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Deep vein thrombosis - prevention for travellers - Management
Advice to reduce immobility
- The following advice is issued by the Department of Health to reduce immobility during plane journeys [DH, 2007], and can be adapted for other long journeys, such as those by car or train:
- Sit comfortably in the seat and recline as much as possible.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing.
- Store hand luggage in the overhead lockers to keep the floor in front of the seat free from obstruction.
- While seated, bend and straighten legs, feet, and toes every 30 minutes during the flight.
- Press the balls of the feet down hard against the floor or footrest to increase the blood flow in the legs and reduce clotting.
- Do upper body and breathing exercises to further improve circulation.
- Take occasional short walks around the cabin whilst the aircraft is cruising at altitude.
- Take advantage of refuelling stopovers where it may be possible to get off the plane and walk about.
- Avoid alcohol, which in excess leads to dehydration and inertia.
- Avoid taking sleeping pills, which also cause inertia.
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