The dramatic expansion of commercial air transport and the geometric increase in the number of flights, passengers and distance traveled, have made travel by plane, in addition to being faster, it is often the only and more convenient, however this has also demonstrated the danger of suffering a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis. This began to have mass distribution after the death of a young English girl of 28 years, after a 20-hour intercontinental flight. However, deep venous thrombosis mainly affects people who have a prolonged hospitalization after being subjected to surgery.
vein thrombosis occurs mainly in situations in which blood circulation through the veins slows down. This occurs frequently in the lower limbs, when you are sitting or even standing for long periods, resulting in a difficulty in returning of blood to the heart, forcing its accumulation in the veins of the legs. Poor blood circulation can cause breathing difficulties, tachycardia, chest pain, loss of consciousness or form a blood clot inside a vein, usually in the legs.
In the latter case the most common symptoms are swelling and pain in them, especially in the calves, but also the vein thrombus can break off and migrate to the lungs where obstructed blood flow, causing pulmonary embolism, the consequences can be fatal.
Basically this problem may occur when lack of mobility for extended periods, something usual on international flights, sitting several hours in the small size of the seat of an aircraft, commits the circulatory system. Known as the " economy class syndrome " because it is more common in travelers in that class, which is due to reduced available space, both of the seats, as the distance between them, which requires to be too long in uncomfortable positions.
All the industry and ultimately its two largest players, aircraft manufacturers and airlines, have a policy of continuous expansion in a highly competitive arena. In that sense increase the number of passengers carried by air, certainly improves the cost / benefit, which gets in exchange for a reduction in available space for each passenger.
Other risk factors that together increase susceptibility to this table are age, excess weight, alcohol and snuff, hypertension, treatment with estrogens and oral contraceptives, pregnancy, childbirth, suffer diseases coagulation, recent operations and general history of heart disease. Beyond the physical health of each, is important to bear in mind the following tips from the Aerospace Medicine Association of America (AMSA) to prevent circulatory problems and avoid long flights:
- up regularly, every hour, stretch and walk a few laps in the halls of
airplane - make "exercises" while sitting: Stretch your legs, move your feet, rotate your head and breathe deeply.
- avoid alcohol, tea and coffee can have a diuretic effect and / or vasodilator
- Wear comfortable, loose, loosen your belt and shoelaces loose or removed
- do not cross your legs and comfortable postures and natural to sit or sleep
- take advantage of all available space, even empty seats and avoid placing luggage under the front seat would restrict the movements.
- drink plenty of water before and during the flight, counteracts the normal dehydration produced by the dry environment of the cabin.
- take an aspirin before, during and after a long flight can improve circulation. Consult with your doctor possible contraindications.
Measures to reduce the impact of such accidents, some airlines have developed instruction aimed at staff and passengers, even to incorporate warnings on tickets, about the same.
