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Your Personal Health: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Our customers sometimes ask us about medical conditions related to air travel.  American Airlines appreciates its customers' interest in health topics and encourages passengers to consult with their doctors before traveling.

What Is DVT?

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein, usually in a leg.  This is a serious condition.  Sometimes these clots can break away and travel through the bloodstream to vital organs of the body and can cause severe injury or death.

Possible Risk Factors of DVT

Prolonged physical immobility, such as sitting for an extended period is considered in the medical community to be a risk factor associated with DVT.  People with certain medical conditions or who are taking some medications may also be at higher risk of developing DVT, including conditions or medications that affect blood flow, alter normal blood-clotting mechanisms, or cause blood-vessel damage.  Some of these are: Cancer, Hereditary blood-clotting disorders, Increasing age, Major illness with hospitalization, Obesity, Oral contraceptive use or hormone therapy, Personal history of DVT, Pregnancy, and Recent major surgery or trauma.

Possible Symptoms of DVT

Many DVTs do not produce any symptoms.  If symptoms do occur, they may include pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area.  Severe chest pain or problems breathing may indicate that a clot has traveled to the lungs.  Any concern should be evaluated by a physician immediately.

Possible Ways to Reduce the Risk of DVT

American encourages all passengers to consult with their doctors about DVT and other personal health issues before flying.  Because the cause of a DVT is often not known, the best methods of preventing DVTs are still uncertain.  To try to reduce the risk of DVT, however, many passengers may be advised by their doctors to take the following measures in flight:

* Regularly change leg position, and periodically move and stretch your legs and feet while seated.  Your doctor may suggest leg exercises - such as those described below - at regular intervals (at least every hour or so).

* If conditions allow and the aisles are clear, you may want to occasionally get up and walk around.  But remember that you must remain seated when the seat belt light is on and should remain in your seat with your seat belt fastened whenever possible, because of the possibility of turbulence.  And all passengers are required to comply with crew-member and/or FAA instructions - especially those relating to remaining seated.

* Avoid crossing the legs at the ankles or knees.

* Drink adequate nondiuretic fluids - such as water, juice, and milk - and minimize alcohol and caffeine intake.

* Wear loose-fitting clothing.

* Wear graduated-compression stockings.

It is possible that no measure intended to prevent DVT will be effective.  It is also possible that some of the measures listed above may not be recommended for some passengers, depending on their health situations or assessed by their doctors.

There are many sources of general information about air travel and health.  For more information about DVT, visit www.aa.com and type "DVT" in the search box.

Possible In-Flight Exercises

Ankle circles: Lift your foot off the floor.  With toes pointed, draw a circle in the air, alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise.  Continue for 30 seconds.  Repeat with your other foot.

Foot pumps: While keeping your heels on the floor, point your feet up as high as possible toward your head.  Put both feet back flat on the floor.  While keeping the balls of your feet on the floor, lift both heels high.  Continue for 30 seconds.

Knee lifts: While seated, march slowly in place by contracting each thigh muscle.  Continue for 30 seconds.

Knee to chest: Hold your left knee and pull up toward your chest.  Hold for 10 to 15 seconds.  Slowly return to floor.  Alternate legs 10 times.

These exercises should not be performed if they cause pain or discomfort or if not recommended by your doctor.

SOURCE:  American Way, December 15, 2005 - American Airlines-American Eagle

The information collected here has been developed over searches on the internet.  We are not in any way responsible for, or endorse, information on other web sites, it is here for public information.   Your doctor is the best source of leg health information and treatment.  We hope you find this information helpful.  This article has been provided courtesy of  Ames Walker Hosiery (ameswalker.com) and may be reproduced for personal use provided no part of this article (including the text contents) has been changed. Copyright © 2003  Ames Walker International Inc.