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An Israeli
scientist says Jesus died from deep vein thrombosis. I don't know
how valid that thesis is, but I do know that there is some
evidence that long-haul flights are in some way related to DVT.
This may be especially true for passengers who have little or no
in-flight exercise and are seated in Economy, where the seats are
cramped and uncomfortable.
The experts
are not completely certain as to all the casual factors involved in
DVT. However, they are agreed that lack of exercise, or immobility,
during long-haul flights are major underlying risks. They have also
concluded that people at increased risk of DVT/PE are, in general,
more likely to develop travel-related DVT/PE.
Although the
incidence of DVT relating to air travel is admittedly small, Economy
class passengers should carry out some sort of in-seat exercises
and, whenever safe, should walk the isles.
What is DVT:
Deep vein
thrombosis [thrombosis means forming a blood clot] is a blood clot
[a jelly-like mass of congealed blood] within a vein deep in the
body. Usually, the body absorbs the clot once bleeding stops and
healing begins.
DVT occurs
when a large blood clot, which formed in a deep vein, remains
there. It becomes dangerous when the clot is dislodged and travels
all the way to the lungs where it blocks a vessel. This condition
is known as Pulmonary Embolism [PE].
DVT Symptoms:
Symptoms
include swelling, pain, tenderness and redness most often at the
back of the leg, below the knee. It is frequently, but not always,
confined to only one leg. DVT can also cause breathlessness, chest
pain and, in severe cases, collapse. However, often times there are
no symptoms at all, and the condition only become obvious when a
Pulmonary Embolus [PE] develops from the clots in the legs.
Bending the
foot upward, towards the knee, may make the pain worse.
The
association of DVT with air travel is a rare condition. However,
DVT follows varicose veins as the second most common vascular
problem in the United States, affecting as many as 600,000
individuals every year. No matter the cause, it is a very serious
condition requiring urgent medical treatment.
Who's at Risk of
DVT/PE:
The risk of
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolus is not high; at greatest
risk are those:
- Who are
smokers;
- Those who
are diabetic;
- With
varicose veins;
- Who are
obese;
- Suffering
from dehydration;
- Women
who:
- Are
pregnant;
- Have
recently had a baby;
- Are
taking the contraceptive pill; or
- Are
on hormone replacement therapy or HRT;
- Over 40
years of age;
- Who have
already had blood clots;
- With a
family history of blood clots;
- Suffering
from, or who have had treatment for, cancer;
- With
certain blood diseases;
- Being
treated for heart failure or circulation problems;
- Who have
had recent surgery, especially on the abdomen, hips or knees;
- Those who
have just suffered a bone fracture; or
- Who have
an inherited clotting tendency.
Causes:
The causes of
DVT, and PE, are not well understood. What is known is that those
at risk, as enumerated above, constitute about 90 to 95% of those
who fall victim to DVT and/or PE.
What is well
understood is that Deep Vein Thrombosis can occur in normal veins
for no obvious reason. It is also well understood that it is linked
with people who have been immobile for long periods of time.
Recommendations:
If any of the
above listed risk categories apply to you, or if you have any other
concerns about your health and flying, we recommend that you seek
medical advise before traveling. We also recommend that you do the
following to avoid DVT/PE and to enhance your in-flight comfort:
- Wear
compression stockings to prevent feet and ankle swelling. This
may also improve the return of your blood from the lower legs to
the heart. Such stockings, which should be fitted to your
individual measurements, can be purchased from medical and
surgical supply companies.
- Move your
legs and feet for three to four minutes per hour while seated;
- Move
about the cabin whenever safe;
- Do the
exercises listed in our article 'In-flight
Exercises'.
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