June 30, 2008

DVT PSA

Silent Killer Stalks Programmers and Travelers

(get back to this page by typing MedicCast.com/dvt into your browser)

Podcasters and online radio producers are joining in the fight to stop a silent killer stalking computer programmers, international travelers, and anyone who spends long periods of time immobile. A public service announcement about the dangers of DVT (deep veinous thrombosis) is airing on hundreds of thousands of computers thanks to the efforts of the TWiT.tv network and the collaboration of two medical and science podcasters, Jamie Davis of the MedicCast Network and Marc Pelletier of Futures in Biotech.

Listen to the PSA Here

Right click here to download high quality aiff file.

DVT is a blood clot that usually forms in the leg veins after someone has been immobile for a period of time. Sometimes this clot can break loose and travel to the lungs forming a pulmonary embolism. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), between 200,000 and 400,000 people develop DVT each year in the U.S. and more than half of those people develop pulmonary embolism which kills one third of the people it affects. The good news is that for many people, DVT is completely preventable by getting moving every hour or two.

The following people are at increased risk for forming one of these life threatening blood clots:

* Injury to the vein, often caused by fractures, leg injury, or recent surgery
* Slow blood flow, often caused by confinement to bed, being seated for long periods (especially with crossed legs)
* Increased estrogen, often caused by birth control pills, hormone replacement, or recent pregnancy
* Certain chronic medical illnesses, such as heart disease, lung disease, cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.
* Other risk factors include previous DVT, family history of DVT, advanced age, obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking.

Prevention tips from the CDC and mentioned in the PSA include:

* Move around as soon as possible after being confined to bed, such as after surgery, illness, or injury.
* Talk to your doctor about wearing graduated compression stockings (support hose).
* When sitting for long periods of time, such as when traveling for more than four hours:
- Get up and walk around every 2 to 3 hours.
- Exercise your legs while you’re sitting by:
Raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor
Raising and lowering your toes while keeping your heels on the floor
Tightening and releasing your leg muscles
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Drink plenty of water, and avoid drinking anything with alcohol or caffeine in it.
* Talk to your doctor about medication (anticoagulants) to prevent or treat DVT.
* Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and don’t smoke.

Podcasters and media organizations interested in downloading and using this public service announcement may download it and access the CDC links here. Permission is given to use the recording in its full, unedited form. Other uses may be allowed by contacting the authors, Jamie Davis or Marc Pelletier.

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Marc Pelletier, PhD, is the host of Futures in Biotech, a podcast featuring interviews with leaders in the biotechnology industry. Explore the world of genetics, cloning, protein folding, genome mapping, and more with the most important researchers in biotech.

Jamie Davis, NREMT-P, BA, ADN is the host of two of the most popular medical podcasts, the MedicCast, for emergency services providers, and the Nursing Show, for nurses by nurses. Both can be found at the MedicCast Network site.