Preventing blood clots on airline flights

[Guest guest]

A clot above

Save yourself from high-flying health hazards with ankle circles and

dandelion root

BY Sibylle Preuschat

NOW | NOV 25 - DEC 2, 2004 | VOL. 24 NO. 13

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-11-25/goods_health.php

 

Our jet compulsion, our chronic desire to board airplanes for fun and

profit, has bodily implications far beyond the boredom of a flight or the

claustrophobia of single aisles. Any air voyage that lasts five to six

hours or more can put us at risk for blood clots, and new research

indicates that the problem is more common than once supposed.

 

At least 10 to 15 per cent of passengers on any lengthy flight will show

evidence of what's called subclinical clotting if examined immediately

after getting off the plane. Most of the time, the body breaks down such

clumps on its own. Only a small percentage of people go on to develop a

symptomatic clot.

 

If symptomatic clotting does happen, it's potentially dangerous – lumps in

your blood can move to the heart, brain or lungs. During or after a

flight, shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing blood are signals to

seek medical help immediately.

 

Major signals of a clot include persistent pain, tenderness, warmth and

redness and/or swelling in one leg – most often the left. If any one of

these symptoms lasts for more than a day, get medical help.

 

You're at greater risk for clotting if you have cancer or an inflammatory

disease, take birth control pills or HRT, have recently given birth or had

surgery or trauma (especially in the legs or pelvic area), or if you have

any one of a variety of hereditary conditions. Your risk goes up with age,

too. A doc will be able to help determine if an upcoming long flight could

be a problem. The allopathic toolkit when it comes to preventing clumping

in the leg veins includes exercise, pressurized stockings and drugs. Don't

spend your airport time sitting in the departure lounge; walk up and down

those halls ! Once on the plane, get up as much as possible and do leg

exercises in your seat – ankle circles , foot tapping and gentle

self-massage all help. Some airlines even provide exercise instructions.

 

Holistic types add that the right diet can shift your body chemistry in a

direction that makes clotting far less likely. You've heard it before,

folks – fruits , veggies , whole grains and high-quality proteins are your

ticket.

 

What the experts say

 

" The risk is sitting with your knees and hips at right angles for a long

time. The preventive measure is to get up and move around every couple of

hours, stretch your legs and do isometric exercises . Hydrate well and

avoid alcohol . People who are drinking are capable of going to sleep in

awkward positions and staying there. Among homeopathic or naturopathic

remedies, garlic is a classic treatment. While I don't think there's any

problem in taking these, there's little evidence that they protect you.

Fish oil is good for arterial disease but this is venous we're talking

about. Aspirin doesn't prevent venous blood clots. "

ERIK YEO , MD, director of hemostasis and thrombosis, University Health

Network, Toronto

 

" If it's only from lack of movement, why doesn't everybody get clots on a

long flight? The most likely reason is a poor diet that doesn't include

sufficient fruits and vegetables. We've been told to aim for five a day.

That's appropriate for children. A man needs an estimated nine servings a

day. There's preliminary evidence that the omega-3 fats found in whole

grains, fatty fish and nuts and seeds may be helpful. Garlic and onions

have powerful anti-clotting effects. "

AILEEN BURFORD-MASON , PhD, immunologist/nutritionist, Toronto

 

" Herbs that have been well researched include dandelion root , ginger and

turmeric . All these inhibit platelet aggregation, which is the very first

step in blood clotting. With dandelion, use an organic tincture. A safe

adult dose is 30 drops (half a teaspoon) a day in a little water. Take it

for 14 days prior to the trip. With ginger and turmeric, also use liquid

extracts. If you have health problems, use herbs under supervision. "

NORA JANE POPE , naturopathic doctor, Health Quest, Toronto

 

" Homeopathy can be preventative, though one would need a constitutional

treatment with a qualified homeopath. For a situation like travel,

 

I recommend a homeopathic product called No-Jet-Lag . It not only combats

jet lag, but also the swelling of lower extremities. "

DANIELLE MOLCAR , homeopath, Toronto

 

" Once you release yourself into a deeply relaxed state, you can be

incredibly creative in terms of getting your circulation moving. I suggest

taking five or ten minutes, daily - especially in the weeks before a

flight - and sit or lie down, allow your eyes to close and follow your

breathing. It's amazing how quiet you can become when you invest in that

focus.

 

Imagine the walls of the veins as very vital and sturdy. If you've been

diagnosed with blood clots, imagine that they are dissolving. If you don't

have a clot, imagine the blood flowing freely. "

LISA TABATA, master clinical hypnotherapist, Toronto

[Guest guest]

David

I am unconvinced.

Deep Vein Thrombosis has been around longer than modern aircraft.

Long stay hospital patients used to get it many years ago - hence the

introduction of prunes in the diet.

Download yourself a copy of the excellent book The Saccharin Disease by

Surgeon Captain T.L.Cleave.

A search on the internet will find it. It is out of print now but well worth

a read.

Many of these 'new' health problems have simple answers.

Sometimes we look too hard and miss the obvious.

The following is an extract from an article I put together on DVT.

" It has nothing to do with flying, but is caused through constipation, as

the iliac vein, (the one that controls blood flow from the leg)

 

is obstructed by the full colon. With the modern, refined, Western diet, the

colon becomes unnaturally loaded.

