Long flights = thrombosis

Did you know that the risk of having a thrombosis increases 26% each 2 hours of flight? Incredibly there is one case of thrombosis in every 4.600 flights and in Brazil, in the major airports, this number decreases to 2000 flights. For those of you who do not know what a thrombosis is then here goes an easy and fast explanation. Thrombosis happens when a thrombi blocks a vein and impedes blood circulation. This may be very dangerous because it may reach your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. Long flights help a thrombosis to occur because we stay a long time seated with our legs down making blood flow harder. The problem is not only being seated for a long time, but also that the seats are very tight and do not allow us to stretch our legs properly, the pressurization and the refrigeration of the cabin. Also, people dehydrate easily because they do not consume much water and most of the times consume alcohol and the dehydration makes it easier for the blood to clog. What happens when thrombosis occurs is that the person starts feeling a lot of pain on his or her legs, they may swell and the calf of the leg becomes really hard.

To prevent:

-Drink lots of water
- Do not consume alcohol
- Use elastic socks that compress your legs and helps blood circulation
- Try do walk a bit every 2 hours and do not take medication to sleep (this way you will not be able to walk, for you will sleep during the whole trip).
- If there is history in your family or if you already have the problem you should see a doctor before your trip because he or she may give you a preventive medication.