Traveller's Deep Vein Thrombosis - how can you minimise the risk?

AIROGYM - AiroGym is an inflatable exercise cushion which helps in avoiding DVT whilst travelling or sitting for long periods. It is of great use to diabetics, alleviates swollen ankles during pregnancy, is of benefit to the elderly and immobile and during kidney dialysis treatment as well. There are further uses for AiroGym, which you can see on our web site, together with medical testimonials and clinical trials.

Deep vein thrombosis claims the life of at least one airline passenger a month at Heathrow, according to a study published recently. Alarming figures indeed. Ashford hospital, that closest to the arrivals hall, claims to have dealt with 30 passengers killed by the thrombosis in the last three years. The condition is linked to remaining immobile in a seated position for extended periods of time, a scenario found on aircraft, coach journeys, at work or if infirm.The press uses the terminology "economy class syndrome", a phrase which infuriates those trying to address the problem, as the condition can strike those on board an aircraft in economy, business or first.

Our bodies are pretty amazing. When humans stood up, we placed the heart much higher above the legs than a four-legged creature. As you can imagine, the heart would have to work very hard indeed to pump the blood back up from the legs, working against gravity. So our ingenious bodies developed a system called the muscle pump, whereby the muscles in the calves of the legs, when working, contract, and squeeze the vein in the leg. This squeeze forces the blood to move up the vein, towards the heart, and valves at intervals throughout the veins stop the blood from flowing back down again at the end of the contraction.

Clever stuff indeed. However, when we remain static in a seated position for long periods of time, our calf muscles are not working, the muscle pump is therefore ineffective, which can lead to the blood pooling in the lower limbs. This can lead to a blood clot, or thrombosis, forming. These clots may be very small and naturally disappear over the course of time, however the danger occurs if part of this clot breaks off and then moves through the blood, to the lungs, where it will clog the lungs, like a bung, preventing the vital transfer of oxygen to the blood. This is called a pulmonary embolism and is often fatal.

So, what can we do to prevent this from happening on a long haul flight, or any other similar situation? The obvious solution is to work the muscle pump. This can be achieved by taking a walk, but on an aircraft, this creates its own problems. Not only can there not be enough room, but it is likely to disturb other passengers, perhaps trying to sleep, and certainly may interfere with the cabin crew.

There is a greater concern however, and that is of safety. This concern has two points, firstly, if the plane were to hit unexpected turbulence, you are certainly safer strapped in your seat, as advised by airlines for the duration of the flight. Of course you will need to use the loo, but it is the duration and frequency of exercisers that causes concern.

The inventor of the Airogym, a recently retired British Airways long-haul captain developed the product for exactly this reason, safety of passengers, his responsibility for over thirty years. However, a second point has arisen and that is the possibility of bumping your leg whilst you are out of your seat taking this exercise. If you bruise or cut your leg, the bodies natural response is to create a blood clot, this prevents loss of blood through the wound. So you could be actually creating a blood clot in your leg and then be sitting still for long periods of time! A sobering thought indeed.

The solution then? Exercise in your seat. But exercising against thin air provides little work for the muscles to do. It is called passive exercise.

This is where the AirogymT cushion can help. It is a small, inflatable, pocket-sized device, with two compartments. You inflate one compartment, then place on the floor, under your feet. You simply then pump the air from one side to the other, through a small resistance valve, effectively simulating walking, but remaining safely and comfortably in your seat.

The AirogymT has been tested by leading vascular surgeon Mr John Scurr and been proven to increase the flow of blood through the deep veins by up to five times (peak velocity), preventing venous stasis (stagnation of blood flow in the veins) and as such, reducing the risk of blood clots. It works by targeting the muscle pump in the legs, using the four exercises described on the packaging. It is simple, fun, safe and effective.

TO PURCHASE YOUR AIROGYM CUSHION ..........go to www.airogym.com

For further information or to purchase an AirogymT, please visit www.airogym.com email Amanda Richards, Director of Airogym.com at airogym@hotmail.com

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