Traveling is one of life's little pleasures once you retire. But did you know that there are certain risks with travel? Whether you fly on an airplane or sit for hours in a car, you could be at risk for deep vein thrombosis or DVT. You might have heard some horror stories of so and so's uncle who got it and died on the airplane or someone's Great Aunt Alice who died on a Greyhound bus traveling on another casino trip.
This DVT condition occurs when a blood clot suddenly develops and breaks off traveling to a crucial organ and impeding its function. A blood clot in the heart, lungs or brain can kill you before you can even get medical help. That is why DVT can strike fear in many older adults who travel. Of course, it can happen to younger people as well.
You've probably heard of the blood clots that can form while you are in an airplane. You think that these can be attributed to as much the cabin pressure as immobility. However, this same life-threatening blood clot can occur on a car trip, bus trip, train trip or any other mode of transportation where you do not have room to stretch out and move around. Heck, even sitting for hours knitting, watching television or sitting at the computer could put you at risk.
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when blood clots form in deep veins. These are the large blood vessels that run along the middle of an arm or leg and surrounded by muscles. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a clot blocks a vein, even partially, to hinder blood circulation. A blood clot can also break off and travel through your blood stream as mentioned above lodging in a vital organ, effectively hindering its normal function.
Part of preventing deep vein thrombosis is educating you on ways to prevent it. There is great news however in reducing your chances of deep vein thrombosis. First of all, get exercise and staying physical is important. When possible, walk around the airplane cabin or stop your car and take a walk. This will keep your circulation in check. Keep hydrated by drinking water and avoiding dehydrating drinks like alcohol and sodas.
If you have recently had surgery or have heart disease or diabetes, you should talk with your doctor about your risks of travel in terms of developing deep vein thrombosis. At the very least, you will be prescribed support stockings which helps promote better blood circulation. Blood thinner medication may be another possibility depending on your illness or physical condition.
It is important that before you go on any trip where you may be sitting for any length of time, visit with your doctor. Explain your concerns and get some advice on how to prevent deep vein thrombosis from happening to you, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. It is great that you want to travel during your retirement. However, you need to take the proper precautions to ensure your safety.
