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Economy Class Syndrome

Also known as Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot (thrombosis) which forms in the deep vein system of the lower leg--usually between the ankle and the upper calf. This condition is serious, and can be fatal. It is a difficult condition to diagnose by external examination. Symptoms, might include muscle tension in the lower leg, a dull ache or sudden painful tear, or a cramp in the calf with swelling and elevated body temperature.

Symptoms rarely occur, since the clot formation may develop very rapidly, detach from the wall of the vein and move through the blood stream before anyone recognizes what's happening. The clot may travel through the veins and lodge in the heart or more likely in the lungs, resulting in sudden death. If the clot remains lodged in the legs, very serious damage may occur to the vein, or even to the leg's entire venous system. Clots can cause tissue damage, skin lesions, ulceration, and possibly removal of the limb.

Deep Vein Thrombosis can strike any long-distance traveler--regardless of physical condition, age, or gender. DVT affects first-class passengers, as well as long-distance auto and rail travelers.

Everyone who is inactive in a leg-cramped position for several hours is at risk! But, other conditions also play a role.

• Obese and tall individuals are at greater risk.
• Smokers
• Anyone with a history of leg clots, leg or pelvic surgery, or recent leg injuries.
• Women who are pregnant and women taking birth-control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
• Men or women with Varicose Veins, Phlebitis, or a history of other venous complications.
• Elderly men and women have a greater incidence of DVT.
• Those who have Thrombophilia (the opposite of Hemophilia) have blood that coagulates very rapidly and are at much greater risk for DVT. Few of the estimated 3% to 5% of the population suffering from Thrombophilia are ever diagnosed with this malady.

Warning Signs may include:

• Pain and warmth in the lower legs
• Prickly skin sensation in the legs
• Swelling of the feet or legs
• Shortness of breath

The Cause of Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Inactivity causes blood flow to slow in the deep veins of the lower legs...

In a matter of a few hours, or less, blood can begin to pool and coagulate in the veins, producing an ever-enlarging and hardening blood clot. If or when this clot dislodges (often triggered by decompression after flight), it may move through the body's veins to the lungs or even to the heart where even a small clot can block critical blood flow causing rapid death or, at best, paralysis.

It is important to stress that Deep Vein Thrombosis can form very rapidly and become life threatening in a matter of hours. Many studies indicate that the passage of a clot to the lungs or heart may require a day or even weeks. This leads many researchers to believe that only a small percentage of travel-related DVT incidents are properly attributed to the real cause. (Our statistics on DVT may be, in reality, very low.)

Steps to Reduce the Risks of DVT Stroke

Exercise.

If you can get up during travel--DO! Try to stand and walk for five minutes every hour. If you cannot rise, flex your ankles up and down and curl your toes about twenty times every hour. Both activities will help stimulate leg blood flow. You can also use a little device known has the sky walker™ designed especially for airplanes. 

Avoid Dehydration.

The air in airplanes is very dry, and you may become dehydrated rapidly. Dehydration causes vessels to constrict and blood to thicken. This greatly increases your risk of forming clots. When flying, drink liquids frequently--8 oz. of water every two hours--but avoid alcohol and coffee which contribute to dehydration.

Take Aspirin.

Take an Aspirin tablet before departing and at safe intervals during your trip. Aspirin is a proven and safe blood thinner for most people.

Wear Graduated Compression Hosiery.

Graduated compression stockings and socks have been prescribed by physicians for over fifty years to treat venous maladies such as Deep Vein Thrombosis, Varicose Veins, Phlebitis, Edema, etc. These stockings are designed to exert maximum compression at the ankle with pressure gradually decreasing up the length of the hosiery. This action forces surface veins' blood into the legs' deep vein system thereby correcting improper, weak blood flow. Graduated compression products are available in all men's and women's styles and they look and feel like regular hosiery.

Graduated Compression Hosiery-A Medically Proven Life Saver

Graduated compression hosiery looks and feels like regular men's or women's hosiery, but there is a difference. This type of hosiery is scientifically designed and expertly knitted to improve and regulate the flow of blood to the legs and back to the heart. Many people wear these stockings and socks simply to relieve tired, aching feet and legs. Others are prescribed graduated compression hosiery by their physicians either as a preventive measure for life-threatening conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis or as a therapeutic device to relieve chronic swelling (edema) or control the spreading of varicose veins.
 

How Graduated Compression Works.

Compression hosiery is knitted in a variety of regular hosiery yarns. These stockings have the addition of special elastic threads that are utilized to apply a precise amount of pressure to prescribed areas of the leg. Compression stockings exert maximum pressure at the ankles and gradually reduce the pressure up the length of the stocking. This compression is scientifically designed to force blood from the secondary venous system near the skin into the primary deep vein system. The resulting increased blood flow prevents back flow and pooling of blood in the deep veins and stimulates the venous pump valves to achieve proper blood flow to the lungs and heart.  

This information is of a general nature and may not apply to your special circumstances. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician or an appropriate health care professional. 

SOURCE:  healthquest

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Recent studies have shown DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), or blood clots, can be reduced by wearing support stockings, please click Here to review further.

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.