, as does calamine lotion. Hydrocortisone will rub into the skin, while a layer of calamine lotion leaves you pink – but comfortable. (If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before using hydrocortisone cream.) Finally, Benadryl will relieve swelling. It will also make you drowsy, which can help the truly itchy get to sleep. If the rash is severe, covers more than 10 percent of your body, or has spread to your face, you may want to schedule a trip to the doctor’s office. Your doctor may proscribe a steroid injection, pills, or both. The steroids will help your body recover more quickly, but should not be used unless necessary.

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are a natural part of our ecosystem. The fear of an itchy rash shouldn’t keep you inside – the south in the spring and summer is too beautiful. So get hiking, gardening, and exploring your own backyard! Learn how to identify the poison three (and teach children to do the same) so you can enjoy the outdoors in all its splendor.

Home Remedies 

Oatmeal Bath: A cool bath goes a long way towards relieving itchy discomfort. You can purchase an oatmeal bath kit at the grocery store or pharmacy, but it’s easier, and cheaper, to make your own. Simply grind up rolled oats in the blender until it is a fine powder. Place a cup of the finely ground oats in an old stocking, and hang it under the tub faucet then run your bath. The water will turn a milky white color, and the relief will surprise you.

Salt Water Bath: A soak in a salty tub will help soothe the itch. Draw a cool bath and add enough salt to make the water taste salty, and then soak. The salt water will help dry out the rash. If you live by the beach and the weather’s nice take a long swim in the ocean instead.

Baking Soda Paste: Someone who has suffered a yellow jacket sting will be familiar with this remedy. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 3 teaspoons water to create a paste. Using your fingers, apply a layer of paste to itchy areas and allow it to dry. Once dry, wash off the remaining powder with cool water. (I imagine such a small amount of paste won’t be enough for the average rash – keep the 1:3 ratio and make as much as you need.)

Cool Compress: There are a variety of cool compresses to try. When you’re the one suffering from poison ivy, you’re wont to try them all! Experiment until you find a compress that makes you feel better than others. While a cold washcloth may be enough for some, try soaking the cloth in a mixture of Epsom salt and water (2 tablespoons salt to one cup of water).

 

 

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Venous Conditions and Pregnancy

Posted on April 16, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

Pregnancy brings with it morning sickness, fatigue, a “glow,” and, of course, a baby. Another common side effect of pregnancy are varicose veins. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases by 25 to 40 percent. The extra blood is necessary to support two bodies, but does put extra pressure on your blood vessels. As the uterus enlarges to accommodate the growing baby, it puts pressure on blood vessels in the pelvis. These factors combined lead to varicose veins for many pregnant women.

Varicose veins typically develop on the legs, but may develop in more sensitive areas as well. (Hemorrhoids are actually enlarged varicose veins.) The discomfort experienced with varicose veins varies from woman to woman; for some, the enlarged veins may itch, while others may not notice more than achy legs at the end of the day. I’ll list some of the preventative measures below, but remember that varicose veins are often hereditary. If there’s a history of varicose veins in your family, you’re more likely to develop them.

To help prevent varicose veins during pregnancy, incorporate these practices into your routine.

  • Get exercise. Low-impact exercises, like walking, get blood flowing and increase your circulation. Check out Parents.com Pregnancy Fitness guide for exercises that are safe to do during pregnancy.
  • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Flex your legs while sitting at your desk, or better yet, take a break at least once an hour and do a lap around the office. While sitting, keep your legs elevated on a stool so gravity can help return blood from your legs.
  • Lie on your side. This will reduce pressure on your main blood vessels, and allow normal blood flow.
  • Keep your weight gain down to what the doctor recommends. Extra weight gain increases demands on your body and circulatory system.
  • Invest in a pair of compression stockings. Compression stockings help prevent blood from pooling in the legs – they’re tight at the ankles and get looser up the leg. Your doctor can proscribe you a pair, or you can buy them over the counter at the drugstore.

Varicose veins don’t usually last long after pregnancy. Three months postpartum, most women’s varicose veins will naturally go away. If your veins persist, there are options for treatment.

Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for varicose veins. It is an outpatient procedure and is virtually painless. For more information on sclerotherapy, please visit our website, VeinInnovations.com. While the treatment is not recommended during pregnancy, it can be performed after and between pregnancies.

