Blood clots are an uncomfortable and potentially fatal condition. And unfortunately, in our society where we're often expected to sit for long periods of time--on planes, at our desks--they're an all-too-common occurrence. If you're planning on taking a long-haul flight this holiday season, make sure you take steps to prevent a blood clot -- you're life could depend on it. Here are some tips:

• Talk to your doctor beforehand to determine if you have any risk factors for DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolisms.
  
• If you're at risk, make sure you're not taking any medications that can lead to clots. Birth control pills and patches are a common medication that have been shown to lead to blood clots.
  
• Drink lots of water before, during and after long flights.
• Avoid lying down for long stretches of time

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For those who take it on a regular basis, and who remember to take it every day at the same time, the pill is a pretty effective form of contraception. It's not for everyone though, so those who are thinking of going on the pill should take a look at this article, which discusses some of the pros and cons of the oral contraceptive.

Some of the more well-known pros include clearer skin, lighter periods and less severe or no cramps. One of the major cons that I've heard women talk about is the extra weight gain associated with taking the pill. However, I've also heard that no one should gain more than a few pounds, if any. Also, the pill protects again some forms of cancer, like ovarian and endometrial cancer, but may increase the risk of breast, cervical and liver cancer. Also, smokers, especially those over age 35, who take the pill are at risk of developing life threatening blood clots.

So that's the good and the bad, but what about the stuff they don't tell you? A women quoted in the article insists that she noticed an increase in her sex drive when she quit taking the contraceptive, but admits it could be due to a number of factors. I know a women who insists that her curly hair went completely straight when she went on the pill and another who says that for the first week she starting taking the contraceptive, her emotions went wild.

As usual, the best way to find out if the pill is right for you is to do some research, talk to your doctor and make sure to ask lots of questions and ensure any concerns you have are addressed before you make your choice.

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Air travelers are often warned to move about during flights to lower their risk of forming blood clots, and some airlines have even created in flight exercise plans to encourage frequent movement. But what is your actual risk of developing this dangerous condition? Dutch researchers have actually nailed the number down, and the average person's risk might be less than you think: 1 in 4,656. Some people who don't fall into the "average" person category are:

• people under 30
• women on birth control pills
• those who are overly short, tall, or overweight

In addition, your risk doesn't drop the minute you walk off a flight. Instead, it lasts up to two weeks. So while you may not be at a high risk for developing a blood clot during travel, all the moving around still can't hurt.

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As far as dangerous occupations go, desk jockeys may not consider their jobs hazardous. But sitting at a desk all day or traveling extensively can take a long-term toll on your health. Martha recently wrote about "deskercise" or working out while sitting at your desk. Getting the blood flowing can prevent office hazard number one -- blood clots. A recent study found that over 1/3 of people who suffered blood clots spent their days sitting. Take a break at least every two hours to get up and move to lower your risk.

Other workplace hazards include travel stress, dirty desks (especially for women), poor air quality, and back and shoulder pain. Take a minute today to examine your work environment...are there any other trouble areas that have been off this list? Let us know!

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Women who used birth control pills in the 1960s would be amazed at the range of options open to women today. There are patches, shots, and even pills that shorten the menstrual cycle.

Recently, the FDA has started taking a closer look at the newer versions of "the pill." While the high-estrogen birth control pills of yesterday allowed only one pregnancy out of a hundred when taken for a year, the newer pills appear to allow two pregnancies. Whether this difference is cause for concern or not is the topic of discussion among a panel of experts at the FDA this week. A decision needs to be made on whether the contraceptive pill industry needs to create higher standards of effectiveness or whether the benefits of lower-estrogen pills outweigh the risks.

Because of their high levels of estrogen, the old fashioned pills carried a higher risk of blood clots and heart damage. The lower estrogen counterparts are thought to be safer, but because of the way testing is completed, it's hard to compare. Modern clinical trials are completed with non-smoking women at a healthy weight, so its difficult to predict how the drug will interact with the general population.

New and innovative contraception products hit pharmacy shelves on a regular basis, so I think a review by the FDA is probably a good thing. What do you think?

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