Sitting for long periods of time without actively moving your legs, especially on a plane, on a bus, on a train or in a car, can slow down the blood flow in your legs and increase the risk of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis).  Painful and swollen legs are often the first symptoms.

Some factors to take into consideration when travelling are:

• will your trip take more than 4 hours
• age (are you over 40?)
• weight (are you overweight?)
• family history of thrombosis, embolism or clotting problems
• varicose veins
• heart problems
• pregnancy
• history of cancer
• are you taking hormones (e.g. the pill)
• recent operations

If you have answered yes to any of the above, then it is advisable for you to wear travel stockings.  If you have answered yes to 3 or more questions then you may like to ask your doctor about the best precautionary measures.  If these include a prescription for medical compression stockings then come and see me.