Is the fear of blood clots getting in the way of your travel plans?
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common cause of hospitalization for patients over 60 years of age. A health scare can completely ruin your vacation and you surely do not want that. If you suffer from DVT or have a past history of blood clots in your leg and feet veins, it is best to take all precautions to avoid an emergency situation while travelling.
Introduction – What is DVT?
DVT is the medical term for what is commonly known as a blood clot. These blood clots occur deep inside the large veins that are responsible for carrying the blood from the legs and feet back to the heart.
These blood clots severely restrict the blood flow and damage the one-way valves in the affected veins. The restricted blood tends to pool in the affected veins which further results in the surrounding tissues being filled with fluids. These tissues become irritated and patients complain of unbearable pain.
This uncomfortable feeling often becomes dangerous when the blood clot travels up the heart and reaches the vessels that feed the lungs. Referred to as “Pulmonary Embolism”, it is a life-threatening disorder that makes it difficult for the lungs to supply oxygen to the bloodstream thus leading to difficulty in breathing.
Pregnant women, people over 60 years of age, overweight and obese people, and those suffering from cancer are commonly affected by DVT. Also, for people, who have lower levels of physical activity and tend to remain immobile for extended durations, a travel expedition can trigger blood clot formation and thus lead to DVT.
How to Prevent DVT?
The good news is that DVT can be prevented. The best cure is to remain mobile at all times. Follow the below-mentioned simple tips and enjoy a hassle-free trip to your favourite destination:
- If you have a long flight, the limited leg space in the airplane seat can be suffocating. Ensure you do not keep anything on the floor and have enough space for your legs. Try to get up from your seat and walk up and down the aisle once every hour. You can walk or perform mild exercises in between the connecting flights as well.
- If you are travelling long distances via road, it is advisable to get down once every 3-4 hours and stretch your legs. You must also get down if you seem to have got stuck in a heavy traffic jam.
- If you are at a place where you can not get up, ensure to exercise while sitting. Move your legs and feet as it will improve the blood circulation in your calves. Flex your ankles in the action you do when you press the car accelerator. This is recommended for 20-30 times in an hour.
- Consult your doctor about compression stockings. These are support stockings that are tight near the ankle and lose around the knee and thighs. They have been proven to prevent blood pooling by helping the veins to move the blood from the leg veins up to the heart.
- Drink sufficient amounts of water to stay hydrated as that avoids the blood from thickening.
- Avoid coffee and alcohol as they dehydrate the body and decrease the blood volume thus increasing the chances of DVT.
- You can also ask your doctor for some blood-thinning medicines if you have a medical history of blood clots and are about to undertake an expedition.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes around the waist as they are known to restrict the blood flow.
- Do not smoke cigarette or consume tobacco.
- Do not sit with crossed legs.
Conclusion
DVT is dangerous but can be prevented by being active during travel. No matter the place and time, always find the means to exercise your legs and feet. If you have a previous case of DVT, you are at a greater risk than others, but consulting your doctor before a trip can definitely reduce the risks.
Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a vascular surgeon and radiologist with 24 years of extensive experience. If you suffer from DVT or just want to be cautious about your health, schedule an appointment with Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Vascular Centre for a detailed analysis of your leg and feet vein health.
