Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where blood clots can develop in the legs. It is caused by staying immobile for hours on end. If those large muscles in the legs can’t contract for a while, blood can start to build up. If this happens for too long, the pool of blood becomes too great and a clot can occur. People may feel cramps, soreness, and swelling.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has just released a study of this. Who faces double the risk for thrombosis? The WHO says anyone who travels more than four hours in a cramped space. The most obvious (and frequent) cause of deep vein thrombosis is sitting in an airplane seat. Considering most plane trips across the Atlantic or Pacific are more than four hours, the risk for thrombosis immediately doubles.
That said, the WHO estimates that it will affect one in 6,000 passengers on long flights. Those who are most at risk include tall people (legs jammed) and very short individuals (feet don’t touch the ground). They are most vulnerable to blood clots that can be dangerous.
Blood clots are not a good thing. Though in this case it develops in a leg, the clot can travel elsewhere. The lungs are a dangerous destination for that clot. It can block blood flow, causing what’s called “pulmonary embolism,” where breathing is difficult and pain is felt in the chest. If left unchecked, it can prove fatal.
WHO researchers say the risk increases when a passenger sits for four hours or more, immobile, in a plane, bus, car, or train. They add that obese people, women taking birth control, and anyone with a blood clotting disorder is at a further risk.
Thankfully, each traveler’s overall risk is low. But the more one travels, the more thrombosis should be considered. If you are on long flights or rides, consider taking measures to reduce the likelihood of a clot in the legs. Every so often, stand up and take a walk up and down the aisles. You don’t even have to stand up to exercise the legs. Move your ankles and feet up and down to exercise calf muscles. It’s also not a great idea to pop sleeping pills or drink a lot of alcohol on trips. Finally, wear loose clothing so it doesn’t constrict circulation.
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