Finally, I’d like to add that while rare, pregnant women may develop deep vein thrombosis. In a thousand pregnancies, only one or two women will develop DVT during or just after pregnancy. I’ve linked to my recent series on DVT, and am also providing information for pregnant women from StopTheClot.org here.

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Get Fit in Atlanta

Posted on April 9, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

I’ve spent a lot of time on this blog writing about obesity and its effects on our bodies, our state, and our nation. Whenever the topic comes up, my inevitable advice is that we all find ways to be active. The health and societal benefits are worth the effort. Azaleas are blooming in Atlanta – spring is finally here. Parks begin to fill up with runners, walks around the neighborhood become common, and the tantalizing smell of food cooking on the grill returns to the city.

If the warm weather (and the health benefits) inspire you to get active, here are a few organizations that encourage community, fitness, and a good time.

  • Atlanta Track Club Our own ATC is the second-largest running organization in the United States. The iconic Peachtree Road Race is the club’s most well-known event, but the ATC puts on over 25 events throughout the year. Training programs keep seasoned runners in shape and help new runners get started. The club is dedicated to children’s fitness, hosting at Peachtree Jr. for seven to 12 year olds, as well as the Kilometer Kids program. Kilometer Kids run 26.2 miles (the length of a marathon!) over 11 weeks in a program that encourages health and fitness. 
  • Atlanta Rowing Club The non-profit ARC was founded in 1974. Members come together to enjoy the physical challenge of rowing together on the Chattahoochee. Rowing is an excellent way to exercise, as it works your arms, legs, and core. Though you’re sitting in the boat, be prepared to sweat and get a good cardio workout. The added bonus is time spent on the river and the thrill of the boat cutting swiftly through the water.
  • YMCA The YMCA hosts an incredible number of programs for children, from soccer to tennis. Teamwork and the competitive spirit are fostered along with fitness. Adults can benefit from group exercise classes like yoga, cycling, and kickboxing. Some members may qualify for financial assistance to help with membership fees.
  • Ready for a swim? You don’t have to be a member of a country club. Chastain Park’s pool is open to the public for a nominal fee, and membership is available for anyone. AccessAtlanta created a map with all the local swimming holes. Swimming, aside from being a summer tradition, is great exercise. Make the most of adult swim and do some laps!
  • Meetups The online network Meetups provides a great way to get connected to Atlantans with similar interests. There are so many fitness meetups around our city – you’re sure to find one that interests you. Meetups are often free to join, but may charge a small fee to pay for upkeep on the site once you become a member of a group.

My list is by no means comprehensive. This is an active city! There are lots of groups dedicated to bringing people together to get fit and get to know one another. If you’re just getting started, joining an organization connects you with people who can help you and provide encouragement along the way. So enjoy our wonderful southern spring, and take a cue from nature: get outside, get active, and renew yourself!

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Healthy Bank Accounts

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

The International Federation of Health Plans is an international trade association with more than 100 insurers in 25 countries. Last week, the IFHP released their annual survey data revealing the average price insurers paid for different drugs, devices, and medical services in countries around the globe in 2012. The country whose insurers had the highest bills to pay? The United States. The graphs depicting what various countries pay are striking. I’ve included one relevant graph in this article. If you’d like to see more, follow this link.

The IFHP’s report tells us what we already know. Health care is expensive! Even when our overall health is sound, we pay between $5,600 (single coverage) and $15,000 (family coverage) a year in insurance premiums. It’s a significant part of the budget for most of us. When we’re unwell, the money we pay for our care can quickly skyrocket. Millions of Americans suffer from preventable diseases, and it costs billions of dollars a year. While policy makers wrestle with lowering national health care costs, the rest of us can save a hefty chunk of change by improving our health.

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in America. According to the CDC, seven of every ten deaths is caused by a chronic disease. These diseases cost us time with our loved ones, they cost us a higher quality of life, and they cost a lot of money. So this week, I’ve outlined some of the most common preventable chronic diseases and their cost to our nation and the individual.

Type 2 Diabetes

25.8 million American adults and children (8.3% of the total population) have diabetes. In 2007, diabetes contributed to a total of 231,404 deaths. The disease was listed as the underlying cause on 71,382 death certificates and as a contributing factor on an additional 160,022 death certificates. According to the American Diabetes Association, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2012 was $245 billion.

