Venous thrombosis – the danger of long travel
Summer is here! We get into a car, bus, train or plane and visit resorts and sights. Prolonged sitting during travel can be dangerous and favors the development of thrombosis.
One of the feared “complications” of long travel can be deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood circulation slows down in a limb that remains immobile for many hours and blood can simply clot in your vessels, which can lead to a life-threatening condition. If you're going on a long trip, be prepared. You can prevent thrombosis by using simple methods!
Venous thrombosis and long travel
Summer has arrived and it's holiday time. You get into a car, bus, train or plane and visit nearby or distant resorts and sights. Heat and prolonged sitting favor the development of thrombosis. In an immobile limb the circulation slows and stagnant blood can easily clot inside the vessels. The formed blood clot can almost imperceptibly block the blood flow.
Then when you stand up, the contracting muscles can “push” the clot out of its place. It can travel to the heart and from there to the lungs. That is pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition.
Besides the enforced lack of movement, other predisposing factors may also play a role. These include varicose, tortuous veins in the legs, increased blood coagulability, taking contraceptives or hormone preparations, diseases of the vessel wall, smoking, overweight and an already sedentary lifestyle.
If these apply to you, then you belong to the high-risk group. There's no need to panic, but if you're going on a longer trip, prepare to prevent it!
Symptoms of thrombosis
Venous thrombosis most often develops in the lower leg. The area around the blockage swells, the skin reddens and becomes warm, sensitive, and even quite painful.
A clot forming in the superficial veins is usually less dangerous. Sometimes it doesn't even require treatment.
A clot in the deep veins must always be taken very seriously. This form can only be treated in hospital, with anticoagulant and circulation-improving medications, and in certain cases even surgically.
If you notice the above symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. If thrombosis is suspected, do not start exercising! At that point movement could dislodge the clot from its place. If it starts moving toward the heart and then the lungs, a pulmonary embolism may develop, which is life-threatening.
Preventing thrombosis during travel
To avoid venous thrombosis while traveling, drink plenty of fluids. Wear compression stockings on your legs.
But most importantly, move your legs every hour (or even more often). If you're driving, stop at a rest area and walk around the car a few times. Even on a long flight there's the opportunity to stand up and walk a bit in the cabin. Move your calf muscles thoroughly. Rise up onto your toes, then lower onto your heels – repeat this a few dozen times. This works the calf muscles and stimulates circulation. If you can't stand up, you can do this toe-rise and foot-flexing movement while seated.
If the predisposing factors apply to you, it's worth taking a muscle stimulator device with you!
For example, one of these:
Rehalito muscle stimulatorRegular exercise, foot exercises and wearing compression stockings are very important. If you neglect these, use a device that improves the circulation in your legs!
