When travelling involves long distances in airplanes and other vehicle rides where you only get to sit there for several hours, you are exposed to DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis. If you are a frequent traveler and just heard about this, DVT rarely happens to every traveler but everyone is at risk of it, especially at long flights that exceeds 3 hours. The other one is called Pulmonary Embolism in which it is similar with DVT. This occurs when there is a blood clot formation in the large vein. There are instances when a part of the clot breaks off and then travels to the lungs which cases pulmonary embolism in which it can be very fatal or cause death.
The reason why travelers are exposed to DVT is because they are restricted to make any movements while they are en route to their destination, especially when riding airplanes. Although majority of the DVT cases are related to air travel, it can also occur while travelling by car, train or bus. The people that have high risk to DVT includes the following:
- Those that have a previous experience with blood clot
- A history in the family having blood clots
- Recent injury or surgery
- Obesity
- Old age
- Undergoing chemotherapy or having active cancer
- Limited mobility
- Having hormone replacement therapy or those using birth control treatments containing estrogen
If you are none of the above except having limited mobility, you are still likely to develop DVT. So how do you prevent yourself from getting DVT?
- Walk around and get up occasionally.
- It is not advisable to be walking and getting up while travelling in airplanes so while you are sitting it is advised that you raise and lower the heels while you keep your toes still on the floor. Your toes should be raised and lowered occasionally as well but you should keep the heels on the floor. Include tightening of and releasing the muscles of your legs.
- Acquire a properly fitted compression stockings that you should wear before you travel.
- Take medications that are recommended for you to prevent the development of DVT.
You will be able to tell that you are developing DVT when you feel that you are always short of breath, there is a swelling pain or tenderness on the limb that is affected, usually the leg and redness in the skin of the affected part.