BEST STAY-HEALTHY HOLIDAY TIPS

SOLUTIONS FOR DVT, JET LAG AND MORE

Can an aisle seat cut risk of DVT?

LEADING VASCULAR SURGEON AND DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) EXPERT PROFESSOR MARK WHITELEY OF THE WHITELEY CLINIC, GUILDFORD, GIVES THESE TIPS: COMMONEST CAUSE OF DVT? SITTING STILL FOR TOO LONG – FOR EXAMPLE, ON A LONGHAUL FLIGHT CAN CAUSE BLOOD FLOW IN THE LEG VEINS TO BECOME SLUGGISH AND POOL, WHICH CAN LEAD A BLOOD CLOT FORMING IN A DEEP VEIN OF THE LEG. WHILE YOUR RISK OF GETTING A SERIOUS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) IS RELATIVELY SMALL, IT INCREASES IF YOUR FLIGHT IS MORE THAN FOUR HOURS LONG OR YOU HAVE ANY RISK FACTORS INCLUDING SMOKING, TAKING THE COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL, PREGNANCY, A MEDICAL OR FAMILY HISTORY OF CIRCULATORY PROBLEMS. THE SYMPTOMS? IF YOU DEVELOP SWELLING, PAIN OR A HEAVY ACHE IN A LEG, WARM AND/ OR REDDENED SKIN, ESPECIALLY AT THE BACK BELOW THE KNEE AFTER GETTING OFF A PLANE, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK?

BOOK AN AISLE SEAT, WHERE IT’S EASIER TO GET OUT AND MOVE ABOUT. RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WHO SIT IN WINDOW SEATS ARE MORE PRONE TO DVT.

WEAR LOOSE, COMFORTABLE CLOTHING AND FLIGHT COMPRESSION SOCKS.

TAKE REGULAR WALKS UP AND DOWN

THE CABIN TO STRETCH YOUR LEGS.

DRINK A LITRE OF WATER FOR EVERY FIVE HOURS IN THE AIR. AVOID DEHYDRATING ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE.

PUMP UP YOUR VEINS BY CIRCLING YOUR FEET, FLEXING AND STRETCHING ANKLES,

AND ROCKING FROM HEEL TO TOE.

NOTE DVT can be a sign of a hidden cancer, especially in people aged

40+. A 2016 NICE guideline recommends anyone experiencing DVT for the first time with no obvious cause (including air travel) is tested.