Health
6 Surprising Times You Could Get a Blood Clot
You might not think you’ll ever get a blood clot, but blood clots can form in certain situations, even when they might not be expected. Some surprising times that blood clots could occur include:
Working at your desk
Most of us sit for hours each day, especially if we’re bound to a desk job. Sitting seems like such a harmless activity, so how can it be bad for you? The problem lies in how much of it, and for how long, we sit each day. According to Dr Helen Okoye, medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign, staying still in any position for a prolonged time can be dangerous, as it raises the risk of blood clot formation, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
“Even if you regularly engage in physical activity, when you’re sedentary for long stretches of time, blood pools in your extremities rather than circulating freely around your body, which can cause blood clots. If small parts of these blood clots break off, they can travel in the bloodstream to your lungs, and cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (PE),” she says.
Dr Okoye advises that you include as much movement as you can into your every day, including getting up after an hour of sitting and moving around to encourage good blood circulation.
Being pregnant
There are various factors that put pregnant women at risk for maternal deaths, with blood clotting – also referred to as venous thromboembolism, or VTE – one of the leading causes. “Expectant women are at risk of experiencing blood clots during the pregnancy, at childbirth, or up to three months after delivering their baby,” cautions Dr Okoye.
During pregnancy, a woman’s oestrogen levels are higher than normal, which increases the chance of developing a clot, and a pregnant woman’s blood contains higher levels of clotting proteins and lower levels of anti-clotting proteins – which is the body’s way of safeguarding against too much blood loss during childbirth.
“Another key issue is restricted movement towards the end of the pregnancy, or if the mother has to undergo bed rest after delivery, especially if she has had a C-section. A C-section is a surgery that could cause some damage to blood vessels, thereby also increasing the risk of a blood clot,” advises Dr Okoye.
Taking hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves taking hormones to alleviate menopausal symptoms and manage hormonal imbalances. Women undergoing HRT may have an increased risk of thrombosis, particularly if the therapy includes oestrogen. Although the risk of thrombosis with HRT is generally low, it is higher than in women who are not taking hormone therapy.
Binge-watching TV
According to a recent health study the consequences of sitting still and watching TV for long periods of time may increase your potential for forming blood clots. The study found that if you spend more than four hours a day watching TV, your chances of developing a fatal blood clot increase by more than 35% compared to those who watch for two and a half hours or less a day. It doesn’t matter whether you’re fit, slim, and do exercise every day – marathon TV sessions are a risky activity.
Being in hospital
It may seem a safe place, but being in the hospital is a major risk factor. This is because patients with decreased mobility due to bedrest or recovery, or who experience blood vessel trauma due to surgery or other serious injury, are more likely to develop blood clots.
“Your medical history and lifestyle habits also play a big role in an increased VTE risk, as do certain medical procedures, such as orthopaedic, urological, and cardiothoracic surgeries,” says Dr Okoye. Major peripheral vascular, gynaecological, neurosurgery, general surgery – especially involving the abdomen, pelvis, hips, or legs – and, in fact, any surgical procedure with a duration of more than 45 minutes also bears an increased risk.
Having cancer
Patients with cancer are at increased risk of blood clots in both the veins (VTE) and arteries (ATE). In fact, emerging data shows that cancer patients are at four times higher risk than the general population of developing serious blood clots. It’s a startling fact; but important to know if you or a loved one is undergoing treatment for cancer.
“There are some cancers that are known to have a high risk of developing VTE,” says Dr Okoye. “For instance, with haematological malignancies like lymphomas and multiple myelomas, the risk of developing VTEs is high. The risk is also high for lung cancers, pancreatic cancers, stomach cancers, bowel cancers, and even brain cancers.”
Chemotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses one or several drugs in combination, and surgery can additionally damage the walls of your blood vessels, affecting the way they function and making clots more likely.
According to Dr Okoye, it’s important to note that the occurrence of blood clots is influenced by a combination of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, medical history, and current health status. If you’re in any way concerned about blood clot risks, consult a medical professional who can provide personalised advice and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
Health
FG Begins Vaccination Against Mpox in FCT, Six States
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has commenced the vaccination against Monkeypox, now known as Mpox.
Business Post reports that Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory, were selected as pilot states for the vaccination.
An average of 631 persons are expected to be vaccinated across the seven states with two doses of the Mpox vaccine. A buffer for 50 persons will be kept at the national in case of an upsurge in other states.
NPHCDA in a statement posted on its verified X account confirmed the exercise, stressing that the vaccination will help to protect communities and safeguarding health of the people.
In a related development, according to the latest update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are 1,442 suspected cases of Mpox from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while the number of confirmed cases of the infection was 118 from 28 states and the FCT.
