There appears to be a strong correlation between sitting for many hours in a cramped airline seat (or bus, car or train seats) and the possibility of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs, a condition which has been tagged "Economy Class Syndrome" by some travel writers.
Studies are now being undertaken to examine the full extent of this connection, but physicians generally agree that sitting still for three hours or more, especially if the seat cushion presses against the bottom of the thighs, encourages blood to stagnate in the lower portion of the legs. This may cause swelling, stiffness, joint pain and fever, and increases the odds that a blood clot could form in the veins. This blood clot could then break loose and travel to the lungs where it could constrict the flow of blood to the lungs, creating a pulmonary embolism that could result in severe health problems or even death. Embolisms can occur hours, or even days after the clot is formed.
While the risk is small for most healthy people, many airlines are issuing warnings to their passengers both on their websites and when long-haul tickets are purchased. In addition, some airline sites offer exercise routines that can be performed while seated to keep the blood flowing. The following tips will help keep you in circulation:
Drink lots of water, and avoid beverages that dehydrate (coffee, tea, alcohol)
Avoid salty food; snack instead on healthy foods to encourage good circulation
Wear support socks that apply the proper amount of compression to the lower legs
Get up and move around the aircraft cabin occasionally (aisle seats make this easier)
Exercise your feet and legs four to five minutes every hour when seated.
If your legs are not long enough for your feet to rest comfortably on the floor, use a footrest or prop your feet on your carry-on bag. This will reduce seat pressure on the back of your thighs that may inhibit circulation.
If your legs are long, try to board at the first announcement to increase the odds that your carry-on luggage can be stowed in the overhead bin, allowing you to take advantage of all available leg space.
For extra comfort and protection from swelling and DVT, alternating pressure seat cushions enhance circulation by shifting the pressure points where your body comes in contact with the airline seat.
Of course, if a traveler is currently suffering from circulation problems or has a history of blood clots, a physician should be consulted prior to flying.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Travel Tip Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
1. Be sure and carry a jacket with you onto the airplane, they generally keep the cabins very cold and that would be a long miserable trip if you cannot get warm.
2. There will be instructions in your documents stating when and where your tour guide will greet you and you will join the group. We will go over these documents together in person, phone or via e-mail @ groupspecialist@hotmail.com
3. You are going to need a travel plug converter in order to use any of your electronics over seas.
DO NOT PLUG IN ANY OF THEM WITHOUT USING THE CONVERTER YOU WILL FRY YOUR APPLIANCE, CAMERA, PHONE, CURLING IRON, HAIR DRYER, ETC. You can pick one up at Wal-Mart or a retail store near you.
4. When ever you go away from your hotel,
EACH OF YOU SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO GRAP A BUSINESS CARD FROM THE FRONT DESK THAT HAS THE HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS ON IT. DO THIS REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE GOING OUT ON YOUR OWN OR WITH THE GROUP.
With this information you will always to able to get back to your hotel with no problems.
5. Do not leave any cash in your rooms when you leave. Each of you should keep a little cash in different areas on your person. Each of you should also have a credit card.
6. You should have two credit cards (Different accounts)
7. Always make sure that you have your passport on your body whenever you leave your hotel rooms.Do not leave them in your rooms, not even just to go eat.
8. Be sure and have your Trip Insurance information with your other travel documents on your person when traveling. Hopefully you will not need them, but if you do you will have no worries. If you face any problems, Illness, missed flight, lost luggage there is contact numbers for you to call. Do this right away! And you can always contact me through my web site at www.dmttravel.com from any location.
9. If you want to purchase souvenirs during your trip I would try to use your credit card as much as possible. That way you have proof of purchase, and tracking if a problem arises.
I will continue to come up with as many of these tips as I can to make your travel experience
A GREAT ONE. Thank you for your business
Call Today to book your dream vacation or destination wedding.
Donna Touchette 928-757-3368 or 928-377-3923
2. There will be instructions in your documents stating when and where your tour guide will greet you and you will join the group. We will go over these documents together in person, phone or via e-mail @ groupspecialist@hotmail.com
3. You are going to need a travel plug converter in order to use any of your electronics over seas.
DO NOT PLUG IN ANY OF THEM WITHOUT USING THE CONVERTER YOU WILL FRY YOUR APPLIANCE, CAMERA, PHONE, CURLING IRON, HAIR DRYER, ETC. You can pick one up at Wal-Mart or a retail store near you.
4. When ever you go away from your hotel,
EACH OF YOU SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO GRAP A BUSINESS CARD FROM THE FRONT DESK THAT HAS THE HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS ON IT. DO THIS REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE GOING OUT ON YOUR OWN OR WITH THE GROUP.
With this information you will always to able to get back to your hotel with no problems.
