Dvt

Hey

My hubby is a bit worried about a 10 hour flight, he has some varicose veins which he thinks are dreadful (I dont think they are that bad). He is worried about getting a DVT on the flight.

Any words of wisdom or should I really go to the Drs and ask for advice?

Cheers

Dvt

You can buy flight stockings from places like ASDA or Boots for a few pounds - these provide support and are similar to the stockings you wear in hospital after an operation. These help minimise the chances of DLTs.

Also consider taking an aspirin a day for a week or 2 prior to flying and during the holiday (providing you do not have any adverse reaction to aspirin).

Dvt

And get him to drink plenty of water with the aspirin Manda. This is what I do. It helps thin the blood so lessening the chance of any blood clots forming. Walking and stretching on the plane is recommended as well.

Manda, I don%26#39;t have great circulation in my legs.

We%26#39;ve recently returned from Hawaii (17 hours of flying each way) and I was a little anxious about my circulation but was sensible and had no problems.

Buy good flight socks - I wear Scholl.

No alcohol on the flight (it always gives me a headache anyway!) Drink plenty of water.

Get up and move about the cabin regularly and when seated, try to %26#39;wiggle%26#39; your feet regular to encourage the circulation.

Idon%26#39;t take asprin but I know this is also recommended.

Having said all that, I see very few people wearing flight socks - (they%26#39;re not very attractive - especially for women) and I do wonder how much good they actually do. I know there was a big thing about DVTs a few years ago but actually, how many people do you hear about who have such problems after flying?

The risk factors of DVT are:

Over 40

Past DVT

Family history of DVT

Inherited consition causing blood to clot more than usual

Immobility

Obesity

Recent surgery or injury, especially to the hips, legs or knees

Pregnancy

Having recently had a baby

Having cancer and its treatments

Taking the contraceptive pill containing oestrogen

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Treatment for other circulatory or heart problems

The risk is due to prolonged immobility, which can happen on a plane, train, boat or car. Studies that have been previously carried out have said that it is very difficult to ascertain whether flying caused the DVT, or whether they were at a risk of happening anyway.

If hubby is concerned about the risk, the best idea would be for him to excercise his legs regularly before, during and after the flight, to wear flight socks and, as others have advised, to keep hydrated.

I am a health acre provider and the previous poster is absolutely correct. Immobility is probably the culprit in DVT related to flying. Walking in the aisles at least once every hour, exercising legs in seat, and not sitting with legs crossed are all important. Staying well hydrated also very important. One aspirin a day may give some very small benefit, but check with his healthcare provider first if he is on any other medicines or has nay healt conditions.

thats health care not acre. Sorry.

%26lt;but actually, how many people do you hear about who have such problems after flying%26gt;

We personally know 2, one death and one loss of a leg, but they were constant air travellers. Do take precautions if you are worried.

Me too. Funnily enough, my air hostess friend had DVT last year. She was in agony and laid up in hospital for a good few weeks. So it%26#39;s not as uncommon as some might think.

I have had dvts 3 times and it was nothing to do with flying.

They dont know why i had them.

But i am on warfarin now for the rest of my life.

But when i fly i still have to wear flight socks and move about.