Medical Information
	Taking the risk out of travelling vascular specialists now recommend the use of compression hosiery Tips for your flight Drink as much as possible Dry air in the aeroplane increases your water requirement. Drink as much as you can. Avoid alcoholic drinks. Sit properly Do not cross your legs. This would make blood flow return even more difficult. Walk up and down the cabin Movement is good for your veins. Combine walking with standing on your toes. These tips will also benefit your veins if you're travelling by car, bus or train.	Information about traveller's thrombosis Contra- indications Fact Sheet Tips and Advice
	Tips for your holidays Walking barefoot The flatter your shoes, the better it is for your veins. Walking barefoot is particularly healthy. Paddling in cool water Movement combined with cooling does your legs a world of good. Relaxing in the shade Sun is good for you but heat is hard an your veins.
	Ready for take-off ...
	The best time of the year - holiday time - can also be the most dangerous time of the year. This page will tell you why, and what you can do about it. Holidays often begin with a long-distance flight lasting over four hours. Without knowing it, every third traveller is carrying potentially life-threatening freight in his luggage: The risk of venous thrombosis Thrombi are blood clots that tend to form in the leg veins. They are often carried away by the bloodstream and are swept at high speed through the heart and into the lungs. Here, they can become trapped in the narrower arteries and cause a dangerous pulmonary embolism. Smaller embolisms often remain undetected and lead to damage at a later stage. However, in Germany 25,000 people die each year from the consequences of pulmonary embolisms. What happens? The solid components of the blood tend to come together and then move apart again. In other words, small clots constantly forming and then dispersing again.
	... and what about your veins?
	Three risk factors can decisively interfere with this healthy process: a) The return flow of the blood is slowed b) The coagulability of the blood is increased c) There are obstructions to flow in the veins. lf just one of these factors is present, the dispersion of blood clots is in danger. The risk of thrombosis grows. It is not without reason that experienced doctors warn of the so-called "Economy-class-syndrome" inflight thrombosis. In an aeroplane the narrow seating and lack of movement promote the blockage of your veins. Dry air increases the tendency of the blood to clot. The consequence: The risk of thrombosis increases considerably!
	Are you at risk?
	lf you recognise that you're at risk in good time, you can avoid the consequences for your health. lf you are planning to fly, you should carry out your personal safety test now. Please answer the questions on this page and you will find out whether you belong to the group of people who are at risk. PS: Even if you have answered all of the questions with "No", please take note of the tips for your holidays and for your flight.
	Risk of in-flight thrombosis?
	Your safety test Please answer these questions	Yes
	Heavy legs in the evening
	Swollen legs in the evening
	Tired legs in the evening
	Spiderveins
	Varicose veins
	Do you take the pill
	More than 12 weeks pregnant
	Are you taking diuretics
	Are you a heavy smoker
	Heart or vascular disease
	Over 60 years old
	Pain in leg when coughing
	Pain in foot when walking
	Painless swelling
	Area of inflammation
	Reddening with pain
	In plaster or wearing orthesis
	Surgery (including dental) within the past three months
	History of venous thrombosis, post-thrombotic syndrome
	History of pulmonary embolism
	Coagulation disorder
	Previous accident with injuries or burns
	Inflamed vein walls due to catheter or injections
	Please consult your doctor if you have answered one or more of the questions with "Yes".	Top