 |
Deep Vein Thrombosis...an In Flight Risk
DVT?
an in flight risk
by Cathy Gatson
Planning to do some long distance traveling this summer be it train, plane or automobile?here is some important information to pack with you to avoid this trip from being your last leg.
WHAT IS IT?
DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the deep vein of the leg. The Deep Vein in the leg passes through the center of the leg and is surrounded by muscle. Superficial veins are on top of the muscle and are visible to the eye.
DVT's usually occur in the lower leg between the ankle and the knee areas. DVT's are serious and can be fatal. Once a blood clot occurs, it can travel through the veins and get lodged in the lungs or heart resulting in death.
Since DVT can develop very rapidly, symptoms, if any may be difficult to detect. In fact, an estimated 50% of reported DVT incidents went undetected. However, seek medical advice if during or after a flight you experience:
Pain and warmth in the lower legs
Prickly sensation in the legs
Warmness or swelling of the feet or legs
Shortness of breath
Noticeable pain in the lower legs that worsens when walking or standing
IN FLIGHT RISK
What's the connection between travel and blood clots? Keeping the legs in a cramped position and inactive for long periods of time restricts the blood flow in the legs and increases the risk of a blood clot.
Some doctors believe that DVT is "more common today as a result of two factors, the increase in the number of frequent flyers and airline deregulation". As a result of deregulation, the distance between one airline seat to the one in front of it is no longer regulated. Many airlines moved seats closer together in order to fit more passengers on the planes thereby reducing the leg room between seats from 40 inches to 28.
Tighter seating arrangements plus existing medical conditions can equal danger.
History of blood clots
Cancer
Prolonged bed rest following orthopedic surgery
Estrogen therapy
Obese or very tall individuals
Birth control pills
Recent treatment involving general anesthesia
Cigarette smoker
Previous thrombotic episode
Congestive heart failure
Pregnancy
Dehydration
If you have any of the above conditions it is wise to seek medical advice before traveling.
STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT
Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of a DVT:
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration before and during your trip.
Try to keep your thighs clear of the edge of your seat.
Wear loose fitting clothing.
Keep the legs uncrossed.
Wear graduated compression hose (www.healthylegs.com or www.supporthosiery.com)
Get up and walk for 5 minutes every hour. If you cannot stand flex your ankles up and down and curl your toes about 20 times every hour. These exercises will help stimulate blood flow through the legs.
Aspirin - it is suggested to take an aspirin before departing and at safe intervals during your trip - consult with your doctor.
Now, the informed traveler, get fly, go fly and be safe!
Further information
www.dvt.net, www.economyclasssyndrome.net.
Cathy Gatson is a freelance writer and owner/operator of Yada Beauty Lounge, a hair and body salon in Northern California.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Seven Quick and Simple Reminders for Healthy Skin
Healthy skin is a sign of good health. The skin is the largest vital organ in our body comprising of about two billion cells and has a surface area of around two square meters.
Should You Get Plastic Surgery?
These days, plastic surgery is often much maligned, and while the apparent levity with which it is sometimes undertaken and its almost epidemic-type spread can seem rather worrying, the benefits of plastic surgery can easily be overlooked. While there is an overwhelming array of various plastic surgery horror stories reported in the press, the quiet stories of success often remain untold.
Buying A Wholesale Tanning Bed
The tanning industry is showing no signs of stopping. If you ever wanted to open a tanning salon, now is the time to buy wholesale tanning beds.
Home Tanning Beds Are A Great Investment
If you're like many of us and just have to have that suntan whether it's August or January then you should seriously think about buying a home tanning bed. Home tanning beds are a great investment.
Miracle Spa In The Palm of Your Hands!
Dermaglow Miracle Spa, is a NEW range of organic and natural home products that wrap your skin in a luxurious spa sensation. Developed by leading pharmacist Calvin Davies founder of Vital Science skin health in Canada, this exclusive range combines gentle Dead Sea salts and sea mineral exfoliants in delicate blends of the finest essential oils.
Are You Happy With Your Hairdresser and Salon?
How many times in your life do you think you will go to a salon
to get your hair cut or styled? Let's see, if you start when you're about 2 years old and go 6 times a year until you're about 70 years old, that turns out to be over 400 visits. Even more impressive is the amount of money (over $12,000 USD for average $30 visits) you will end up spending in your lifetime to cut, style and care for your hair.
Best Plastic Surgeon for the Money
If you have made the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery, then you have clearly done a cost benefit analysis and decided that the large expense of having a plastic surgery operation done does not outweigh the benefits to be accrued from the plastic surgery. If you are so unhappy with some physical feature that you think about it all the time or it inhibits you from living a full, successful life, or if you have a special occasion coming up and want to enhance your appearance for it, or you are in pain that could be alleviated through plastic surgery, then the benefits of plastic surgery could be great.
Houston Plastic Surgeon
If you live in Houston Texas and you are looking for a plastic surgeon, then you're not alone. Houston is one of the major cities where people go to enhance their appearance.
Breast Growth - Stimulating Further Breast Growth in Women and Men
Breast growth occurs in teenage women as a normal part of puberty. This is caused by hormonal changes in the body, mainly associated with the adrenal gland, and the female sex hormone estrogen.
For All Those Beginners: How Do I Put On Make-Up?
It is very important to start with a clean slate. Use a gentle cleanser with a light exfoliant.
Permanent Laser Hair Removal
Many people are burdened by what society has deemed "unsightly" hair. Shaving is only a brief solution to this problem and quickly leaves tell-tale stubble.
Tanses Tanning Equipment
Tanses tanning equipment is well known in its field. Tanses tanning equipment has developed a very good reputation.
How to Co-Wash Natural Black Hair
If you wear your hair natural, you are probably familiar with co-washing, or washing the hair with conditioner only. Conditioner washing avoids harsh results from frequent washing with shampoos and helps to keep natural black hair soft and manageable.
Options Available for Cosmetic Surgery in India
Medical Tourism is a new and developing concept worldwide and one of the major surgeries for which patients opt for Medical Tourism is Cosmetic Surgery, and what better place to get this done than India. Advantages include low cost, no waiting lists and a high quality holiday.
Reversing the Aging Process
Many scientists would say that we don't know what is responsible for the aging process. Others might say that it is a normal part of the life cycle.
Serious Skincare
Serious skin care vs. winter weather, cleansers, and stress.
Petroleum and Cosmetics: What are the Potential Health Risks?
What is petroleum?Crude oil, sometimes called petroleum, is a fossil fuel that was produced deep in the earth through a process that took millions of years to complete.Millions of years later, almost all of us come into contact with a derivative of petroleum every day.
Make An Easy Lotion For Your Skin
Years ago I found out how incredible easy it is to make lotion. It is so inexpensive and organic that I wondered why anyone would even consider spending a dime on the chemical rich lotions on the market.
Exercise and Your Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery can make an exciting and lasting difference in the way your face and body look. Many see the results as 'life-changing'.
Face Lift Without Surgery
As we age facial muscles weaken, and skin begins to sag. But just as gym workouts can promote the body's youthful strength and suppleness, facial exercise - based on the same principles of dynamic resistance - can strengthen facial muscles.
|
