Former cricketer and popular television personality Navjot Singh Sidhu has been hospitalised in New Delhi after he developed Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a life-threatening condition. He is reported to be stable.

Picture courtesy: Twitter/Sherryontopp. Picture courtesy: Twitter/Sherryontopp.

However, it's always better to be informed. We tell you exactly what Deep Vein Thrombosis is and how you can prevent it. Read on.

DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body. Blood clots occur when the blood thickens and clumps together--it blocks the flow of blood in the affected vein. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus. It can then travel further to an artery in the lungs and block the blood flow. This is a very serious condition and can damage the lungs and other organs in the body causing death.

So, all of you who sit for long periods of time, pay attention, for you are at greater risk to develop this condition. DVT is also the reason travellers are advised to get up and walk around if they're on a long-haul flight, so the blood circulation continues unaffected.

Here are some symptoms that you should watch out for and should pay the doctor a visit:



You experience swelling in one or both legs

You experience pain or tenderness in one or both legs, even if it's just when you stand or walk

A patch of skin on your leg is warm

A patch of skin on your leg is red or discoloured

Your veins become suddenly very visible

Your legs are feeling very weak and you feel tired

Go to a hospital right away if you notice:

Sudden coughing, and bringing up blood

Sharp chest pain

Rapid breathing or shortness of breath



Diagnosis of DVT:

Duplex ultrasound: A warm gel will be spread on your skin and then a wand will be rubbed over the area where the clot could be. The wand sends sound waves into your body and relays the echoes to a computer, which makes pictures of your blood vessels and sometimes the blood clots. However, this test isn't very effective in finding blood clots very deep inside the body, such as in the pelvis.

Venography: This is a special X-ray. The doctor injects a radioactive dye into a vein on the top of your foot before the X-ray to help him see your veins and maybe spot a clot. It's more accurate than an ultrasound, but there's a slight chance it will cause more blood clots.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): You lie still on a sliding table while radio waves and a strong magnetic field make detailed pictures of the inside of your body on a computer. (You'll hear loud tapping or knocking sounds during the test.) You might need to get a shot to make your blood vessels show up better. This can find DVT in your pelvis and thigh and your doctor can look at both legs at once. However, an MRI is much more expensive than other tests.

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How to prevent DVT:

Exercise daily, there is no other alternative. You can walk, swim, or cycle. This will help you manage your weight. Eat balanced, high-fibre meals.

Avoid smoking.

Check your blood pressure at least once a year, more often if your doctor asks you to.

Take anticoagulants to prevent a blood clot that can form after some types of surgery.

Exercise your lower leg muscles to improve circulation in your legs.



(With inputs from www.nhlbi.nih.gov and WebMD)

