Summer Travel Advice for avoiding Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Travel
Ready to enjoy some summer time travel? Make sure your trip is not shortened by a serious health concern. Small, cramped seating on an airplane, or sitting in a car for a prolonged period of time, may be more of a problem that just causing discomfort. Inactivity in a confined space can slow circulation and cause legs to swell and become painful. Sitting with bent knees compress the deep vein behind the knee, potentially creating a blood clot to form.
DVT Risks
Dry air, decreased oxygen, low cabin pressure, and alcohol consumption in a plane cause dehydration, making blood more concentrated and sluggish. Any combination of these factors can increase the risk of a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg).
You’re at an even greater risk of a DVT if you have an inherited condition that increases your risk of a blood clot, are being treated for cancer, have varicose veins, or have low blood flow due to recent surgery. Additional factors which increase your risk of DVT include: being pregnant, overweight, taking birth control pills or hormone therapy, or over the age of 60.
- Traveling by airplane? Get up and move around whenever possible. Walking up and down the aisles once an hour is highly recommended, especially during longer flights.
- Traveling by car? Take a break every one to two hours to have a short walk. Pull over in a safe area, get out of the car, walk briskly, breathe deeply, and gently stretch.
If you cannot get up or out of your seat; exercise in your seat by flexing your feet and moving your legs to improve blood flow in the calves; try 30-40 of these movements every half-hour.
Other things to consider when traveling long distances:
- Ask your vein specialist about appropriate compression stockings.
- Consume plenty of water and limit alcohol when flying.
- Don’t wear tight clothing.
- Avoid crossing your legs at the knee when sitting.
- Store your bags in a place where they won’t hinder your leg movement.
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