DVT and sleeping pills
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DVT and sleeping pills
Re DVT and sleeping pills, if a DVT is brought on whilst flying, it seems to be accepted that this is due to lack of movement. However does the cabin pressure have something to do with it as well?
I believe many people take some form of sleeping medication during a longhaul flight which also puts them in a position of not moving about much for several hours.
If it is lack of movement alone, then those people who regularly take sleeping pills for a good night's sleep whilst on the ground are surely just as much at risk of a DVT as those in the air, or as mentioned before, does flying at 6000ft or whatever the cabin pressure is at, aggravate the situation. I understand that the same problem can occur on any long journey at ground level, when movement is difficult. Presumably there is less risk of developing a DVT if you travel business or first because you can stretch out more.
Also, no-one ever seems to mention the flight deck crew on long haul and even short haul. How many get DVT's? This subject is never covered by the media or is it that each pilot does 100 steps around the flight deck once an hour!!
Just out of interest
aa
I believe many people take some form of sleeping medication during a longhaul flight which also puts them in a position of not moving about much for several hours.
If it is lack of movement alone, then those people who regularly take sleeping pills for a good night's sleep whilst on the ground are surely just as much at risk of a DVT as those in the air, or as mentioned before, does flying at 6000ft or whatever the cabin pressure is at, aggravate the situation. I understand that the same problem can occur on any long journey at ground level, when movement is difficult. Presumably there is less risk of developing a DVT if you travel business or first because you can stretch out more.
Also, no-one ever seems to mention the flight deck crew on long haul and even short haul. How many get DVT's? This subject is never covered by the media or is it that each pilot does 100 steps around the flight deck once an hour!!
Just out of interest
aa
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vienna
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The primary reason is the lack of motion for an extended period of time - so it could also happen in a car or a bus, but most people stop several times during rides in the range of 10 hours plus.
Furthermore, there are other factors which heighten the risk:
* Smoking
* Bad nutrition & overweight
The diameter of the veines is reduced by the rubbish we like to eat and inhale.
* Consumption of alcohol
* Consumption of coffee
Coffee and alcohol generally reduce the amount of water available in the body - unfortunately many people
* Side effects of medicine
For example women who used to take the pill for years are also subject to higher risk - levels.
So the highest - risk pax is a a heavily smoking women in their late forties with some overweight and a long history of taking the pill who drinks alcohol to be able to sleep and coffee for the time - shift. On the other hand, I think there was a case of a person (not sure of the sex) who died on the flight from SYD to LHR - mentioned person was part of the olympic track-and-field team of the UK. Best physical condition, best medical care, not alcohol, no smoking, no pill.
I am no doctor, but this covers more or less the version I got from the medical staff.
Regards, Bernhard
Furthermore, there are other factors which heighten the risk:
* Smoking
* Bad nutrition & overweight
The diameter of the veines is reduced by the rubbish we like to eat and inhale.
* Consumption of alcohol
* Consumption of coffee
Coffee and alcohol generally reduce the amount of water available in the body - unfortunately many people
* Side effects of medicine
For example women who used to take the pill for years are also subject to higher risk - levels.
So the highest - risk pax is a a heavily smoking women in their late forties with some overweight and a long history of taking the pill who drinks alcohol to be able to sleep and coffee for the time - shift. On the other hand, I think there was a case of a person (not sure of the sex) who died on the flight from SYD to LHR - mentioned person was part of the olympic track-and-field team of the UK. Best physical condition, best medical care, not alcohol, no smoking, no pill.
I am no doctor, but this covers more or less the version I got from the medical staff.
Regards, Bernhard
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As I understand it the biggest culprit in DVT is dehydration, lack of Oxygen, lack of movemnent or sitting motionless for hours at a time, while drinking coffee or tea which exacerbates the problem
Being overweight some say yes and others say no, one Vascular Surgeon I spoke to was on the NO side.
But if you had recent major surgery then the formation of a DVT is high within the 3 months or so, so now there seems a policy to have patients on Warfarin pills while they are in hospital lying motionless to prevent DVT forming.
But what has been expressed on this thread is valid, plenty of water and keep moving, but one day when you are giving blood for some test, get a thromphilia test and see if you are predisposed to blood clotting.
But remeber that DVT can be dangerous and in some cases it can be fatal, so take it seriously.
Being overweight some say yes and others say no, one Vascular Surgeon I spoke to was on the NO side.
But if you had recent major surgery then the formation of a DVT is high within the 3 months or so, so now there seems a policy to have patients on Warfarin pills while they are in hospital lying motionless to prevent DVT forming.
But what has been expressed on this thread is valid, plenty of water and keep moving, but one day when you are giving blood for some test, get a thromphilia test and see if you are predisposed to blood clotting.
But remeber that DVT can be dangerous and in some cases it can be fatal, so take it seriously.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: He's on the limb to nowhere
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's an interesting question, aaaaa. Perhaps the best thing is to download (650kb pdf) and read a BMA guide, The impact of flying on passenger health. It's very readable and should be easy for most to understand.
They don't cite any research to answer your particular question, but say there is 'concern' about taking sleeping tablets when flying. So take that how you like, but it doesn't concern me enough to stop me doing so on an occasional basis. Only ever take these things after talking with your doctor and lay off the booze.
Also be very careful about what the airline tells you, whenever some research is published on the topic of DVT you will get an airline writing in to give their spin on it. If there are conflicting studies, I have noticed that they will only cite the ones which backup their point of view.
They don't cite any research to answer your particular question, but say there is 'concern' about taking sleeping tablets when flying. So take that how you like, but it doesn't concern me enough to stop me doing so on an occasional basis. Only ever take these things after talking with your doctor and lay off the booze.
Also be very careful about what the airline tells you, whenever some research is published on the topic of DVT you will get an airline writing in to give their spin on it. If there are conflicting studies, I have noticed that they will only cite the ones which backup their point of view.
