By IANS
New York : Sleeping a lot during long-distance travel can increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, says a US scientist who advises people to do some exercise while on a journey.
Long-distance travel, whether by plane or car, leads to increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the legs, said Alan Lumsden, a vascular surgeon with the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center in Houston.
The clot can travel unnoticed through the blood stream and lodge in the brain, lungs, heart or other areas causing severe damage to organs. Symptoms include pain and tenderness, swelling, redness and increased warmth in one leg, reported Newswise wire.
“If you are travelling overseas or cross country, make sure to get up and walk around at least every two hours, and try not to sleep more than four hours at a time,” Lumsden suggested.
“You should also drink plenty of water or juices, wear loose-fitting clothing, eat light meals, and limit your alcohol consumption,” he added.
Those who do not have the ability to get up every couple of hours and walk around they can extend both legs and exercise while sitting itself, the researcher said.
“In some cases, a physician might suggest that a patient go on blood thinners or simply take an aspirin before and during a long trip to avoid the problem.”