Tom

I heard on the evening news that Cardinal Mahoney has a blood clot in his lung. When interviewed, his doctor said that it probably started as a clot in his leg on his long flight back from the Vatican, then traveled up to his lungs within a couple of days. He's resting well and will be OK but this brings to mind these long flights. We live on the West Coast so our flights are really long. I normally try to have a glass of wine with dinner then sleep as much as possible but now I'm wondering if maybe I shouldn't get up and walk instead. Does anyone have any medical knowledge if there is something that can be done or perhaps a blood thinner that can be taken prior to these monsterous flights? Tom

StCirq

Tom:<BR><BR>How about taking an aspirin before the flight? I do. I also get up about 3-4 times (unless I'm in a window seat, which I prefer, and am disturbing a sleeping person next to me) and do stretching exercises. I don't know if I'm likely to get a blood clot or not - these exercises just help me get through the flight - I'm NOT a sleeper on planes, so it doesn't matter to me in terms of losing sleep.

Book Chick

You should walk a bit on a flight. But you shouldn't necessarily deny yourself sleep, especially if you're flying during your normal sleep cycle.<BR><BR>Unless you have an allergy to it or its use is contraindicated by another medication you may be on, consider taking an aspirin. I use the coated Ecotrin. Even a "baby aspirin" or 81 mg. low-dose aspirin will do it. Start about a week before you leave. The active agent in aspirin, salicylic acid, is a bit of a blood thinner & will help prevent clots. You may sometimes see TV commercials stating that if you think you're having a heart attack, you should phone 911 & take an aspirin. It's not merely advertising, it's good advice. But...if you use any brand or kind of ibuprofen, you risk negating the blood-thinning property of the aspirin.<BR><BR>Aspirin & a little walking or a walk to the back of the plane & a few leg stretches while there can help.<BR><BR>Happy Travels,<BR>BC

Rex

I agree that for 99% of the general population, one aspirin reduces the risk (which is really, really low for those under age 50, for starters) substantially.<BR><BR>And you can probably combat "sluggish circulation" (venous stasis would be the correct term) right in your seat just about as well as getting up and walking around - - five minutes of concerted isometrics (focus on your calves - - up on your tip toes, sitting right in your seat) - - and then knee to chin 5 times in one minute, each leg. Performed once every three hours would do plenty.<BR><BR>Keep in mind that I do mot claim to offer actual medical advice to any adult. I am a pediatrician (specialist in newborn intensive care).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

x

A woman that had been on a British Airways flight from Asia to the UK died a few years ago from a clot.<BR><BR>On long flights, it is recommended that you get up and stretch.

StCirq

Rex:<BR><BR>How, exactly, do you do that knee-to-chin thing in coach?

Rex

&lt;&lt;How, exactly, do you do that knee-to-chin thing in coach?&gt;&gt; <BR><BR>I don't know if this is a comment on the cramped conditions in coach - - or the "belly-in-the-way" that comes from "our" American lifestyle.<BR><BR>Maybe knee-TOWARDS-chin is what I should have said. My wife and daughters can do it, and I don't think that coach seating would constrain them from it.<BR><BR>and I don't think that I will comment on how close (or not close) I can come.<BR><BR><BR>

Shirly

You've got a great sense of humor Rex! Thanks, I'm planning my first trip to Europe in 3 months. Thanks! Shirley

usedtobefat

get up...walk around..do stretches...i do these on long flights (two hours or more)and it has made a considerable difference... get up, go the back by the lavatories and spend no less than 10 minutes doing stretches that increase blood circulation. i learned these as a result of lipsuction. lean over, grab your calves and breathe deeply for at least 20 deep long breathes. then do the same in the upright position. then repeat the lean over move. your goal is not necessarily to make your nose touch your thighs but to move as close to that as possible WHILE BREATHING DEEP BREATHS! I know it might be a hassle but one that saved me many hours of uncomfort, but go to a basic yoga class and ASK them for the moves you can do on the airplane. my doctor said not to travel for three months without it and these exercises (all ten minutes worth) have increased my comfort and my health immeasurably during long flights. good luck to you. namaste.

same as above

i should have mentioned, while you are bent over reaching for your toes, think about spreading your upper thighs....this increased the blood circulation tenfold. i am serious, these small non-consuming time exercises truly have helped my comfort on long flights as well as long car trips. i admit when i first was told, my ego didn't allow me to do it....DO IT....the benefit is incredible...you will feel the release immediately. good luck and happy travels.

lze

Hello, I have heard anti-embalizm (sp?) stockings are good as well. Anyone have a comment on that? I walk and stretch as much as possible. I always ask for an aisle seat so I can eaisly get up and down. Also, drink lots of water while traveling. I have a hard time sleeping on an airplane but have gotten sleep medication from my doctor in the past so I can sleep some. The depravation is a hazard as well.

Judy

Pre-flight stretching, exercises on board, aspirin, and surgical stockings are all precautions I take but there is one more I'd like to share ( I have poor venous circulation) and I only used it on a long trip to China from the East Coast. I was told this trick by a tour director for the far East who has the same problem. Buy a fairly large beach ball that can be deflated on course. Ask for a bulk-head seat (I was post surgery for arthritis in the knee), and use the ball to elevate the knee. It had the added advantage of a soft surface to rub your calf on! I still got up to exercise by the way. Just ignore the weird looks. Deflate it before landing, packs flat. I don't use this for European trips, but if I ever get to Australia, I might reconsider this! Judy

gail

Dehydration also increases chances of blood clots - drink water. Anti-embolism stockings can help as long as they fit properly - they can do more harm than good if they are too tight around legs. To work, they must be full length - the knee high ones just cut off circulation under your knees. Isometric exercises (where your leg stays still but you tighten and loosen various muscle groups) offers some benefit as well and can be done even in cramped coach seats when your row-mate is sleeping.

up

up, towards chin...<BR>

Dallas

I'm fairly short (5'1") so my feet do not touch the floor. In the past, I've had problems with my feet and legs going to "sleep" due to hanging over the edge of my seat for so long. I've purchased one of those blow-up rolls to elevate your feet for my next trip. Hope it helps.

xxx

Yesterday I saw some calf muscle exercisers advertised - just a little cushion you could rest your feet on and pump up and down to increase circulation during the flight.

LJ

Just read in a reputable medical journal that lemon is a natural anti-coagulant for such circumstances and can reduce the potential for these deep-vein thromboses significantly. Just take a few lemon slices and use them in all that water that everyone should be drinking while on board.

anon. on this one

Also, don't wear tight clothes, especially clothes tight in the groin or thigh area, such as panty girdles, tight pantyhose, corselettes, tight jeans, not that I ever would, but I know some people who still do and I worry about them.

Hadtoadd

I think the water drinking would be a great idea!! Of course you won't get clots. Getting up to go potty every five minutes will keep the circulation goin' good

Nellie

Tom,<BR>I'm high risk, and still alive, though not a medical authority.<BR>I think you'd look funny in panty hose, so you might try the non-binding knee-high medium compression socks from footsmart.com. For men and women, very comfy! I also do 80mg aspirin for the few days before trip, INSIST upon an aisle seat, sip water, and do frequent (hourly) foot/leg exercises in the seat. My vascular surgeon gave me the high sign on all. And, I do have a glass of wine, just not with the aspirin.