Air Travel and Deep Vein Thrombo
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Air Travel and Deep Vein Thrombosis
By Debbie Miller, RN
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If you travel often,
you’ve most likely read about the increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
during air travel. Just what is DVT, and how can you prevent it?
A DVT is clotting of the
blood in a deep vein, most often in the calves. Sometimes these clots break free
and lodge in the arteries of the lung, causing what is called a Pulmonary
Embolism (PE). PE can be life threatening.
You need to see a doctor
if you develop signs of DVT. Possible signs of a DVT are pain, tenderness or
swelling in the leg, skin warm to the touch and discoloration or visibly large
veins. About 50 percent of people will only develop minimal signs of a DVT or
show no signs at all.
Signs of a PE include
shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, increased sweating or anxiety, sharp
chest pain, rapid pulse and coughing up blood. Any of these signs are cause to
seek immediate medical care.
The correlation between
air travel and DVT is due to immobility during the flight. Immobility is a risk
factor of DVT, as well as injuries, inherited clotting disorders, infections and
inflammatory diseases, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, cancer, smoking and
obesity. Most persons who get a DVT are older than 60, but it can happen in
young travelers, as well.
Here are some tips to help
prevent a DVT while traveling: Stay well hydrated, avoiding alcohol and drinking
plenty of water. Elevate your feet as much as possible on the plane, and walk a
bit before the flight, as well as during it. Wear non-restrictive clothing and
perform seat exercises and stretches. For info on exact exercises, check out
www.dvt.net.
