WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL AND VEIN THROMBOSIS?
People who have varicose veins or who have had deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should be extra careful during long distance travel by car or specially by plane. The motionless sitting position, and possible concomitant dehydration could facilitate blood clots as it stagnates in the leg veins by gravitation and by absence of calf pump activity. As measure of prevention gradient surgical stocking up to the knee should be worn during the flight. Get up every 45-60 minutes and walk in the aisle. In between, move your feet up and down. Fluids should be consumed in large amounts. In airplanes the air is dry favoring fluid loss through our breathing and perspiration making the blood more viscous. One should refrain from alcoholic beverages as these promote vasodilation and further fluid loss through the skin. Personally, I would also advise that the day of flight, or even a few days before, one tablet of baby Aspirin (81mg) should be consumed as well. Fluids should be consumed in large amounts but
