The Health Blog

TRAVEL – INTRODUCTION

Travellers run many risks, such as lost luggage, expensive “bargains” and the local tummy wog that gives a bout of diarrhoea.

But some travellers may also face an added risk, merely by the fact of travelling. Sitting still for prolonged periods in a car, bus, train or plane can lead to problems in veins and may give rise to the formation of clots.

The venous return of blood from the lower limbs is assisted by muscular activity in the legs when we walk or run. Sitting for long periods, particularly if the veins are constricted by pressure of the seat, by crossing the legs or from panty girdles may lead to inflammation in the vein or to the silent formation of a blood clot.

This is more likely in those who have an increased tendency for clot formation. Pregnant women, those on the Pill, people with varicose veins or those with a previous history of clots are particularly at risk.

To lessen the risks, travellers should be encouraged to stretch their legs from time to time. Movin the feet up and down every so often, stretching the legs straight out, tightening the muscles of the buttock and the abdomen and taking deep breaths are all good exercises to do while on long trips. All these measures help to improve the flow of the blood through the veins back to the heart.

Getting up and walking up and down the aisle in a plane, or stopping every hour or so for a five-minute walk when driving long distances, can be a great help.

Aspirin has been found to reduce the “stickiness” of platelets, factors in the blood which are con¬cerned with clotting.

Taking even one aspirin a day can be beneficial in lessening the risk of a clot developing under these circumstances.

*579/71/1*

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