"Airline Travel, Thrombosis and Stockings"
What the Researchers say:
Recently there have been many reports relating to
incidents of thrombosis (or blood clots) occurring in deep veins of the
legs of otherwise healthy people who had recently flown long distances.
Such reports referred to this problem as "Economy Class Syndrome", but in
fact, the reports showed that this medical condition also occurred in
passengers who had traveled in "Business Class". A number of detailed
studies were conducted bringing together all the incidents reported and
looking at a large group of patients suffering from Thrombosis in the deep
veins of the leg. These studies were unable to establish flying as a
contributory cause of this type of Thrombosis. Then in May 2001 the results of the first objective study
were published in Britain’s premier Medical Journal "The Lancet". A group
of researchers from The Middlesex Hospital, London headed by Vascular
Surgeon, Thrombosis Expert and Aviator John Scurr and Haematologist
Professor Sam Machin examined the veins and blood from 231 volunteers
before they embarked on long haul flights (more than 8
hours). On their return to London they were again examined and it
was found that in one group of 116 volunteers 10% of the passengers had a
thrombosis in the deep veins of their legs. These clots were detected by
ultra sound examination and the patients received immediate treatment
without which the condition may have become more serious. However, a
single mild incidence of deep vein thrombosis can predispose to further
incidents of a more serious nature. The second group of 115 volunteers had been fitted with
Mediven Travel Stockings. These are elastic compression stockings
selected to provide a compression designed to meet clinical requirements
yet at the same time still be comfortable to wear. In this group of 115
volunteers not one person showed any thrombosis in the deep veins of the
legs.
Why might air travel result in some people suffering a Deep Vein Thrombosis?
There are a number of factors in any form of long
distance travel which are thought to predispose to a condition in the
legs when a thrombosis may form:- Passengers, particularly those not seated in aisle
seats, may remain immobile for long periods of time. The return of blood
from the legs to the heart is greatly slowed down. Passengers who experience dehydration will have a
reduced blood volume, the blood is thickened and more likely to clot.
Dehydration can result from the very dry air in most jet aircraft, the
consumption of alcohol and to a lesser extent coffee and from the
inadequate intake of water and non-alcoholic drinks.
Mediven Travel compression stockings are the
only clinically proven elastic stockings to have been shown to almost
completely remove the risk of contracting a deep vein thrombosis on a
long haul flight. Even when wearing Mediven Travel stockings it is
important to exercise your legs during the flight. If you are in an
aisle seat and circumstances permit then walk up and down. If you are
unable to get out of your seat you should exercise your legs by
alternately raising your heels and pressing down on your toes and then
raising your toes and pressing down on your heels. Set yourself the task
to do this 25 times every half hour. It is better not to fall asleep in
a cramped position for hours at a time. You should drink plenty of water and other
non-alcoholic drinks during the flight. If you take an alcoholic drink
you should also consume at least twice the volume of water or fruit
juice. Likewise if you drink coffee you should also consume extra
water.
Your Mediven Travel stockings come with easy to
follow washing instructions (they may be machine washed) and will last
you for several long distance travels over three or four years On the order forms below we request certain basic
measurements. If your legs are of very different sizes it will be
necessary for us to supply you with two pairs of Mediven Travel
stockings thus allowing you to wear different size garments on your left
and right leg. We must ask you if you suffer from arterial disease,
diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. If you do then before you order you
should ask your doctor whether it is advisable for you to wear a Class
1 compression stocking (German Hohenstein Classification) Additionally if you have an ongoing medical condition
you should consult your General Practitioner before flying. If you
have previously suffered from a Thrombosis it is also advisable to
consult your General Practitioner. If you have varicose veins on the upper part of your
leg or particularly behind the knee then before purchasing Mediven
Travel stockings, which are only knee length garments, you are advised
to consider wearing thigh length stockings. Our Mediven Travel
Customer Service Department will assist you and can be contacted as
below. If you are now ready to order your Mediven
Travel Stockings you may do so by:-
What action can I take to reduce the chance of getting a thrombosis in
the deep veins of my leg?
How can I order mediven Travel Stockings for the next time I travel long distances?
When you order Mediven Travel stockings you will be sending for a medical product which is approved by the German Hohenstein Institute as a correctly constructed medical compression stocking of Class 1 compression.
For this reason we have to ensure that you receive a garment which will correctly fit your legs. We must therefore have a basic measurement for each of your legs.
