Long haul flight information

by Sister Merle Allen

Recent media attention has focused on the dangers of sitting in a cramped position for long periods of time, in an aircraft. No reliable statistics or research data are available at present to aid medical staff in providing the best advice to patients who intend to fly long haul. Patients who have had problems with their circulation in the past do need specialist advice for long flights, but the vast majority of travellers should be fine if they take a few sensible precautions:

• Avoid dehdration - Drink lots of non-alcoholic and caffeine-free drinks
  
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes to prevent constriction of blood vessels which would slow down the circulation
  
• Keep moving - at least hourly. Stand up and stretch. When standing, raise up and down on your toes. When sitting, move your feet about. Both these exercises activate the "calfpump" which drags blood up the legs
  
• If possible, put your feet on something e.g. a bag, to relieve the pressure on your blood vessels caused by the seat pressing on the back of your legs
  
• Avoid crossing your legs, which compresses blood vessels even more
  
• If you have varicose veins, support socks or stockings may be helpful
  
• Many people ask about taking Aspirin before flying. Aspirin is not thought to be helpful in preventing clot formation in the veins. Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) is the risk most associated with stagnation of blood in the legs - Aspirin is normally given to prevent clots in the arteries.

If you feel that you must take an Aspirin, then a low dose of 75 mg could be taken 24 hours before the flight. You should not take Aspirin if you have or have had stomach ulcers, or problems taking Aspirin in the past. Worries about the interaction of Aspirin with any other medication you are taking should be addressed to your pharmacist.