 

'The ever-increasing consumption of refined carbohydrates in Westernized

countries has culminated in present transit times

 

of the bowel contents now being twice as long as natural transit times.' "

 

I enjoy reading your articles from time to time.

Regards

Graeme Ellis

Western Australia

 

 

 

-

" David Elfstrom " <listbox

" Alternative Medicine Forum "

<alternative_medicine_forum >

Friday, November 26, 2004 1:55 PM

Preventing blood clots on airline

flights

 

 

>

>

> A clot above

> Save yourself from high-flying health hazards with ankle circles and

> dandelion root

> BY Sibylle Preuschat

> NOW | NOV 25 - DEC 2, 2004 | VOL. 24 NO. 13

> http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-11-25/goods_health.php

>

> Our jet compulsion, our chronic desire to board airplanes for fun and

> profit, has bodily implications far beyond the boredom of a flight or the

> claustrophobia of single aisles. Any air voyage that lasts five to six

> hours or more can put us at risk for blood clots, and new research

> indicates that the problem is more common than once supposed.

>

> At least 10 to 15 per cent of passengers on any lengthy flight will show

> evidence of what's called subclinical clotting if examined immediately

> after getting off the plane. Most of the time, the body breaks down such

> clumps on its own. Only a small percentage of people go on to develop a

> symptomatic clot.

>

> If symptomatic clotting does happen, it's potentially dangerous - lumps in

> your blood can move to the heart, brain or lungs. During or after a

> flight, shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing blood are signals to

> seek medical help immediately.

>

> Major signals of a clot include persistent pain, tenderness, warmth and

> redness and/or swelling in one leg - most often the left. If any one of

> these symptoms lasts for more than a day, get medical help.

>

> You're at greater risk for clotting if you have cancer or an inflammatory

> disease, take birth control pills or HRT, have recently given birth or had

> surgery or trauma (especially in the legs or pelvic area), or if you have

> any one of a variety of hereditary conditions. Your risk goes up with age,

> too. A doc will be able to help determine if an upcoming long flight could

> be a problem. The allopathic toolkit when it comes to preventing clumping

> in the leg veins includes exercise, pressurized stockings and drugs. Don't

> spend your airport time sitting in the departure lounge; walk up and down

> those halls ! Once on the plane, get up as much as possible and do leg

> exercises in your seat - ankle circles , foot tapping and gentle

> self-massage all help. Some airlines even provide exercise instructions.

>

> Holistic types add that the right diet can shift your body chemistry in a

> direction that makes clotting far less likely. You've heard it before,

> folks - fruits , veggies , whole grains and high-quality proteins are your

> ticket.

>

> What the experts say

>

> " The risk is sitting with your knees and hips at right angles for a long

> time. The preventive measure is to get up and move around every couple of

> hours, stretch your legs and do isometric exercises . Hydrate well and

> avoid alcohol . People who are drinking are capable of going to sleep in

> awkward positions and staying there. Among homeopathic or naturopathic

> remedies, garlic is a classic treatment. While I don't think there's any

> problem in taking these, there's little evidence that they protect you.

> Fish oil is good for arterial disease but this is venous we're talking

> about. Aspirin doesn't prevent venous blood clots. "

> ERIK YEO , MD, director of hemostasis and thrombosis, University Health

> Network, Toronto

>

> " If it's only from lack of movement, why doesn't everybody get clots on a

> long flight? The most likely reason is a poor diet that doesn't include

> sufficient fruits and vegetables. We've been told to aim for five a day.

> That's appropriate for children. A man needs an estimated nine servings a

> day. There's preliminary evidence that the omega-3 fats found in whole

> grains, fatty fish and nuts and seeds may be helpful. Garlic and onions

> have powerful anti-clotting effects. "

> AILEEN BURFORD-MASON , PhD, immunologist/nutritionist, Toronto

>

> " Herbs that have been well researched include dandelion root , ginger and

> turmeric . All these inhibit platelet aggregation, which is the very first

> step in blood clotting. With dandelion, use an organic tincture. A safe

> adult dose is 30 drops (half a teaspoon) a day in a little water. Take it

> for 14 days prior to the trip. With ginger and turmeric, also use liquid

> extracts. If you have health problems, use herbs under supervision. "

> NORA JANE POPE , naturopathic doctor, Health Quest, Toronto

>

> " Homeopathy can be preventative, though one would need a constitutional

> treatment with a qualified homeopath. For a situation like travel,

>

> I recommend a homeopathic product called No-Jet-Lag . It not only combats

> jet lag, but also the swelling of lower extremities. "

> DANIELLE MOLCAR , homeopath, Toronto

>

> " Once you release yourself into a deeply relaxed state, you can be

> incredibly creative in terms of getting your circulation moving. I suggest

> taking five or ten minutes, daily - especially in the weeks before a

> flight - and sit or lie down, allow your eyes to close and follow your

> breathing. It's amazing how quiet you can become when you invest in that

> focus.

>

> Imagine the walls of the veins as very vital and sturdy. If you've been

> diagnosed with blood clots, imagine that they are dissolving. If you don't

> have a clot, imagine the blood flowing freely. "

> LISA TABATA, master clinical hypnotherapist, Toronto