My name is Dr Amer. Long distance travel either by plane or by car can be fun but sometimes can get complicated by a serious medical condition called DVT or deep vein thrombosis which is a blood clot in the leg’s vein.
This condition can happen to anyone, especially if you sit still with your feet down for more than 6-8 hours during long flight. But the risk can increase if you have had a prior blood clot in the past or if you travel immediately after having a recent surgery. There is also a risk if you obese or older in age.
The symptoms are new onset of swelling and pain in one leg with the skin being red and hot to touch. The danger of this condition is when a small piece of the clot travels up to the lungs and cause a serious illness called PE or pulmonary embolism which is a blood clot in
the lung.
The symptoms here are sudden onset of a sharp chest pain on one side. This pain can increase if you take a deep breath unlike a heart attack. There is also cough, difficulty breathing and palpitation.
The treatment for the leg’s clot is by giving a blood thinner pill for at least 3 months. This medication will prevent the clot from getting bigger or having a small piece travel up to the lungs. Normally, the body can dissolve the clot in 3 months. If for any reason you can’t take the blood thinner, we can place a small filter inside the big vein in your belly to prevent any further clots traveling up to the lungs.
My advice 1) drink plenty of water and avoid sitting for a long time during the travel, also try to walk every 2 hours. 2) avoid crossing your legs and do some exercises for your feet during the travel. 3) avoid tight cloths and you can wear a special elastic socks. Finally, if you are in the high-risk group, we advise taking a blood thinner injection under the skin on the day before your travel.
Video shot by Galia Helbaoui and edited by Amer Helbaoui
26 апр 2023
