Traveling? Learn How To Protect Your Vein Health

Traveling? Learn How To Protect Your Vein Health

Vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing, but the actual process of traveling can strike fear into the heart of anyone who has ever had a run in with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or other venous conditions. For those at risk for these too-often fatal blood clots, traveling for hours by plane, car, or train is not just uncomfortable, but can be very scary, especially when considering the fact that those who have already survived a blood clot once are at a greatly increased risk to experience another.

Risk for DVT doesn’t, however, need to deter you from ever taking another trip again. Simply follow the tips below and you can greatly decrease your risk for travel-related DVT:

1. Take frequent breaks. Sitting in the same position and with your knees bent for extended periods of time can greatly reduce blood flow. If traveling by plane or train, stand up and walk around the cabin whenever possible and do your best to request an aisle seat so that you have a little more room to spread out when sitting.

2. Stay hydrated but avoid alcohol. Dehydration causes your blood to thicken and your blood volume to decrease, increasing your risk for DVT. And while everyone loves to enjoy a drink or two when traveling on planes or trains, it’s wise to limit yourself to just one at the most, as alcohol can both cause dehydration and reduce the effectiveness of certain medications designed to prevent DVT from occurring.

3. Wear appropriate clothing. It’s important to be comfortable when traveling, and also important not to constrict your legs or waist in any way, so loose-fitting articles are best during travel. You may also want to invest in a good pair of compression stockings, which alleviate much of the discomfort from venous insufficiency and are available in most drugstores.

4. Maintain good posture. It’s usually a good idea to avoid crossing your legs whenever seated, as this can cut off circulation in your legs. It’s also recommended to stay as active as possible, even when seated. Even a few actions as simple as flexing your feet, rotating your ankles, and moving your legs can make a huge difference and are easy to perform in many traveling situations.

5. Consider medication. If you have a history of DVT or are at particular risk for DVT, then talk to your doctor before taking any long trips. Physicians will oftentimes recommend blood-thinning medications during travel because they reduce your blood’s ability to clot and also prevent any current clots from growing in size.

If you have an upcoming long trip planned, or your work or lifestyle causes you to travel frequently, then Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center invites you to share your concerns. It’s always best to seek the advice of a Tampa vein doctor, and because Dr. Zuzga treats travel-related venous conditions so frequently at his Tampa vein clinic, he has the understanding and experience needed to address such specific situations.