Average medical expenditures for people diagnosed with diabetes are 2.3 times higher than they would be in the absence of diabetes. Annually, diabetics pay an average of $6,000 for their care. That figure includes visits to the doctor, annual eye exams, medicines, and monitoring supplies. What the $6000 doesn’t cover are the costs of complications caused by Type 2 diabetes. Heart disease, stroke, liver and kidney damage, susceptibility to infections and poor healing (which can lead to amputations) and eye damage are all complications the disease can bring with it. The CDC estimates that diabetic patients will pay twice as much for health care than those without the illness do.

Chronic Illness Caused by Smoking

More than 45 million Americans are smokers. A pack of cigarettes costs an average of  $5.29 in Georgia, but the true cost of that pack is much higher. According to the American Cancer Society, the average health cost to the smoker for every pack of cigarettes smoked is $35. From 2000 to 2004, total tobacco-related health care costs were $96 billion in the US.

Smoking cigarettes leads to an array of complications, from heart disease, infertility, blindness, and lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death – cigarette smoking causes almost all cases. Smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women. Lung cancer brings with it a terrible financial burden. Per month, the cost to a patient undergoing chemo-radiotherapy treatment ranged from $1,617 to $2,004.

High Cholesterol 

Hypercholesterolemia, a chronic condition characterized by high levels of cholesterol in the blood, is another common health problem affecting Americans. More than 34 million Americans have high cholesterol. Too much cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. Most commonly, high cholesterol levels lead to coronary artery disease. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream in deposited in the walls of blood vessels, particularly in the coronary arteries. Those arteries supply blood to the heart, and the buildup of cholesterol forms clumps that narrow and harden the artery walls. As the clumps, known as plaque, grow, they cause pain and increase the risk of heart attack. One treatment is coronary bypass surgery.

Coronary bypass surgery is performed more than 500,000 times each year in the US. The procedure is expensive, and costs between 46,000 and 150,000 dollars.

As the graph above illustrates, the surgery is costly, especially for Americans! In fact, cardiovascular disease costs the US an estimated $300 billion annually in direct medical costs.

This article could go on (and on), but the three conditions above provide a snapshot of the consequences of chronic preventable illness. The solution is one that’s easy to talk about but difficult to practice. Improving diet, (by choosing better foods, like fruits and vegetables over quick and easy frozen or fast food options) exercising (even just for 30 minutes a day!) and quitting smoking (right this very second is best) will all have a positive impact on your health and your wallet. The resources are out there to help, but first we have to decide to make a change. Over your lifetime, which will be a lot longer if you make smart lifestyle changes, you’ll save money, too.

If you’d like to make a change, or encourage someone you love to do so, these resources are a great place to start!

American Diabetes Association: Preventing Diabetes

American Cancer Society: Help Quitting for Smokers

The Centers for Disease Control: Controlling and Preventing High Cholesterol

 

 

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Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis

Posted on March 26, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

DVT Awareness Month is coming to a close, and I hope the articles found here have been enlightening and helpful to you. Deep Vein Thrombosis is a deadly disease, and it ends thousands of American lives every year. It doesn’t have to. For the last three weeks, I’ve focused on the symptoms, risk factors and complications of DVT. For my final article, I’m going to focus on the various ways you can avoid DVT altogether. The preventative measures that combat DVT are the same measures that prevent other health problems, and it’s never too late to start!

People who have recently had surgery are at a risk of DVT.  During surgery, vein walls can be damaged, or prolonged bed rest may be prescribed. To combat your increased risk, take any medications you’ve been prescribed faithfully. Before surgery, especially orthopedic surgery, it’s common to be given blood thinners. Take your medicine as directed, and check in with your doctor regularly to determine if/when your dosage needs to be adjusted.

Pregnant women are at a higher risk for DVT during their pregnancy and for six weeks afterwards than non-pregnant women. Hormones in your body make blood more likely to clot than normal. Slower blood flow, caused by an expanding uterus pressing on blood vessels, also increases the risk of clotting. Women on bed rest or recovering from a C-section are dealing with restricted movement, another risk factor for DVT.

To prevent DVT during or after pregnancy, women should walk around, stretching their feet and legs every 20 minutes or so. (This advice does not apply to women on strict bed rest.) If your doctor prescribes a blood thinning medication. Pregnant women should also stay hydrated. If you’re already at risk for DVT, dehydration can increase your risk.

Obesity, smoking and high-blood pressure all increase your risk of DVT. All three conditions will negatively affect your overall health. If you’re just learning about DVT and you suffer from any of these conditions, I hope what you’ve learned this month will be another inspiration to make a lifestyle change.

