Thrombosis

"FLYING CAN BE A HAZARD FOR SOME"

Author and Origin unknown

One health problem associated with flying, even for trips as short as three hours, is the risk of blood clots forming in the leg veins.  

With flying as an increasingly common form of travel, low cost holidays at exotic locations, together with business commitments, means that most people travel by air at some time. People sitting in an aeroplane for long hours, eg: an overseas flight can have clotting problems if they do not take precautions.

Pilots and crew working for long hours in their fixed wing or helicopters are also at risk.

This problem, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can have serious consequences.

The blood clot formed in the leg by DVT may dislodge and be carried through the network of veins leading back to the heart. From there it can pass into the lung, causing the sometimes fatal condition of pulmonary embolus.

Sitting still for long periods, particularly with the knees bent, causes the blood in the leg veins to become relatively static, increasing the risk of a clot forming.

Other flying-related factors which increase the risk of DVT include the air pressure in the aircraft cabin and dehydration. Dehydration occurs through the tenancy to drink coffee and tea as well as the intensive, hot, low level work environment in the helicopter cabin during cattle mustering ops in Australia

Aircraft crew can reduce their risk of DVT with simple precautions:

·    Exercise the lower leg and feet while seated

·    Whenever you land - walk around the aircraft a couple of times. This is especially important on long days when you fly big hours.

·    Avoid too much alcohol

·     Have frequent non alcoholic drinks

For those most at risk of DVT - smokers, the overweight and those with a previous history of blood clots - wearing special elastic stockings is sensible. Taking a small dose of aspirin can also help in some cases as it thins the blood, helping it flow better.

TC

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Safe flying