Airline Safety Advisor Highlights Risks of Sitting with Crossed Legs DuringFlight and Offers Tips to Minimize Illness Chance
WARNING: Plane Ride Dangers for Seniors - Listen Up!
Fact: Crossing your legs during a flight could put your health at risk, especially if you're of advanced age. Here's why!
Lee Cartwright, our resident elderly care guru from Mobility Solutions Direct, drops a bombshell. Don't cross your legs while on a plane ride - it's a big no-no!
Why's that, you ask? Lee spills the beans: "Crossing your legs during a flight might seem like a breeze, but it's actually one of the worst things you can do to your body while traveling. It can lead to backaches and joint pain, and in serious cases, it can restrict blood flow in your legs, raising the stakes for developing a nasty condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT)."
So what's the big deal about DVT? Lee fills us in: "DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein, usually in the leg. If the clot breaks loose and travels to other parts of your body, it can lead to some serious problems."
As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to DVT. Lee breaks it down: "With age, our circulation slows down, our muscle strength dwindles, and the valves in our veins may not work as smoothly. Combine that with other age-related health issues like diabetes, and you've got a recipe for disaster."
Now you're probably thinking: "So what can I do to dodge this potential danger?" Lee drops some practical tips:
1. Don't Be a Slug - Stay Active:Move around every hour or so and stretch your legs or take a stroll in the aisle. This helps keep your legs active and blood flowing.
2. Open Up - Keep Your Legs Uncrossed:Rather than crossing your legs, try stretching them out with a gentle bend at the knees. This will keep your blood circulating properly and take the strain off your lower back.
3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate:Drink lots of water during your flight to stay well-hydrated. Proper hydration helps your blood flow more smoothly.
4. Invest in Compression Socks:These magical socks apply gentle pressure to your legs, which can help with blood circulation and reduce swelling.
5. Get Moving in Your Seat:Perform simple leg exercises, like flexing your feet, rotating your ankles, and lifting your knees every 30 minutes, to lower your risk of DVT.
But wait, it gets worse! DVT symptoms can be sneaky, so keep an eye out for:
- Swelling in one leg
- Increased cramping
- Discolored skin
- Shortness of breath
If you experience any of these symptoms during your flight or after landing, seek medical attention right away. Don't mess around with that stuff!
In other travel news, a pilot recently shared a game-changing trick for relieving painful ears while flying. Now, you can let the little ones and overdramatic adults share in your suffering-free flight experience.
And if you're looking to score a luxury hotel upgrade, I've got the secret here. You're welcome!
1. The danger of crossing legs during a flight is heightened for seniors, as it may cause backaches, joint pain, and potentially lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT).2. DVT is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a vein, usually in the leg, and can potentially travel to other parts of the body.3. As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to DVT due to slowed circulation, reduced muscle strength, and less efficient vein valves.4. To prevent DVT, it's advised to stay active by moving around every hour and stretching your legs or taking a stroll in the aisle.5. Instead of crossing legs, keep them uncrossed and try stretching them out with a gentle bend at the knees.6. Proper hydration during the flight by drinking lots of water is essential to help blood flow smoothly.7. Compression socks can be helpful, as they apply gentle pressure to the legs and reduce swelling.8. Simple leg exercises like flexing feet, rotating ankles, and lifting knees every 30 minutes can also lower the risk of DVT.9. Be aware of DVT symptoms such as swelling in one leg, increased cramping, discolored skin, and shortness of breath.10. If you experience any of these symptoms during the flight or after landing, seek immediate medical attention.11. A recent pilot's trick for dealing with painful ears during flights might allow everyone to enjoy a more comfortable flight experience.12. If interested in a luxury hotel upgrade, tips and secrets for securing free upgrades can be found here.13. When traveling, maintaining good health and wellness is crucial for golden agers, addressing factors like mental health, skin care, and lifestyle choices.14. Men's health should not be overlooked, with focus on medical conditions, chronic diseases, and age-related health issues.15. Women's health is equally important, encompassing issues like chronic kidney disease, cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health, eye health, hearing, and sexual health.16. Proper nutrition, fitness and exercise, skin care, and weight management are vital for maintaining overall health and wellness throughout various stages of life.17. It's essential to prioritize workplace wellness and address any age-related conditions, chronic diseases, or autoimmune disorders that may impact job performance or quality of life.
