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As we continue in our march to defeat COVID-19, there are a few things that we need to do regularly to protect ourselves as we STAY AT HOME. The risk of sitting for long periods or just relaxing in bed all day is extremely high but we need to make every effort to avoid this. It does not matter if you exercise for 2 hours at the beginning or end of the day and in between you are totally sedentary; you will still be at risk of forming clots. These clots have the evil habit of causing sudden death and we essentially sign our death warrant if we are sedentary.
What are the other things that make us prone to forming clots?
The human body has its way of coping with diverse situations but sometimes it may be faced with a condition that may appear trivial yet if this condition is not diagnosed and managed quickly it can result in death. One of such conditions is Pulmonary Embolism. This is the sudden blockage of a major blood vessel in the lung usually by a blood clot. A large clot can stop blood flow to the lungs and could cause sudden death. Fortunately for us the clots are often small and may only result in various degrees of lung damage and reduced oxygen supply to body tissues.
These blood clots that cause the blockage of vessels in the lungs commonly originate from the deep veins of the legs but may also come from other parts of the body. This condition is referred to as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). When the clot moves from its origin then it is referred to as an embolus. Though blood clots commonly cause the vessel blockage other causes include; fat from a broken long bone, parts of a tumour, air bubbles and even amniotic fluid.
Sometimes you may be lucky to suspect a clot (DVT) has formed in your leg before it moves to cause damage and the tell-tale signs are:
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) may present with general symptoms such as anxiety, increased sweating, faintness or lightheadedness and sometimes the heart begins to beat faster. Classically we may experience one or more of the following:
Pulmonary Embolism can be any doctor’s nightmare since it can mimic equally serious conditions such as a heart attack, panic attack and pneumonia. A doctor after examining you may order blood tests as well as one or more of the following; Chest X-ray, Ultrasound, Spiral CT scan, electrocardiogram (ECG) and MRI.
Treatment is based on drugs often referred to as blood thinners. These medications do not actually thin blood but they help prevent new clots and keep existing clots from growing. When the symptoms are life-threatening and if available, you may be put on a “clot-busting” drug. However in most cases your doctor may start you immediately on a shot of heparin, which is a fast acting blood thinner and later convert you to a pill such as warfarin or newer medication. It is essential that everyone on warfarin consults a dietician to modify their diet to ensure that warfarin remains effective. Vitamin K rich products may reduce the effectiveness of warfarin and hence increase your risk of forming clots. While on warfarin beware of Vitamin K containing greens including Kontomire and other green components of salad as well as green tea. Beware of onions and garlic as well; keep them on the low. Alcohol and cranberry juice can enhance the activity of warfarin leading to bleeding; minimize their consumption or better still avoid.
Once you have had a DVT or Pulmonary Embolism, your risk of having another is high. Remember that the “blood thinners” may be protective but they also increase your risk of bleeding. Your doctor may keep you on the blood thinner for a few to several months and in some cases for life.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF FORMING CLOTS
In general stay healthy and try the following frequently;
We can never become immortals, neither can we fully explain all conditions but enjoy life and let us all avoid excesses.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
HEALTH ESSENTIALS
*Dr. Kojo Essel is a Medical Doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition & Corrective Exercise.
Thought for the week – “Coughing, Sneezing, Sore throat, Headaches and body pains will most likely be caused by other illnesses other than COVID 19, get medical advice. Do not make any assumptions.”
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