Tips for Travelers with Venous Disease
Long trips are often accompanied by long hours spent in an uncomfortable seated position. Whether you’re in a car, plane, or train, sitting for an extended period of time decreases circulation because of pressure to the legs. It is important to understand how your circulatory system works and what precautions should be considered before any travel venture, especially if you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
When a person is in a seated position, lack of muscle activity and pressure to the knees can manipulate blood flow. This culmination can force blood to pool in the vein and eventually lead to clotting.
If you plan on traveling soon and have a history (or family history) of DVT or other vein diseases, look for the following signs and symptoms to ensure a safe arrival:
- Swollen legs
- Varicose veins
- Diabetic foot ulcers and other foot wounds
- Cellulitis
- Pain and inflammation
- Brown or red skin
Consider these tips to reduce associated symptoms:
- Adjust knee position to relieve pressure on the vein
- Be conscious of dehydrating effects on the blood (i.e. low oxygen, cabin pressure, alcohol, tea, coffee, and humidity)
- Drink plenty of water
- Take breaks often, walk around and stretch
If you plan on traveling soon and have concerns about getting a blood clot, set up a consultation today with the leg pain experts at Lakeshore Veins. Dr. Anne Bartel offers new technologies with more than 20 years of experience and knows how to create a personalized treatment plan for your leg pain. Varicose vein removal uses laser vein removal technology for the treatment of varicose veins, leg swelling and other vein diseases. Schedule your varicose vein removal today and get fast, accurate relief in a salon-like atmosphere. Call (262) 241-3999 to set up a leg pain consultation today.
