What causes leg and foot swelling during air travel?
Leg and foot swelling during air travel is common and typically harmless. The most likely culprit is inactivity during a flight. Sitting with your feet on the floor for a long period causes blood to pool in your leg veins. The position of your legs when seated also increases pressure in your leg veins. This contributes to foot swelling by causing fluid to leave the blood and move into the surrounding soft tissues. To relieve foot swelling during a flight: • Wear loosefitting clothing. • Take a short walk every hour or so. • While you’re seated, flex and extend your ankles and knees often. • Shift position in your seat as much as possible, being careful to avoid crossing your legs. • Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. • Avoid alcohol and sedatives, which promote immobility. Foot swelling isn’t a serious problem if it lasts only a short time. But excessive swelling that persists for several hours after you resume activity may be due to a more serious condition, such as a bloo
Leg and foot swelling during air travel is common and typically harmless. The most likely culprit is inactivity during a flight. Sitting with your feet on the floor for a long period causes blood to pool in your leg veins. The position of your legs when you are seated also increases pressure in your leg veins. This contributes to foot swelling by causing fluid to leave the blood and move into the surrounding soft tissues. To relieve foot swelling during a flight: • Wear loosefitting clothing. • Take a short walk every hour or so. • Flex and extend your ankles and knees frequently while you’re seated. • Shift your position in your seat as much as possible, being careful to avoid crossing your legs. • Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. • Avoid alcohol and sedatives, which could make you too sleepy to walk around the cabin. Foot swelling isn’t a serious problem if it lasts only a short time. But excessive swelling that persists for several hours after you resume activity may b
