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Holiday and travel health care

We are building up a number of useful health guides for holiday makers, and we hope to make these pages a useful resource for everything relayed to health and safety on holiday. If you have any special requests or health information you would like to share with us, please get in touch.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

It has been recognised for many years that immobility contributes to the likelihood of suffering a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in 'at risk' individuals. The problem can occur with any sort of travel where you are sitting in cramped conditions for long periods of time and unable to move your limbs freely. It is only in recent years that the risk to air travellers has grabbed the headlines.

A DVT is a blood clot that develops deep in the muscle at the back of the leg, most commonly the calf muscle. The effect isn't always apparent whilst travelling but can occur several weeks after making your journey.

Blood, which normally flows freely through the circulatory system, moves more slowly in veins than it does in arteries and situations which further reduce the movement of blood in veins can lead to clotting. Therefore, illness, surgery or injury which causes immobility can commonly predispose you to a DVT. Research is still being carried out, but it is assumed that similar confinement of movement during travel contributes to the risk if developing DVT.

Individuals who have blood with a tendency to clot more readily than normal include: those with a medical condition affecting their blood viscosity, women taking oestrogen based medication as contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy and pregnant women. Older people are at greater risk, particularly if they have a past history of DVT or are suffering from other predisposing medical conditions. Poor mobility and obesity similarly increase DVT risk.

Dehydration, which can occur when travelling, is an additional contributory factor.

Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis. (DVT)

If you feel you or your travelling companions are in an 'at risk' group have a health check with the Doctor or Practice Nurse and take advice before travelling.
Initiate a period of exercise for every one hour that you are travelling, rotating ankles, flexing and stretching feet and breathing in and out deeply will all help to increase the blood flow from the lower limbs. There are commercially available 'exercise' cushions to place under your feet, or use any inflatable pillow that encourages you to flex and extend your feet against its slight resistance.
Choose your travelling clothes carefully opting for loose fitting clothes that do not restrict circulation in the lower limbs or around the waist. Changes in pressure when flying can make you feel more swollen generally - yep, we mean windy guts! If you opt for the specialized 'in-flight' stockings that are available ensure that you follow the sizing guide and advice carefully. Ill fitting stockings can cause more damage than good contributing to general discomfort and even DVT, and leg ulcers. Our tip is to apply the stockings in the morning before you get out of bed; struggling to apply stockings onto already swollen legs in a busy airport is not to be recommended.

Dehydration when travelling must be avoided. Alcohol, tea, coffee and caffeine based drinks notoriously add to the problem of dehydration. Try drinking plenty of still water and juices. Carry a small bottle of water with you and pack one in your luggage, if you are arriving late at your destination supplies might not be easy to come by.

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

The first signs of DVT are usually pain, swelling and redness. It can be confused with underlying infection or injury. It is always safer to get your symptoms checked by a doctor if you are concerned. At times a DVT may not present any symptoms and it is only when a secondary problem such as pulmonary embolism occurs that a DVT is diagnosed. Blood tests and prompt medical attention can usually confirm any suspected diagnosis and control any further risks.

Please note that this information is general travel health information and you should always seek medical advice and support if you are concerned about your health or fitness to travel.

Have a look at our anti-embolism socks here.