Labor Day is right around the corner, and if you’ve got travel plans you’re in very good company. Camping trips and beach visits are great ways to celebrate these last relaxing days of summer… assuming you’re not traveling far, that is.
In a recently-published review of over a dozen previous studies, researchers found that long-distance travel can raise your risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by as much as three-fold. What’s worse, risk increases according to the duration of your trip—up 18 percent for every two hours of any kind of travel, and a whopping 26 percent for every two hours of air travel…even if you’re otherwise healthy.
So what exactly is VTE… and why is it so deadly?
Venous thromboembolism is a disorder comprised of two very serious conditions: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. DVT is marked by abnormal clot formation in the deepest veins in your body—and most typically those in your legs or pelvis. A pulmonary embolism, on the other hand, occurs when this clot becomes dislodged and travels to your lungs—blocking the pulmonary artery, which results in difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate… and sometimes even sudden death.
Needless to say, these are both frightening (and very dangerous) conditions—and as this research shows, travelers are at especially high risk. But luckily, you don’t have to cancel your vacation plans this year in order to properly protect yourself. If you’re traveling far, stay well hydrated and make sure you take the time to move around and stretch your legs whenever you get the chance—both of these simple precautions can help to reduce your risk of VTE.
Quality natural supplements can also help—especially if your clotting risk is higher than most. (Cancer patients, stroke patients, women on birth control, and people recovering from major surgery fall into this category.) In my practice, I use a Tibetan-based formula for this very purpose with excellent results—studies show that this formula can significantly reduce abnormal clotting factors and boost circulation in patients with peripheral artery disease. (In fact, it’s so powerful that it’s been registered as a medicine in Europe for over three decades now—for more information, check out my free health report, Overcoming Cardiovascular Disease.)
Perhaps the most important precaution you can take, however, is familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of VTE. This knowledge can save your life, should you ever find yourself on the wrong side of these scary statistics. Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in your leg are red flags that a blood clot may have formed—and sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and a bloody cough are all warning signs that it may have traveled to your lungs.
If you suspect VTE during or after your next long trip, be sure to seek medical attention immediately. Quick intervention (and proper prevention) is the only way to ensure that you’re alive and healthy enough to enjoy many more vacations… and all of the long-distance travel they might require… for years to come.
SOURCE: Chandra D, Parisini E, Mozaffarian D. “Travel and Risk for Venous Thromboembolism.”Ann Intern Med. 2009 Jul 6. [Epub ahead of print]
Summer is a perfect time to relax, have fun and enjoy nature—full of family barbecues, trips to the beach, and lots of time spent in the great outdoors. But it’s also an important season to take stock of your heart health.
In Chinese Medicine, summer relates to the fire element—and in terms of your body, this season emphasizes your heart and circulation. As daylight increases, your energy and activities will naturally expand, reaching further away from your core—and that’s where a strong, healthy heart and circulatory system come into play. After all, they’re your pump, and the vehicle you rely on to get nutrients and information to every part of your body.
So what can you do this season to make sure your heart stays strong? For starters, you can take advantage of the abundant fresh produce that’s always at your fingertips this year—not to mention the opportunities for outdoor exercise that spring up at every turn. But if nothing else, make sure that you schedule that vacation—and take plenty of time to recharge your batteries every single chance you get.
Chronic inflammation has been receiving widespread attention in mainstream medicine for several years now—and most especially where your heart health is concerned. Inflammation represents heat. We know from basic physics that heat is a manifestation of an increase in kinetic movement—and when you live a high-pace lifestyle with no time to relax, “cool”, re-hydrate and lubricate your body, your “engine” is going to heat up.
The problem here is that heat—and the inflammation it causes—degrades your body through wear, tear, and oxidative stress. This is one of the primary mechanisms of the aging process—and of degenerative diseases, including heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
Slowing down and making sure that you allow your body to cool, regulate, and regenerate is a necessary preventative measure for a long and healthy life. Drink lots of fresh clean water. Take time to eat mindfully. Get adequate sleep and enjoy regular exercise (especially walking) whenever you can. And of course, meditation and relaxation can work wonders in keeping your heart (and your entire body) as strong and active as it can be.
Heart-nourishing, inflammation-fighting supplements can also make a critical difference. Cardiovascular and circulatory conditions are a big focus in my clinical practice—and for my patients, I use a Tibetan-based herbal formula that embraces the principles of both Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine for a unique, natural, and very effective approach to fighting heart disease and circulatory issues.
Its traditional applications are to cool and regulate the movement of “wind” and to enhance the movement of bile. In other words, it regulates the inflammatory process and naturally thins the blood—and its benefits against anything from peripheral artery disease to multiple sclerosis are well-documented, and the subject of numerous published clinical trials.
The genius of this ancient herbal formulation never ceases to amaze me. In my practice, I find that patients who use this formula on an ongoing basis enjoy gradual, gentle, and sustained benefits. And compared to any single agent drug or supplement (which may give rapid—but short-lived, and often side effect-ridden—benefits) the advantages of this type of treatment are truly undeniable.
You can find out more about this powerful formula by reading my health report, Overcoming Cardiovascular Disease, available for free here. In the meantime, I hope you’ll take full advantage of the many wonderful health-boosting opportunities the season has to offer—and by all means, make time for that summer vacation!