“To prevent the spread of Mpox, we strongly advise the public to avoid contact with animals that may carry the virus, including sick or dead animals in affected areas, avoid handling materials that have been in contact with infected animals, limit unnecessary physical contact with individuals who are infected, practice frequent handwashing with soap and water, and ensure that animal food products are thoroughly cooked before eating.
“It’s also important to use protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals or their tissues. Similarly, health workers are advised to follow standard safety protocols including droplet precautions when treating patients, use protective equipment including masks, gloves, and gowns, during patient care, and be vigilant for symptoms of Mpox, especially fever and rash, among other measures.”
Health
AXA Mansard Health Partners LUTH in Blood Donation Drive
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 250 pints of blood have been donated by AXA Mansard Health to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.
The blood was donated by more than 100 employees of the leading health insurance company in Nigeria through its volunteering programme tagged AXA Hearts in Action.
The initiative is part of the company’s blood donation drive aimed at contributing to positive societal and environmental impacts through employee volunteering, and expertise related financial support and in-kind donations.
According to the Chief Client Officer of AXA Mansard, Ms Rashidat Adebisi, “Through the AHIA, our employees do not just give time to great causes; we work together for a better future.”
“We share our time, knowledge and expertise as a people with a shared purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters through initiatives like this,” she added.
Ms Adebisi said the blood drive is a shining example of the philosophy in action, where collective contributions serve as a reminder that true impact often involves giving more than just money. It’s about putting one’s heart in action – an idea embedded in AXA’s corporate culture.
On his part, the chief executive of AXA Mansard Health Limited, Mr Tope Adeniyi, said with hospitals frequently experiencing blood shortages, events like these serve as a lifeline for patients in need.
“We are proud to contribute to the local healthcare sector and provide much-needed support to hospitals such as LUTH, ensuring that they have resources essential to saving lives,” he added.
Also commenting, the Head of Corporate Services and Public Relations at LUTH, Omolola Olubukunola Fakeye, thanked the firm for the “generous support,” which has made a “meaningful difference to our blood bank and ultimately to the lives of patients.”
“Blood donations are invaluable in many critical treatments, and initiatives like AXA Mansard’s blood drive bring immense relief to healthcare system.
“We are sincerely grateful for this partnership and the dedication of AXA Mansard’s employees,” Fakeye stated.
AXA Hearts in Action operates globally, she urging AXA employees everywhere to engage with and give back to their communities.
Through diverse projects – from health initiatives like this blood drive and medical outreaches to environmental efforts like the AXA Week for Good “Trash-to-Treasure” waste management project – AXA staff have opportunities to make a lasting difference on issues that matter.
For AXA Mansard, every act of social service brings them closer to the communities they serve, helping build a world where giving back is not only about charity but about lasting, positive change.
Health
US Buys 4.8 million Swipha Malaria Doses for Nigeria, Others
By Adedapo Adesanya
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $2.3 million to procure 4.8 million doses of life-saving malaria tablets from Swiss Pharma (Swipha) in a landmark partnership that will expand access to essential medicines in Nigeria and West Africa.
This procurement, to be facilitated through the U.S. Government’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), underscores the United States’ dedication to advancing Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring life-saving treatments reach vulnerable communities.
For years, Nigeria has faced significant challenges in procuring affordable, high-quality medicines due to the high cost of production and the inability of many local pharmaceutical companies to meet international quality standards.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fewer than 10 per cent of medicines manufactured in sub-Saharan Africa meet global standards, limiting local companies’ ability to supply essential drugs and meet healthcare needs.
These barriers have particularly affected access to medicines for malaria and child health, as local production has often fallen short of both quality and quantity requirements.
In response, USAID partnered with Swipha in their efforts to attain World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) tablets, a vital medicine for malaria prevention during pregnancy.
Swipha is now the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria and in West Africa to achieve this WHO certification, marking a critical step forward for the region’s pharmaceutical capacity.
“USAID’s support was pivotal in helping us reach this milestone,” said Swipha Managing Director, Mr Frederic Lieutaud.
“The WHO prequalification not only validates our commitment to producing high-quality medicines but also enhances our capacity to scale production and serve both local and international markets with trusted, essential medicines.”
With the WHO prequalification, Swipha is well-positioned to expand its reach, supplying these essential medicines to international donors and procurement agencies, ultimately strengthening healthcare delivery across Nigeria and the broader West African region.
This achievement also represents a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare system by enhancing local manufacturing capacity and contributing to public health efforts to combat preventable diseases.
During her visit to Swipha’s facility in Lagos, USAID Mission Director to Nigeria, Ms Melissa Jones, commented “This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration in improving healthcare in Nigeria.
“We are proud to have supported Swipha in reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure more quality medicines reach those who need them most. Together, we are building a healthier future for Nigeria.”
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