Medical compression stockings are the best way to prevent venous thromboembolism in travelers
The active pace of modern life forces people to travel a lot. And although this expands our opportunities, in some cases long trips can result in serious health problems. Regardless of how a person travels - by land or by air, their risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) increases.
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What is venous thromboembolism?
If a person sits for a long time, blood circulation in the legs is disrupted. Under normal conditions, movement helps us avoid fluid stagnation in the veins. Active contractions of the calf muscles push the blood up, towards the heart, and special valves prevent it from returning back.
But the longer the legs remain motionless, the more difficult it is for the blood to circulate in the right direction. Fluid stagnation leads to the formation of blood clots. They can clog veins (this is called deep vein thrombosis) or enter the pulmonary vessels with the blood flow, causing thromboembolism. The outcome of this complication sometimes becomes a pulmonary infarction or even death (if a large artery is blocked).
But the longer the legs remain motionless, the more difficult it is for the blood to circulate in the right direction. Fluid stagnation leads to the formation of blood clots. They can clog veins (this is called deep vein thrombosis) or enter the pulmonary vessels with the blood flow, causing thromboembolism. The outcome of this complication sometimes becomes a pulmonary infarction or even death (if a large artery is blocked).
Who can develop thrombosis or thromboembolism?
VTE can occur even in healthy people, but the risk increases with long trips – for example, more than 4 hours without stopping or warming up. Also, venous thromboembolism is often observed in the first two weeks after the trip.
The probability of VTE during a flight lasting more than four hours is on average 2.8%, and more than twelve hours – 3.6%. The more a person travels (by car, train or plane), the higher their risk of thromboembolism. These complications also develop more often with concomitant pregnancy, obesity, malignant neoplasm (cancer), taking estrogen-containing contraceptive pills, in old age and after a VTE in the past.
The probability of VTE during a flight lasting more than four hours is on average 2.8%, and more than twelve hours – 3.6%. The more a person travels (by car, train or plane), the higher their risk of thromboembolism. These complications also develop more often with concomitant pregnancy, obesity, malignant neoplasm (cancer), taking estrogen-containing contraceptive pills, in old age and after a VTE in the past.
How to protect yourself from VTE?
Doctors offer various options for preventing thrombosis - from a regular warm-up to special blood-thinning drugs. But the most accessible and comfortable method is still wearing compression hosiery.
Special medical stockings create graduated compression - the pressure on the tissues of the legs decreases from the bottom up, it is highest in the ankle area. This helps the blood move towards the heart and increases venous return.
Remember: it is fluid stagnation that leads to the formation of blood clots in the veins, and normal blood circulation is the best prevention of VTE.
Special medical stockings create graduated compression - the pressure on the tissues of the legs decreases from the bottom up, it is highest in the ankle area. This helps the blood move towards the heart and increases venous return.
Remember: it is fluid stagnation that leads to the formation of blood clots in the veins, and normal blood circulation is the best prevention of VTE.
Which compression stockings to choose?
Before choosing compression hosiery, it is better to consult a doctor. For people with an increased risk of blood clots and without deformation of the toes, increased sweating, dense medical knee-highs Lauma Medical with a toe are suitable. They are preferred by both men and women due to their comfort of wearing and appearance. Knee-highs belong to the first class of compression products, that is, they provide moderate pressure on the tissues - 18-21 mm Hg.
Medical compression knee-highs Lauma Medical, dense, with a toe are made of 64% nylon and 36% lycra, while the heel and toe areas are reinforced, due to which the product can be used for a long time, and also washed.
Medical compression knee-highs Lauma Medical, dense, with a toe are made of 64% nylon and 36% lycra, while the heel and toe areas are reinforced, due to which the product can be used for a long time, and also washed.
Lauma Medical tight compression socks with toe cap - a modern method of preventing blood clots during frequent and long trips in adults with an increased risk of VTE
Lauma Medical tight compression socks with toe cap - a modern method of preventing blood clots during frequent and long trips in adults with an increased risk of VTE