As the travel market enters peak season, more people are taking flights for overseas travel. At this time, it is important to be aware of ‘economy class syndrome.’ Although the name may suggest a condition related to economy seats, this syndrome is a condition that occurs when sitting in economy class seats for a long time. If you have a long-haul flight planned, read this post for a healthy journey!
The narrow seats on airplanes are the problem.
Economy class syndrome is a syndrome that occurs when sitting for a long time in the narrow economy class seats of an airplane. Its official name is ‘deep vein thrombosis.’ When you fly, the humidity, pressure, and oxygen levels all decrease, causing the blood flow to become sluggish. During this time, if blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs, it can lead to deep vein thrombosis, where the veins become blocked.
Blood clots are more likely to form in the veins of the legs. This is because the legs are the farthest part from the heart, and when the movement of the leg muscles decreases, the blood quickly stagnates. Swelling of the legs, a change in skin color to purple, and a feeling of warmth may occur. It can lead to respiratory difficulties, chest pain, dizziness, and coughing in severe cases.
If not treated in time?
If deep vein thrombosis occurs, you may feel swelling and numbness in the legs or muscle pain in the calves when elevating the ankles. If not treated in time, the symptoms can worsen and cause chest pain. As mentioned earlier, the skin color may turn red or pale. In severe cases, blood clots can travel to the pulmonary arteries, causing pulmonary embolism and potentially leading to death.
It’s not just something that happens on the plane.
Economy class syndrome is not limited to just happening on the plane. It can also occur due to genetic conditions, trauma and surgical procedures, prolonged hospitalization, and prolonged sitting occupations. Especially for patients with deep vein disorders, extra caution is needed as the risk of occurrence is about 9 times higher than in normal individuals.
If the symptoms are severe?
Deep vein thrombosis can be treated using anticoagulants to dissolve the blood. Elevating the swollen leg above the heart or wearing compression stockings can also be helpful. If the symptoms are severe, a catheter can be inserted into the blood vessels to dissolve or remove the blood clot. In cases where there is a large amount of blood clot, a filter can be inserted into the inferior vena cava, which prevents the blood clot from moving to the pulmonary artery.
Pay more attention when boarding international flights.
During flights, the cabin pressure is lower, and the oxygen concentration is only about 80% of that on the ground. This slows down blood circulation. During long flights, the cabin humidity can drop below 20%, leading to dehydration and an increased risk of blood clot formation. According to a study, the risk of blood clotting increases by about 26% for every 2 hours of flight time. Therefore, paying more attention and preparing when boarding international flights, which have relatively longer flight times than domestic flights, is essential.
Wear comfortable and loose clothing.
Avoid tight-fitting skinny jeans, boots, and other clothing that can hinder blood circulation during the flight. Medical compression stockings can also be helpful, as they help promote blood flow in the leg veins, even in situations where the legs cannot move freely. Most prefer comfortable training suits for their ‘airport fashion’ or ‘airport look.’
Stretch periodically.
Due to the narrow seating and limited movement inside the airplane, performing exercises such as lifting the heels or rotating the ankles while seated is beneficial. These stretching exercises help promote blood circulation using the calf muscles in the legs. It is also recommended to massage the calves during these exercises.
Choose aisle seats.
When choosing airplane seats, window seats are often preferred for the view outside, but if you prioritize your health, it is recommended to choose aisle seats, which allow for more freedom of movement. Walking along the airplane aisle once every hour can also help prevent deep vein thrombosis.
Avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol.
To prevent the formation of blood clots, it is essential to consume an adequate amount of fluids. Carrying a personal tumbler to drink water regularly is also a good idea. Caffeine and alcohol provided on the plane can promote dehydration, so it is better to avoid them as much as possible.
By. Choi Deok Su (press@daily.co.kr)
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