Not too long ago a friend of mine returned from a Caribbean vacation. He’s a healthy guy in his early 30’s and on the flight he fell asleep for the 7 hours home and didn’t wake up to move around or to drink. When he got home his calf hurt and it was swollen. After enduring considerable pain for a few days, he went to the doctor who confirmed he had a deep vein thrombosis – DVT for short and a potentially fatal condition that affects thousands of people every year. He’s is fine but it could have been a lot worse.
Thelink to air travel has earned DVT the nickname “economy class syndrome” by people who believe that prolonged sitting in confined conditions is a big factor in developing the problem. Symptoms include a swollen or painful calf or thigh. And, if left untreated, the clot could break away and lodge in the lungs or the brain, possibly proving fatal.
But ‘flight socks’ can help. They’re manufactured by several companies and cost between $25 & $45. A study last year found that wearing them can reduce the risk of developing DVT by 90%. They put pressure on the veins that are deep inside the calf, allowing the blood to keep moving, and not pool. It’s the pooling that creates the potential for clots to form.
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Wearing the socks is very effective but its not the only way to avoid DVT. There are other things long haul flyers can do:
Anything that gets the blood circulating will help. So get up and walk around. Wiggle your toes and circle your ankles. Researchers also recommend drinking lots of fluid so that you don’t get dehydrated.
You can find flight socks or compression socks at most drug stores. And although those flight socks may not be very fashionable, I can assure you I will be wearing them on my next long flight!
Twitter @clairenewell
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