China News Service, Beijing, September 30 (Zhang Jing) During the National Day holiday, the peak of long-distance travel is approaching. Whether traveling by plane, train or driving, many people have experienced numbness in their legs and swollen feet after sitting in their seats for a long time. But what you may not know is that there may be a fatal risk behind it - venous thromboembolism. Regarding how to scientifically prevent venous thromboembolism during holidays, China-Singapore Health Reporter interviewed Luan Jingyuan, Director of Interventional Vascular Surgery at Peking University Third Hospital.
1. What is venous thromboembolism?
Medically known as venous thromboembolism, it mainly includes deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs and pulmonary embolism. Slow blood stasis, blood hypercoagulability caused by abnormal blood components, and damage to the blood vessel wall can easily cause deep vein thrombosis. Once the venous thrombus breaks off, it may enter the heart with the blood flow, block the pulmonary artery, and cause pulmonary embolism. In severe cases, it may lead to sudden shock or even sudden death.
Venous thrombosis of the lower limbs often manifests as unilateral lower limb swelling, pain, increased skin temperature, and redness of the skin; pulmonary embolism may manifest as palpitation and asthma after activity, and then develop into dyspnea at rest, chest pain, cough, and even hemoptysis, and the condition may rapidly worsen within a few hours.
2. Why does sitting for a long time cause thrombosis?
If you remain in a fixed sitting position for a long time, the lower limbs will droop and the knee joints will bend, the blood flow in the veins of the lower limbs will slow down significantly, and the stagnant blood flow will easily coagulate and form blood clots. When you stand up and move suddenly, the blood clot may break away from its original position and enter the pulmonary artery with the blood flow, causing pulmonary embolism.
Therefore, long-distance travel by car, self-driving, airplane and other travel methods all have the risk of venous thrombosis.
3. Who is at higher risk?
When traveling by car or self-driving for more than 4 hours, the following people need to be extra vigilant:
-Have a history of venous thrombosis or family history of thrombosis, or abnormal coagulation function;
-Have recently undergone major surgery, orthopedic surgery, or have recently suffered trauma or endothelial injury;
-Suffering from malignant tumors, as well as serious heart, liver, and kidney diseases;
- Pregnant or puerperal women taking birth control pills and hormonal drugs for a long time;
-The elderly, obese, sedentary and smokers.
4. How to prevent scientifically?
1. Regularly move the lower limbs
Avoid sitting still for long periods of time, and get up and move around for a few minutes every 1-2 hours; when it is inconvenient to get up, you can repeatedly do ankle pump exercises such as hooking your toes, stretching your toes, and rotating your ankles in your seat to use calf muscle contraction to promote blood return.
2. Replenish water appropriately
Drink an appropriate amount of water to avoid blood becoming sticky due to dehydration; at the same time, naturally change your sitting posture by going to the toilet to reduce prolonged sitting.
3. Wear loose clothing
Avoid tight clothing, shoes and socks that restrict limbs.
4. Early assessment of high-risk groups
For those with a history of thrombosis, hypercoagulability, or recent surgery, it is recommended to consult a doctor before traveling to evaluate whether drug prevention is needed. If necessary, medical elastic stockings can be worn to assist blood return in the lower limbs.