To get help with smoking cessation, you can visit SmokeFree.gov. Health class and warning labels outline all the negative effects smoking can have on your health, and if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my earlier columns on DVT.

Obesity in America is widespread, and its effects are devastating. Making a significant lifestyle change is tough, and it can feel like the deck is stacked against you. But there are resources to help you reach your goals, and the health benefits are definitely worth it. For help making changes that count, please visit the CDC website. They have created a slew of articles full of information and resources to get you started and keep you going.

The best thing you can do to prevent DVT is to get moving. If you’re sitting at an office reading this article, remember that it’s important for you to abandon your chair every 20 minutes and take a lap around the office. Stretch out, do a set of jumping jacks, invite a co-worker to chat at the water cooler. When your legs remain still for long periods of time, your calf muscles don’t contract. Those contractions normally help blood circulate. So get moving!

I hope this series has been helpful to you. DVT is a serious condition, still struggling to get the media spotlight it deserves considering the lives it affects every year. Advocacy is the first step in saving lives, so thank you for reading, and please share what you’ve learned with friends and family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Posted on March 19, 2013 by admin

By David Martin, President and CEO of VeinInnovations

Welcome to part three of a four-part series highlighting a deadly but little-known condition: deep vein thrombosis. This March marks the tenth annual DVT Awareness Month, a national effort to educate the public about DVT and its causes, complications, risk factors, treatment, and prevention.

The Coalition to Prevent DVT was established in 2003 when more than 60 organizations assembled at the Public Health Leadership Conference on Deep Vein Thrombosis in Washington, D.C. The American Public Health Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) co-hosted the meeting. The first DVT Awareness Month took place only a few weeks after the conference in March 2003.

Last week, I wrote about the causes, complications, and risk factors of DVT, and two public figures who suffered from the disease. Tennis champion Serena Williams underwent emergency surgery and survived DVT; NBC combat-zone reporter David Bloom lost his life to a pulmonary embolism caused by DVT. Following Bloom’s unexpected and tragic death, the United States Senate passed S. Res. 56, Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month, (under unanimous consent) in his memory. So let me continue my own advocacy and share with you the diagnosis and treatment of DVT.

Deep vein thrombosis can be diagnosed with a variety of techniques, including:

  • Ultrasound. A transducer is placed over the part of the body where your doctor suspects a clot has formed. The sound waves created by the transducer travel through the tissue and reflect back, creating a moving image and allowing your doctor to determine whether a clot is visible. Sometimes a series of ultrasounds will be done over several days to determine if a blood clot is growing or if a new clot is developing. 
  • Blood Test. Nearly all people who develop DVT have an elevated blood level of a substance called D dimer. D dimer is a clot-dissolving substance your body creates in an attempt to dissolve the clot on its own.
  • Venography. Venography is a test for DVT that is used less frequently, since less invasive methods can usually confirm the diagnosis. First, a contrast agent (a dye) is injected into a large vein in the foot or ankle. Afterwards, an x-ray is taken to create an image of the veins in the legs and feet to look for clots.
  • CT or MRI Scan. Both procedures can provide visual images of veins and may show if a clot is present. Sometimes a clot is found during a scan being performed for other reasons.

When treating DVT, the goal is to stop the clot from growing, preventing the clot from traveling to your lungs (and causing a pulmonary embolism), and reducing the chances of another clot forming. After a diagnosis, treatment options include:

  • Prescription Anticoagulants. Depending on the severity of the DVT, your doctor may proscribe an anticoagulant, or blood thinning medicine. This method of treatment typically lasts six months.
  • Thrombolytics. These drugs are sometimes referred to as “clotbusters.” Thrombolytics are given through an IV and are very powerful. They can quickly dissolve blood clots, but are only used in severe emergencies. They can also cause sudden bleeding, which can be life threatening.
  • Vena Cava Filter. If you are unable to take blood thinners, you may be treated with a vena cava filter. A filter is inserted into a large vein (the vena cava) and catches blood clots before they can travel to the lungs. The filter will not prevent the creation of new clots.
  • Graduated Compression Stockings. This treatment helps prevent the creation of new clots. Graduated compression stockings are tight at the ankle and become looser as they go up, creating gentle pressure up the leg. The pressure keeps blood from pooling and clotting. They may be proscribed or purchased over the counter.

Next week, I will conclude this series of articles on DVT Awareness with a column about the prevention of DVT.  

 

 

 

 

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