Experts have asked
Nigerians to desist from sitting for too long a time, when travelling or
flying, saying this makes them more likely to develop a life-threatening blood
clot in their lungs, a common cause of sudden death.
Nigerians to desist from sitting for too long a time, when travelling or
flying, saying this makes them more likely to develop a life-threatening blood
clot in their lungs, a common cause of sudden death.
Also, individuals sit for prolonged
period of time with their legs crossed risk health problems too.
period of time with their legs crossed risk health problems too.
According to Dr. Olumise Sogaolu, a chest physician at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, a prolonged time of sitting could
engender a clot being formed in blood vessels in the leg and pelvic region when
blood becomes stagnant, thus causing a blockage of blood supply to organs of
the body such as the lungs and so potentially leading to sudden death.
engender a clot being formed in blood vessels in the leg and pelvic region when
blood becomes stagnant, thus causing a blockage of blood supply to organs of
the body such as the lungs and so potentially leading to sudden death.
He stated that many people had died from
this life-threatening blood clot, describing it as a sinister problem that was
often misinterpreted for something else.
this life-threatening blood clot, describing it as a sinister problem that was
often misinterpreted for something else.
According to him, its
signs and symptoms which included difficult breathing, chest pain, irregular
heartbeats and coughing mimic conditions such as heart attack and pneumonia.
signs and symptoms which included difficult breathing, chest pain, irregular
heartbeats and coughing mimic conditions such as heart attack and pneumonia.
He declared that
approximately 10 per cent of patients with this life-threatening blood clot die
within the first hour, and 30 per cent die from another subsequent episode.
approximately 10 per cent of patients with this life-threatening blood clot die
within the first hour, and 30 per cent die from another subsequent episode.
Dr Sogaolu added
that users of oral contraceptives, smokers, pregnant women, obese people
as well as individuals with bone fractures, diabetes and cancer also stand a
higher risk of developing this life-threatening blood clot.
that users of oral contraceptives, smokers, pregnant women, obese people
as well as individuals with bone fractures, diabetes and cancer also stand a
higher risk of developing this life-threatening blood clot.
Dr Gbolahan Obajimi, a
consultant obstetric and gynaecologist, who noted that pregnancy increases the
possibility of this life-threatening blood clot by four folds in the lungs and
legs, said it could be a challenge especially in women that experienced severe
bleeding during child birth or have medical conditions such as hypertension,
sickle cell disease, anaemia and blood clotting problems.
consultant obstetric and gynaecologist, who noted that pregnancy increases the
possibility of this life-threatening blood clot by four folds in the lungs and
legs, said it could be a challenge especially in women that experienced severe
bleeding during child birth or have medical conditions such as hypertension,
sickle cell disease, anaemia and blood clotting problems.
While pregnant women
on bed rest for over four days could also develop this deadly condition, Dr
Obajimi warned that pregnant women that complain of leg pain, especially the
left leg and swelling of the legs or a sudden unset of chest pain, coughing and
rapid heart rate should be suspected to have the condition as well.
on bed rest for over four days could also develop this deadly condition, Dr
Obajimi warned that pregnant women that complain of leg pain, especially the
left leg and swelling of the legs or a sudden unset of chest pain, coughing and
rapid heart rate should be suspected to have the condition as well.
He, however,
reinstated the need for regular intake of water to prevent dehydration and
sedentary lifestyle, which he declared could also predispose to this
life-threatening blood clot.
reinstated the need for regular intake of water to prevent dehydration and
sedentary lifestyle, which he declared could also predispose to this
life-threatening blood clot.
Dr Leke Ifesanya, a
consultant orthopaedic surgeon, saying that this life-threatening blood clot
was frequent in orthopaedic patients, said while some of them will survive,
others may end up with complications such as hypertension, leg swelling and
varicose veins.
consultant orthopaedic surgeon, saying that this life-threatening blood clot
was frequent in orthopaedic patients, said while some of them will survive,
others may end up with complications such as hypertension, leg swelling and
varicose veins.
“The risk of
developing this life-threatening blood clot needs to be evaluated and decision
made on whether its prevention will be needed,” he stated.
developing this life-threatening blood clot needs to be evaluated and decision
made on whether its prevention will be needed,” he stated.
Speaking on crossing of legs, he said,
crossing of legs while seated will not only lead to osteoarthritis of the hips,
but also the formation of blood clots in the legs and the possibility of such
blood clot finding its way to cause problem in organs of the body such as the lungs.
crossing of legs while seated will not only lead to osteoarthritis of the hips,
but also the formation of blood clots in the legs and the possibility of such
blood clot finding its way to cause problem in organs of the body such as the lungs.
“When you cross your
legs, you prevent good blood return from the lower part of the body and because
other factors that trigger blood clot also comes to play, then you have a very
high risk of developing deep vein thrombosis,” he said.
legs, you prevent good blood return from the lower part of the body and because
other factors that trigger blood clot also comes to play, then you have a very
high risk of developing deep vein thrombosis,” he said.