Why do we need to think about our veins & traveling? Mainly, because we sit when we travel either by plane or vehicle. While we sit for prolonged periods of time we are incurring pressure, possibly damage because we are not made to be stationary. Some representation of this pressure is visible veins in the form of varicosities or spider veins, swollen ankles, difficulty walking long distances and tiredness to name a few.
Recommendations for compression stockings (20-30 mmHg) appropriately sized fitted and measured help prevent this communication of pressure to the veins of our legs. Too tight and they hurt, too loose and they aren’t helping us so proper sizing is integral to having the stockings work. In addition to wearing stockings, we recommend our clients to take a baby aspirin (if they can), drink water and ambulate during their trip (at each gas stop or in the airplane cabin getting up to go use the restroom).
Who should be wearing compression stockings? Our recommendations are 12 years of age and older, but these recommendations have gotten younger as childhood obesity continues to worsen. When thinking of the formula for blood returning to the heart, the pressure of the abdomen plays a significant role and obesity (high belly pressure) makes that return trip for the blood in the veins more difficult.
So if you’re planning a trip this summer and you are spending any time in a plane or more than an hour driving in car consider wearing compression stockings to help prevent the development of spider and varicose veins (venous disease).
Look better & feel better with Lumiere. Take care. – Dr. C.