A Consultant Haematologist, Dr Adebukola Ali, has advised Nigerians to avoid staying still for prolonged hours to avoid Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a blood condition.
Ali, who works at the Alimosho General Hospital, Lagos, made the disclosure on Tuesday at an event to commemorate the 2020 World Thrombosis Day.
The World Thrombosis Day is marked every October 13 to increase global awareness of thrombosis, including its causes, risk factors, signs/symptoms and evidence-based prevention and treatment.
”(VTE) is a condition in which a blood clot forms most often in the deep veins of the leg, groin or arm and travels in the circulation, lodging in the lungs, a dangerous, potentially deadly medical condition”.
She said:”Venousnous thromboembolism occur across low, medium and high income countries, with 10 million cases of VTE occurring annually across the globe. One in four people die worldwide from thrombosis related conditions because it is situation trigger when blood clots within the veins or arteries. This is mostly common in the deep veins of the leg and it can cause unilateral leg swelling, pain and redness. These blood clots can expand and obstruct blood flow or the blood clots can break away and travel to the lungs and leads to pulmonary embolism, causing difficulty in breathing, cough and possibly sudden death”.
According to the consultant, thrombosis in the arteries of the heart and brain also leads to a heart attack or stroke respectively.
Ali identified immobility as one of the risk factor of thrombosis, especially those hospitalised for a long period, use of contraceptives, cancers, long hours trip, hip or heart surgery.
“Knowing one’s risk factor helps in preventing thrombosis and this year theme of VTE is ‘Be Aware of Thrombosis’. So, everyone at risk of DVT should avoid staying still for prolonged hours and people should also confirm from healthcare providers the kind of contraceptive appropriate for their usage”.
Ali said that drugs could be administered or the use of mechanical compression in form of socks to prevent thrombosis.
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