Dangers of a long flight - deep vein thrombosis!

(Published on 14 November 2006 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Awareness is critical to prepare oneself for all eventualities. Little did Panna Marfatia know when she boarded the British Airways flight BA-139 from London to Mumbai on 4th November 2006 that she would not step out of the plane alive. Panna complained of uneasiness on board and was given medical treatment by the in-flight staff. However, Panna collapsed and was declared dead by the Sahar Airport doctor after the flight landed. The post-mortem stated cardiac arrest as the cause of death but it was suspected that she had suffered deep vein thrombosis.

What is deep vein thrombosis? Why does it happen? How can it be prevented? These are just few of the questions that come to one’s mind. Long flights result in passengers sitting in a sedentary, cramped position for a long duration of time. As a consequence blood flow slows down and there is poor blood circulation. The constricted blood circulation often leads to swelling of the feet. In extreme cases a blood clot develops in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg. Unlike small clots that can be broken down by the body as time passes by, larger clots block blood flow in the vein. This is called deep vein thrombosis.
Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are swelling in the legs and pain in the calves.

People who are either over the age of forty, or those who suffer from diabetes or hypertension, pregnant women and women on contraceptive pills are more prone to get deep vein thrombosis and fall into the high-risk group. Other risk factors include obesity and recent surgery. As long-haul flights bring about prolonged immobility, it is advised that travellers are made aware of what deep vein thrombosis is all about and how they can avoid it. While heart patients, senior citizens and pregnant women are advised to visit their doctors and take professional advice before a flight - the following is recommended for all long distant passengers:

8On a long flight it is advised that you stretch your legs and perform leg exercises while seated. Most airline magazines diagrammatically explain how these exercises can be done.

8Every couple of hours, briefly walk up and down the aisle to enable blood circulation and to prevent cramps.

8Drink juices and water to keep hydrated.

8Avoid alcohol and caffeine drinks as they lead to dehydration which causes thickening of blood.

8Push back your seat so as to assume as much a horizontal position as possible to assist circulation of blood.

Having said that – I’d like to emphasise that good health is something one has to work towards. As quoted by Wayne Fields in ‘What the River Knows’:

“The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.”

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com