Long-distance travelling often means hours sitting in a cramped position. The result can be formation of blood clots in the legs, a condition called deep vein thrombosis. It can be fatal if a clot travels to a lung.
To avoid deep vein thrombosis:
- Make a point of moving and stretching your feet, if possible, every hour or two.
- Flex and extend your ankles a number of times every 30 to 60 minutes.
- Try "walking" in place. While seated, keep your feet firmly on the floor and repeatedly contract your thigh muscles, alternating from one to another.
- Avoid sitting with your legs crossed.
- Drink plenty of water or juice. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Certain health factors put you at greater risk of deep vein thrombosis, including a history of blood clots, having cancer, being on hormone therapy, smoking, pregnancy, having had recent major surgery or having recently been immobilized.
If you have concerns, check with your doctor. The doctor could recommend special compression stockings or medication to make a blood clot less likely.
Information provided by the Mayo Clinic.
AT&T has recently released a fraud warning for area code (809). Calls to this area code are billable in the same manner as the (900) area code, that is, you pay for each minute (or second) you are on the phone. The costs are astronomical and some people in the Bahamas are trying to defraud you of your money.
Sophisticated advertising and promotion through e-mails, mass phone messages and other media urge you to call for information on a injured relative, call to obtain your free something, or call to claim your lottery winnings or prize. Pure fraud. The cost per minute - $2,425.00
Don't ever call area code (809) for any reason! We recommend that you not call area code (900) either.
Dated Saturday, September 15, 2001
The death toll is now four, after four loaded barges slammed into the state's longest bridge, the Queen Isabella Causeway, early this morning. Three of the victims died after their cars plunged into the water. A fourth victim died this afternoon at a local hospital after he was pulled from the water. As many as 10 cars are believed to have plummeted into the Laguna Madre. Divers have located five vehicles submerged in the water. It remains unclear how many people are missing. At least 13 people have been rescued. Authorities say that the Brown Water Marine Services and its four barges rammed into the Queen Isabella Causeway at around two o'clock this morning. Also, a concrete pillar that supported the Queen Isabella Causeway toppled this afternoon after officials had tried earlier to reinforce it. The pillar was left standing after the barges rammed into the bridge. Coast Guard helicopters and boats, along with numerous other officials, are on the scene. Officials tell us that a ferry service is being set up to get people off the island. The 2.37-mile causeway is the state's longest bridge. (compliments of www.KGRC.com)
Editor's Note: The death toll has increased to eight and the bridge is now expected to open sometime in December. The car ferry is now operating, but call for specific times.