Doctors Warn Of This Health Issue That Could Affect Elderly Travelers On Airplanes

Most frequent travelers have learned through experience that there are some bizarre effects traveling has on the human body. What they may not know is that flying on an airplane could potentially lead to life-threatening medical emergencies, especially for elderly passengers. 

Traveling by plane has certain risks. Your immune system can become weakened, and you may become easily dehydrated from the airplane air that is actually more dry than the Sahara Desert. There are a ton of vacation health hazards to be aware of when traveling. One doctors often warn about specifically for elderly airplane travelers is deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot forming in the legs or other deep veins throughout the body. Deep vein thrombosis can result in a pulmonary embolism. That happens when the blood clot travels from a deep vein through the body to the lungs. When it reaches the lungs, it can block blood from flowing to the life-sustaining organs. Pulmonary embolisms are life-threatening emergencies that require immediate medical intervention.

Long flights can affect your health in particularly scary ways, especially if you're an elderly traveler. Deep vein thrombosis is one of the most frightening risks because it is potentially deadly and can happen out of nowhere with little to no warning. Thankfully, there are symptoms you can be on the lookout for (although sometimes no symptoms are present) and ways to prevent deep vein thrombosis while traveling. 

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include a sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, a cough with or without blood, clammy skin, sweating, and dizziness. That's exactly what happened to a traveler named Enisa right after a 15-hour flight. She wrote a personal essay published on the National Blood Clot Alliance website describing the experience. When the plane landed, she stood up and began having difficulty breathing. Then she experienced dizziness and nausea. The next few hours were a blur until she finally woke up in the emergency room and learned she'd suffered from a pulmonary embolism. 

Dr. Robert McBain, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, discussed the risks with WDBJ7. What's really terrifying is that there is no way to predict that deep vein thrombosis is going to occur, according to the doctor. Medical experts do know that elderly passengers are at an increased risk. So are people who have cancer, those who are overweight, have recently had surgery, or who have a personal or family history of pulmonary embolisms. 

Fortunately, there is some good news. "Most people will survive their pulmonary embolism," Dr. McBain told WDBJ7 in an interview. He added that only a "very small percentage" would result in fatality. The most important thing you can do if you suspect you're experiencing a pulmonary embolism, according to Dr. McBain, is seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Sitting still in a cramped space for prolonged periods of time increases the risks of blood clots deep in the veins of the legs, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That increases the longer you remain stationary. That means sitting through a long-haul flight can put you at an elevated risk for deep vein thrombosis. 

If you think that you may be at risk for blood clots, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor before you travel, per recommendations from the CDC. According to Dr. Robert McBain, doctors may prescribe preventative blood thinners before your trip if they believe you're at high risk for deep vein thrombosis. Everyone, regardless of age or health status, should take preventative measures. Stay hydrated and get up and move around regularly throughout a long flight. 

You can even do stretches in your seat every so often to help decrease the risk. The CDC recommends extending your legs while flexing your ankles toward your body, as well as pulling each knee up to your chest 10 times for a 15 second hold. Wearing compression stockings throughout a long flight may also help prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, according to studies. They can be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a doctor.