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When
you travel by air, you have to adjust yourself in a stiflingly narrow space,
cramping your legs between the seats for hours. At the end of the journey
finishes, your feet have swelled up with bloods clot and severe aches. This
condition is called Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT. Many call it economy-class
syndrome that is usually caused by prolonged immobility on long flights.DVT
occurs due to blood clots that block the vein and create acute pains. The
condition has to be treated by surgery or proper medication to avoid serious
health issues. The heart or the veins in the brain and neck can be the source
of blood clotting. That is not true for every DVT patient. Heart disease or
previous heart surgery and irregular heartbeats can lead to blocked heart coronary. Obesity, sitting or lying still at a place
for long or fracture or surgery in the legs or back can lead to DVT as well.
The patient should a vascular surgeon as soon as possible. How to minimize DVT risks Move your legs or
walk intermittently in case of long flights Drink plenty of water. Dehydration
may increase the risk of DVT If you are bedridden for any fracture or surgery,
try to move your fingers and feet to keep the blood flow normal Fight obesity See a physician if there any
sign of swelling or blood clotting and pain in your legs during travelling Saklayen
Russel is a vascular surgeon in Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital.