On May 26, 5:08Â pm, Kurt Ullman
yahoo.com> wrote:>> Peter Brooks wrote:
>>> The only study that I can find that measures the effect of class of
>>> travel on the chance of getting a DVT is this on (all the other
>>> articles seem to refer back to it):
>
> Â Â Results of the BEST study show no class-related effect. In fact, on
> one possible risk factor (D-dimer) business class was more likely to
> show raised levels
>
>> Hmmm.. perhaps all those pre-flight drinks in business and first class
>> have a bit of blood thinning affect :)
>
> Â Â Â You would think it would cause dehydration.
>
>
>
>> Just in case, I try to take an aspirin before flying anymore. Sardine
>> class being what it is, y'know?
>
> Â Get up every couple hours and walk around. Drink fluids (and not
> alcoholic beverages). Flex your legs often. Aspirin has been found
> useful and not useful depending on the study. Probably put it in the
> "can't hurt" category either way . Those with either a family or
> personal history of clotting problems should probably see their docs to
> see if low-molecular weight heparin and/or support stockings might be a
> good idea.
> Â Â Â In addition to certain genetic traits, risk factors identified by a
> 2007 World Health Organization Report on the hazards of global travel
> include:
> o  Age of over 40 years
> o  History of blood clots either personally or in the family
> o  Living with or being treated for cancer
> o  Obesity
> o  Extremes of height
> o  Recent surgery, especially on knees and hips
> o  Pregnancy or hormone therapy such as birth control pills or hormone
> replacement therapy for menopause
>
> Â Â Â Â Just got done doing an article on the subject, so thanks to the
> boys and girls at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda and Aerospace
> Medical Association in Alexandria. (g).
>
Asprin is not useful. It does reduce the risk of arterial thrombosis,
but the flight risk is of venous thrombosis. Asprin can cause gastric
problems, though, which is not good for you.
If you are in a high risk group for a DVT (see the scale at:
http://www.fleetstreetclinic.com/ip1.php?menu=1&sub_menu=4&sub_id=52 )
then you should take low molecular weight heparin before a very long
flight (>12 hours), take an aisle seat, drink plenty of liquids, but
no alcohol and not take sleeping tablets (though the study I reported
didn't find an effect for alcohol or sleeping tablets). It might also
be a good idea to fly business class - though, strangely, the study
that I mentioned originally actually shows that there might be a
greater risk in Business class than economy.
