| Perhaps you have heard about it on | | | | blood flowing again. Even in an airplane, it |
| television, this recent phenomenon of people | | | | is possible to stand up and move slightly |
| suffering serious illness, and even death, as | | | | around the cabin, if only to stimulate blood |
| a result of blood circulatory problems. In | | | | flow in the lower half of the body and |
| this modern age of travel and jobs that | | | | prevent numbness. |
| require less physical labor, we are fast | | | | |
| becoming a sedentary race, and unfortunately | | | | Alternating Pressure and DVT |
| this is causing various health issues like | | | | |
| deep vein thrombosis. Fortunately, this is an | | | | Ergonomic devices at work and home are always |
| easily preventable condition that doesn't | | | | a plus. An alternating pressure cushion, for |
| take much work. | | | | one, can improve circulation during times of |
| | | | inactivity. |
| What is Deep Vein Thrombosis? | | | | |
| | | | Alternating pressure refers to a device that |
| Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition | | | | inflates and deflates in sections. Think of |
| defined by a blood clot, or thrombus, forming | | | | an air mattress or air seat cushion. As one |
| in a deep vein. Commonly affecting the leg | | | | pocket, the air is stagnant and does not |
| veins, such as the femoral, popliteal, or the | | | | move. When you sit on one, it may feel like |
| deep veins of the pelvic region, DVT can | | | | sitting on an elevated version of the chair. |
| prove fatal if the clot makes it way into the | | | | Circulation remains the same. |
| blood. Clots may become caught in the veins | | | | |
| and block circulation, or enter the heart and | | | | Alternating pressure, however, works in a |
| cause death. Therefore, it is always | | | | cushion devised of two or more air bladders |
| important to maintain good circulation and | | | | interconnected to alternate inflating and |
| keep the blood clear. Consulting a physician | | | | deflating. Some bladders rise while others |
| or licensed therapist can help determine the | | | | fall, and vice versa. This constant movement |
| best methods for staying healthy. | | | | in a cushion lifts and shifts the body in |
| | | | place, so even though one is sitting there is |
| What causes Deep Vein Thrombosis? | | | | opportunity for better circulation. |
| | | | |
| While recent research shows that various | | | | Where there is better blood flow, naturally, |
| factors prove to put a person at risk for | | | | there is less discomfort. Alternating |
| DVT, a more common cause for deep vein | | | | pressure keeps the blood moving and the skin |
| thrombosis is inactivity. The less you move, | | | | healthy, allowing it to breathe. When skin |
| the slower your blood circulates, thereby | | | | breathes, it maintains a healthy color and |
| increasing the chances for clots to form. | | | | elasticity. The blood flows and has less |
| Business travelers, people who spend long | | | | opportunity to clot, thereby decreasing risk |
| hours in cramped airplane seats or in cars, | | | | of DVT. |
| and people confined to wheelchairs are | | | | |
| especially at risk if they are unable to | | | | For the constant traveler and the cubicle |
| regularly circulate the blood in their legs. | | | | worker, an alternating pressure device can be |
| | | | handy in eliminating the risk of blood clots |
| Therefore, it is always recommended for | | | | in the legs, and in turn preventing serious |
| people who are confined to desks and chairs | | | | conditions. |
| to take advantage of quick breaks to get the | | | | |