As travelers make their way over the river and through the woods this holiday season, they’ll likely have planned for a number of health scenarios, from motion sickness to pounding headaches to food poisoning from mid-air meals. But few passengers consider one of the most serious threats of all: deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition that can result from extended periods of travel.
As mentioned in this article in the Union-Tribune, DVT occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs and thighs, which, unlike superficial veins, cannot be seen to the naked eye. When a clot forms, blood flow can become blocked, causing swelling, pain and in serious cases, embolisms, which can cause tissue death, respiratory failure, or other potentially fatal conditions. In rare cases, an embolism can travel paradoxically from the right to the left side of the heart via a small hole called the patent foreman ovale and cause a stroke. This is the most common way strokes occur in young patients.
Mitch Bowan, an Aeromedevac Chief Flight Nurse, explains, “as with many travel related ailments Deep Vein Thrombosis is often caused because the patient was unaware of the danger. Deep Vein Thrombosis can be prevented with regular movement, stretching and drinking plenty of water as the article in the Union-Tribune recommends. This is especially true for travelers over the age of sixty, those with mobility issues and smokers. It is important to consider your own health and these preventative measures when embarking on long periods of travel.”
Have safe & happy travels this holiday season!