5. Do not leave any cash in your rooms when you leave. Each of you should keep a little cash in different areas on your person. Each of you should also have a credit card.
6. You should have two credit cards (Different accounts)
7. Always make sure that you have your passport on your body whenever you leave your hotel rooms.Do not leave them in your rooms, not even just to go eat.
8. Be sure and have your Trip Insurance information with your other travel documents on your person when traveling. Hopefully you will not need them, but if you do you will have no worries. If you face any problems, Illness, missed flight, lost luggage there is contact numbers for you to call. Do this right away! And you can always contact me through my web site at www.dmttravel.com from any location.
9. If you want to purchase souvenirs during your trip I would try to use your credit card as much as possible. That way you have proof of purchase, and tracking if a problem arises.
I will continue to come up with as many of these tips as I can to make your travel experience
A GREAT ONE. Thank you for your business
Call Today to book your dream vacation or destination wedding.
Donna Touchette 928-757-3368 or 928-377-3923
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday Travel Tips, February 10,2009
Things to know before you go
1. You should have two credit cards (Different accounts)
2. Be sure and call your Credit Card Companies and tell them the dates and the destinations of your vacation.
3. You might want to go to your bank and get some currency before your trip. You should be able to get some at the airport but that would be just one more thing to have to do then, and I think you would get a better deal from your bank.
4. Make sure and make a copy of your passport, carry that copy in your carry-on.
Also leave a copy with your travel agent @www.dmttravel.com or a family member.
5. Make a copy of your itinerary and place it inside your checked luggage, right on top. That way if your luggage happens to get misplaced the airlines will have the information needed to forward it to you.
Also leave a copy of your itinerary home with a family member or friend.
Another thing to consider is for you to share suitcases. Each pack half your clothes in the others suitcase.
That way if one losses their luggage you at least have something to wear until your bags show up.
If by some chance your luggage is not there, go directly to the claims center and let them know. If you are going to be greeted by a tour guide be sure and tell them also .Then call your Travel Insurance Company.
6. Be sure and have any medication, camera, jewelry (I would not even take any jewelry) in your carry-on. Do not pack these things in your checked bags. AND DO NOT PACK ANY CASH, TRAVELERS CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS IN YOUR CHECKED BAGS.
7. You will only be allowed one suitcase not weighing over 50 pounds, one carry on and a purse or small brief case type item. If you go over the weight restrictions the airlines will charge you big.
Tour companies only allow one suit case per person on the bus.
8. If you are parking yourself at the airport, please remember to write down where you parked and place it somewhere handy that you will remember. When you return home you are going to be very tired and trying to remember this stuff is just too hard.
If you are arranging other transportation to and from the airport be sure and have their contact information, so you can get in touch if you need to. I would give them a call when you return to the states before your connecting flight takes off to touch base and review your pickup details.
More of What you need to know before you go next week, If you have any questions now please contact me through http://www.dmttravel.com/
Talk to you soon
Donna Touchette
1. You should have two credit cards (Different accounts)
2. Be sure and call your Credit Card Companies and tell them the dates and the destinations of your vacation.
3. You might want to go to your bank and get some currency before your trip. You should be able to get some at the airport but that would be just one more thing to have to do then, and I think you would get a better deal from your bank.
4. Make sure and make a copy of your passport, carry that copy in your carry-on.
Also leave a copy with your travel agent @www.dmttravel.com or a family member.
5. Make a copy of your itinerary and place it inside your checked luggage, right on top. That way if your luggage happens to get misplaced the airlines will have the information needed to forward it to you.
Also leave a copy of your itinerary home with a family member or friend.
Another thing to consider is for you to share suitcases. Each pack half your clothes in the others suitcase.
That way if one losses their luggage you at least have something to wear until your bags show up.
If by some chance your luggage is not there, go directly to the claims center and let them know. If you are going to be greeted by a tour guide be sure and tell them also .Then call your Travel Insurance Company.
6. Be sure and have any medication, camera, jewelry (I would not even take any jewelry) in your carry-on. Do not pack these things in your checked bags. AND DO NOT PACK ANY CASH, TRAVELERS CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS IN YOUR CHECKED BAGS.
7. You will only be allowed one suitcase not weighing over 50 pounds, one carry on and a purse or small brief case type item. If you go over the weight restrictions the airlines will charge you big.
Tour companies only allow one suit case per person on the bus.
8. If you are parking yourself at the airport, please remember to write down where you parked and place it somewhere handy that you will remember. When you return home you are going to be very tired and trying to remember this stuff is just too hard.
If you are arranging other transportation to and from the airport be sure and have their contact information, so you can get in touch if you need to. I would give them a call when you return to the states before your connecting flight takes off to touch base and review your pickup details.
More of What you need to know before you go next week, If you have any questions now please contact me through http://www.dmttravel.com/
Talk to you soon
Donna Touchette
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