Thanks to a few high profile cases of Deep Vein Thrombosis some years ago, majority of passengers flying from Glasgow airport have heard of DVT. Sometimes referred to as 'economy class syndrome' because of the reduced leg room in economy class, DVT can in fact affect first- and business-class passengers.
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a deep leg vein - a blood vessel that goes through the muscles, not one that you can see just below the skin
Irrespective of which class you are flying in, you should ensure that during the flight, particularly on long-haul flights, you:
*Get comfortable in your seat - place your hand luggage in the overhead compartment to ensure you have maximum leg room
*Avoid drinking alcohol which can lead to dehydration and immobility and drink plenty of water throughout the flight
*Do not take any sleeping tablets that will cause you to sleep for the duration of the flight
*Every so often, exercise your legs - bend and straighten your legs; rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes; press the balls of your feet hard down on the floor to prevent the blood pooling in your feet and increase the blood flow in your legs
*Stretch your upper body and do breathing exercises to further improve circulation
*Try to walk up and down the aisle every now and then to get your blood moving
*Special compression stockings have been developed that can help to prevent travel related DVT. The stockings can be bought at most pharmacies, and need to be 'graduated compression' stockings, worn up to the knee with the correct amount of compression (class 2) - your pharmacy will be able to advise you on the correct stockings to buy. However, it is still important to continue with leg exercises throughout the journey as the stockings are an extra prevention, not a cure.
*It has also been suggested that taking a small amount of aspirin (100mg - 150mg) the day before the flight, the day of the flight and a few days after, can help to prevent DVT - some people are sensitive to aspirin, so check with your doctor first.
If you have any suspicions that you may be at risk from DVT, consult your doctor before you travel as you may be advised to take extra medication to prevent your blood clotting.
When you land, try to walk around a bit to get your blood really flowing properly again. Keep an eye on your legs and if you notice any out of the ordinary swelling - some swelling on long-haul flights is normal - or you have difficulty breathing, request medical advice immediately.
Overall, DVT is a relatively rare occurrence when travelling long haul and only a very small minority of people will ever need to take extra medication during a flight. The best advice for travellers concerned about DVT is to carry out regular leg and feet exercises throughout the flight. However, if you are at all concerned, please consult your doctor before you travel.
*This article was written purely as a guide to preventing DVT and is not intended to replace qualified medical advice.
About the Author
Paula Garrett is a contributor to Glasgow airport information website which offers up-to-date travel information, advice and further tips on in-flight travel health .
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