|
|
|
|
| Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) |
|
| General |
|
ifyouski.com's insurance partners, Club Direct, have become
one of the first insurance suppliers to alter its travel insurance
policies in the wake of the growing debate over the risk of deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) and airline flights.
Club Direct's travel insurance policies have been extended to include
a provision which will pay legal costs of up to £25,000 for passengers
or their relatives to take legal action against airlines, in the
event of death or injury due to DVT. It can be used against any
operator which does not provide advice on reducing the risk of developing
DVT on its flights, a condition which is estimated to lead to the
deaths of over 2,000 British air passengers each year. The full
cost of extending the insurance cover is being met by Club Direct.
Club Direct have taken medical advice from MediQuote, which is
one of the UK's leading travel-related medical assessment companies,
and their recommendations and advice appear below.
Click here for a quick quote
|
| |
| Warning signs |
- Signs can be slight and mistaken for numbness or cramp.
- A hot, painful or swollen leg may be experienced.
- If cramp does not resolve after movement, seek medical advice without delay.
|
| Higher risk groups |
The above precautions should be taken by all air passengers. However,
the following higher risk groups should consider taking additional precautions:
- Minor:Age 40+; very tall/short/obese; previous/current leg swelling for any reason; recent minor leg injury or body surgery; extensive varicose veins. Keep sleep breaks short (no pills), and possibly consider wearing support stockings.
- Moderate: Pregnancy; on contraceptive pill; recent
major leg injury or surgery; recent heart disease; hormone medication/HRT;
family DVT history. Seek professional medical advice and discuss with
doctor the taking of low-dose aspirin and wearing compression stockings.
- Substantial: Previous or current DVT; known clotting tendency;
recent major surgery or stroke; current malignant disease or chemotherapy;
paralysed lower limbs. Avoid/postpone flight. Seek medical advice. If
travelling, ask doctor about taking low molecular weight heparin instead
of aspirin.
Quotes and instant cover for the newly extended Club Direct travel
insurance policies are available by telephone on freephone 0800 083
2464 or via the internet.
|
| |
| |
| DVT? |
DVT involves the formation of a blood clot in the leg. Sufferers
are not always aware that a clot has formed and, on occasion, people have
collapsed shortly after leaving the aircraft.
This is because the clot
can move from the leg to the lung, a condition known as pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary embolism can be instantly fatal, whilst untreated DVT is dangerous
and may require a stay in hospital.
Sometimes noticeable symptoms or death
do not occur until a few weeks after the flight, masking the true level
of deaths caused by flying.
|
| |
| Causes |
- Lack of movement due to cramped conditions, causing impaired blood circulation.
- Dehydration, which is often exacerbated by the dry air circulated on aeroplanes.
- Alcohol, which is served on most flights, increases the risk of dehydration further.
|
| |
| Precautions |
- Move around in the cabin and seat - do not let your legs get too cramped or immobile.
- Whilst sitting, exercise calf muscles and flex and rotate ankles every half hour.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, some soft drinks) before and during flight.
- Drink water (for example, a glass each hour), or non-caffeinated soft drinks and juices.
|
|
|
|
|
Add to favourites
Make ifyouski my homepage