Several studies, conducted for the past 50 years, have shown that travel, especially frequent flying is closely associated with the development of blood clots that can cause long-term health complications.
A recent research has revealed that individuals who take regular flights may have the risk of a blood clot. This is primarily because immobility due to the extremely cramped seating arrangement on flights, popularly known as the ‘economy class syndrome’. This is one of the major reasons for the development of a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. It may also occur in case there is a change in the blood composition or a blockage. DVT is the result of a blood clot that may occur in the deep veins of one’s body, generally the legs during travelling.
When a clot forms inside one of your veins, it won’t always dissolve on its own. This can be a very dangerous and even life-threatening situation. The blood clot may break apart and travel to another organ of the body as well, blocking the flow of blood and resulting in a stroke or a heart attack. A clot sometimes also occurs in the eye, which may disrupt vision causing sudden blindness.
Some other factors apart from a long period of travelling that increase the risk of DVT include obesity, an individual’s stature, the kind of oral contraceptive that the individual is taking and in case of hereditary disorder. Travelling in combination with one or more of the above-mentioned risk factors can increase the risk of DVT up to 20% to 50%.
However, DVT is a risk that is quite manageable only if frequent travellers are well aware of the condition and how to prevent it. When it comes to minimizing the risk of developing a blood clot while travelling, some precautions can be taken. For instance, if you are at a risk of DVT you should opt for an aisle seat or pay a bit extra cash and choose a seat with more leg space.
It is always better to inform the airline about your condition and ensure that you travel comfortably. One needs to wear comfortable and light foot wear as well as loose-fitting clothes for effective blood flow in the body. Besides, one needs to take plenty of water and other fluids, while travelling long distance on a flight.
All in all, early diagnosis and treatment of DVT can often lead to recovery. Recent advances in technology have brought forth a variety of minimally invasive procedures to relieve DVT symptoms.
Ms Kalinga