Travelling Tips to Get Your Blood Flowing (And Reduce Your Chances of Developing DVT)
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
One of the biggest health risk factors associated with travelling is deep vein thrombosis which occurs due to the lack of movement associated with long haul flights, trains or car journeys. As any traveller will be able to contest, trips can often mean being seated for uncomfortably long hours at a time – and in some cases, cramped conditions (with some airline seats being a petite width of 16.25 inches).
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot in one of the deep veins in the body, usually occurring in one of the larger veins that run through the muscles of the calf and thigh. These clots can lead to even more serious health issues such as a pulmonary embolism which is a serious life-threatening condition caused by a blockage in the artery that transports blood to the lungs.
Sitting still for a considerable amount of time causes the blood flow to slow down which increases the chances of a blood clot forming. Unfortunately, thousands are affected by DVT, with recent studies revealing that as many as 900,000 people in the United States and 250,000 people in the UK are affected by this condition each year.
Those who develop DVT don’t always experience symptoms however some common warning signs include pain, swelling and tenderness, predominantly in the legs. Fortunately however, there are many quick and simple techniques which have been proven to minimise the chances of developing DVT whilst travelling such as:
Going for a Walk
Reserving a seat on the plane or train doesn’t mean that you have to stay seated for the entire journey. It’s highly recommended to take the opportunity to get up and stretch or go for a walk down the aisle whenever you can. Doing so will not only help to get your blood flowing but it will also help you towards achieving a recommended 10,000 steps a day (the equivalent of approximately 5 miles) which is invaluable for your health! And if you’re travelling by car then why not break up the journey and make use of the refuelling stops by going for a short and much needed stroll?
Avoiding Sleeping Pills
Whilst it can be tempting to try and sleep the journey away (especially for those long haul flights) the use of artificial sleeping pills can actually increase your risk of developing DVT. Recent cases of DVT developed during plane journeys have highlighted the inherent risks of taking sleeping pills whilst travelling. Sleeping in an upright seated position also compresses the veins of the pelvis, further slowing down blood flow to the legs.
Staying Hydrated
This doesn’t mean that you should take up the airline’s two-for-one offer on G&Ts – stick to water instead. Dehydration can cause your blood to thicken, further increasing the risk of developing a blood clot. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day will help to prevent dehydration, so always bring a bottle of water with you when you travel. It’s also important to steer clear of any drinks that can increase the risk of dehydration such as alcoholic beverages or coffee.
Wearing Compression Socks
Another preventative measure is to wear compression socks, sometimes referred to as ‘flight socks’. These help to reduce swelling in the leg by mimicking the normal action of the calf muscle. They achieve this by applying more pressure to the lower portion of the leg and less pressure to the top, allowing the blood to circulate more effectively and reduce the chance of a blood clot.
Compression socks are readily available in pharmacies and airports however they aren’t ‘one size fits all’ and therefore it is recommended to try before you buy. Badly fitting compression socks can have the opposite effect and may even increase the chances of a blood clot.
The statistics around DVT may sound a bit intimidating however incorporating these simple techniques has been proven to lower your risk of developing the condition, allowing you to focus your attention on more ‘pressing matters’ like how to find your hotel once you land.
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