A leg injury, leg surgery, or bed rest may prevent people from using their legs. When the legs are not being used, blood moves more slowly from the leg veins to the heart. Blood clots are more likely to form in this slow-moving blood. Blood clots in a leg (deep venous thrombosis ) sometimes travel from the leg to the lungs and block a blood vessel there (called pulmonary embolism ). These clots can be life threatening.
Pneumatic compression stockings may be used to prevent blood clots. Powered by an electric pump, these stockings repeatedly squeeze the calves and move blood into and through the veins.
People at high risk of developing blood clots may be given an anticoagulant (such as heparin), injected under the skin of the abdomen or arm. Sometimes an anticoagulant pill is given by mouth. Anticoagulants help keep blood from clotting and are sometimes called “blood thinners.”
Constipation
When people stay in bed or are less active, stool (feces) moves more slowly through the intestine and rectum and out of the body. Thus, constipation is more likely to occur. Also, people staying in the hospital may be taking drugs (such as certain pain relievers) that cause constipation.
To prevent constipation, staff members encourage people to drink plenty of fluids, and extra fiber is included as part of meals or as a supplement. Stool softeners or laxatives may be prescribed and may be continued after the person is discharged from the hospital.
