Preventing diseases and conditions is the best way to ensure that they will not take a toll on the body. This is especially true for blood clots. People who experience blood clots could also experience major damage to their veins and arteries. They may also experience health complications like heart attack or stroke. Taking steps to preventing blood clots from ever developing in the body is essential to ensuring that they do not cause damage to the body. This is especially true for people who are prone to the risk factors of blood clots. Educating yourself on the preventative measures that can be taken against blood clots is the first step to stopping blood clots before they become a problem. You can start here with these five easy preventative measures.
1.) Make Sure To Move
When people stay seated for long periods of time, they are at a higher risk of developing blood clots. This is because the muscles are not contracting in the way that they would with normal movement, and they are not promoting customary blood flow. You should get up every one to two hours and walk around. This is true if you are sitting at a desk, if you are on a plane, or if you are in a car on a road trip. You can also contract your leg muscles when you are seated too to ensure extra prevention.
2.) Check All Your Medications
This is especially true if you are prone to the risk factors of blood clots. Some medications, especially the birth control pill, can increase your blood clot risks. If you smoke or have a family history of blood clots, then the pill may not be the right choice for you. Make sure to talk to your doctor about your medications to see if any increase your risk of a clot.
3.) Educate Yourself About Symptoms
Knowing what the symptoms and warnings signs are for blood clots can alert you to any problems before they become more serious. Some symptoms and signs mimic those of other problems. The group of symptoms that signal a blood clot are different from other diseases. Knowing all of them will help you differentiate between other conditions. This way you can get medical help right away if needed.
4.) Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes
Tight clothes will constrict the veins and make it harder for blood to pass through them. Make sure to wear socks, stockings, pants and other articles are clothing that are loose-fitting and not constricting. The blood will be able to flow easily and there will be no need to worry about clotting.
5.) Be Proactive
You should talk with your doctor about any concerns you have about blood clotting. Asking questions after an injury or before surgery is the best time. This is because these are two occasions when blood clotting can be most apparent. Talk to them about your different options for prevention and see what steps you can take in order to make the process of recovery from injury or surgery easier. Always see a doctor if you experience any symptoms related to blood clotting to ensure that there are no major issues.