Travel by train, plane, bus or car has one major similarity – minimal leg room. This can be a concern for people who are taking trips of four hours or longer or for those who have a history of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a condition that can lead to blood clots associated with a rare condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).
DVT is more common in people who have a family history of blood clots. But anyone who travels long distances in cramped conditions is at risk. DVT is most-commonly associated with people who are obese, have experienced a pervious blood clot, are over age 50 or have recently had surgery or been injured or hospitalized.
A PE is when part of a blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, causing a sudden blockage of the arteries to the lungs.
People who have a history of blood clots should talk to their doctor before traveling long distances. He or she may recommend steps to reduce the risk of blood clots, including:
- Walking or stretching regularly.Set a reminder on your phone to get up and walk or stretch every two to three hours. In addition, travelers can exercise their legs and calves while seated by tightening and releasing their leg muscles from calf to thigh; making circles with their feet; raising and lowering their toes while keeping their heels on the floor; and raising and lowering their heels while keeping their toes on the floor.
- Wearing lose clothing, compression stockings or both. Fitted compression stockings provide pressure that’s strongest at the ankle and that gradually decreases at the knee or thigh. These stockings can improve blood flow in the legs.
- Taking anticoagulant medication. Prescription blood thinners or aspirin may be recommended for travelers during long distances and should be discussed with a doctor.
- Eating well and staying hydrated. Dehydration can reduce blood volume and cause blood to thicken,increasing the risk of blood clots. Travelers should be sure to drink plenty of water during long trips and avoid alcohol, which is a diuretic. If taking blood thinners, they should maintain a consistent diet, as some vitamins in foods can interfere with the effectiveness of commonly prescribed blood thinners.
In addition to managing their risk, travelers should also be on the lookout for these common signs of DVT. Signs include swelling, tenderness or pain in the affected limb: patches of skin that feel hot; or skin that appears pale, blue and reddish when compared to surrounding areas. People who experience DVT symptoms should see a doctor.
Symptoms of a PE, which can be fatal, include difficulty breathing, chest pain that worsens during coughing or deep breathing, fainting, light-headedness, low blood pressure, or coughing up blood. Those with PE symptoms should seek immediate emergency care
Traveling after DVT and How Non-emergency Medical Transportation Services Can Help
Some doctors recommend waiting four weeks before traveling after having DVT or a PE. Even after recovery, DVT and PE remain a concern, as having even a single incident of DVT or PE increases the risk for subsequent occurrences.
People who have a personal or family history of DVT or PE may need assistance during travel, or want to travel with a medical escort for peace of mind. Non-emergency medical transportation services, such as SentinelMED, can assist individuals who have suffered DVT or a PE, are recovering after a PE, or who need or want medical assistance when traveling.
SentinelMED provides domestic and international medical transport, medical escort and medical repatriation services for travelers, including those who have serious or complicated medical concerns. SentinelMED also can arrange for medical escorts to accompany travelers who can provide necessary medical care and help them navigate the complexities of long-distance travel.
In addition, SentinelMED can arrange door-to-door transportation for patients from a discharging hospital to a receiving medical facility or the home of a family member.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
