Can something as simple as a sock really prevent you from a life threatening condition? Find the answer to this and more.
What are flight socks?
Flight socks are a form of compression wear recommended by the Aviation Health Institute as one of the many means to help reduce the risk of DVT during your long haul flight.
The graduated compression technology within flight socks is what sets it apart from your typical everyday business or sports sock.
Graduated compression works by having the most compression at your ankle, then it ‘gradually’ reduces towards the top of the sock, by doing so it increases blood flow back towards your heart.
The importance of blood flow during a long haul flight should not be underestimated. The information provided on this page and throughout the website will attest to this fact that, if you do not take care of your blood flow during extended periods of restricted mobility eg. long-haul flights, you are putting yourself at great risk.
So as you will come to see, flight socks are not just a fancy pair of socks you wear because you are flying. Although the thought of being able to wear a pair of flight socks to help you fly is kind of nice.
Why wear flight socks?
Air passengers, particularly during long-haul flight are prone to certain health problems, such as swelling of the legs, feet, ankles, and in more severe cases DVT. These problems are mostly caused by cabin pressure and sitting in the same position for an extended period of time. As a result blood circulation significantly reduces throughout the legs and causes blood to ‘pool’ within these areas.
Flight socks are recommended by vascular specialists as they have been proven to reduce the risk of DVT and can assist you in combination with other activities such as regular walking breaks, and increasing water consumption as a means towards improving blood circulation during your flight.
What is DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis?
DVT is a blood clot formed within the ‘deep veins’ of your body, typically the thigh or lower leg. Where Deep Vein Thrombosis becomes fatal is when the blood clot moves from these deep veins to your lungs – these blood clots are called ‘embolus’. When this occurs you can be in serious trouble, as this action in most cases leads towards a pulmonary embolism – and this is something you definitely don’t want to get!
Pulmonary embolism is when the blood clot that travelled from your deep vein is now lodged within your lungs arteries. This blockage can result in permanent damage to your lungs aswell as damage to other organs of your body.
In fact, if the blood clot is large enough, or you happen to have many small blood clots within your lungs,a pulmonary embolism will kill you.
If Pulmonary Embolism can be fatal, what symptoms should i be aware of?
It is difficult to say because in many cases those who have suffered a fatality from pulmonary embolism displayed no prior signs nor symptoms. However if you experience a shortness of breath (chronic or othwerwise), a sharp sudden pain within your chest (pleuritic chest pain), fainting, convulsions or light headedness, coughing up blood, or are developing swelling within your legs or ankles, you may indeed have a pulmonary embolism.
This condition is very serious and if not attended to it will cause death.
Just to help illustrate the seriousness of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, consider the fact that more people suffer from DVT each year more so then heart attacks or strokes. Also- and unbelievably i might add – DVT kills more people annually in the United States than AIDS, traffic accidents and breast cancer combined.
Having said that, to correctly diagnose your situation you must seek the aid of your health professional – although this website is well researched, your own condition is unique, therefore i recommend you seek a professionals help before coming to your own conclusions.
If i Have Varicose Veins does that mean i have DVT?
In very minor cases varicose veins are caused by DVT, but given the core differences between the two this is often not the case.
Yes varicose veins are also caused by blood clots, however these blood clots only exist within superficial veins that are closer to the skin, where as Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs only within the ‘deep veins’ of your body.
However, as with all things regarding your health, if in doubt, consult your physician.
Am i at risk of getting Deep Vein Thrombosis?
There are many risk factors that can lead towards DVT, and this is by no means exhaustive, however what i’m about to share with your are the main risks to be aware of.
As mentioned earlier, if you are not moving for an extended period of time, as is the case during long-haul flights, you may be susceptible to DVT. If you have cancer, an infection, are obese, over 40, smoke, have a personal or family history of heart and clotting conditions, are pregnant, just completed major surgery within the last 3 months or have generally really poor health or blood circulation – you may want to consider the idea of having a pair of flight socks before your next flight.
Do flight socks stop DVT?
Although flight socks promote blood flow during flight, and poor circulation is a benefactor towards Deep Vein Thrombosis, flight socks on their own do not stop it cold. It is not possible to have DVT and hope by wearing flight socks you will be ‘magically’ cured. Flight socks are however, an effective precautionary measure that can significantly reduce your risk of DVT.
What else can i do to lower my risk of DVT during a flight?
Moving your legs, whether while your in your seat or walking in the aisle are good preventative measures, as well as staying thoroughly hydrated will help.
Being well hydrated will probably start the ball rolling for you anyways, because if your anything like me, you will have to get up plenty of times to go to the toilet, and their is your 1-2-stay-away-from-me-DVT combo right there. You get hydrated, and you get your exercise all at the same time.
As a precautionary measure, most airlines these days provide exercise sheets to inform you of efficient exercises you can do while en-route. The sheets are normally located in the same pocket as the emergency evacuation procedure sheet.
Does aspirin help to reduce the risk of DVT?
I have often heard of doctors recommending its usage however its effectiveness remains disputed.
On what length of flight should I wear flight socks?
Flight socks were originally designed for long-haul flights, which by definition are over 4 hours long. However depending on your health situation and risk to DVT, you may wish to wear them during a shorter flight as well.
Am i only allowed to wear flight socks during flight?
No – you can wear flight socks whenever you feel the need, however you will only truly experience their benefit when you are wearing them under similiar mobility restrictive conditions, such as sitting for extended periods at work, or travelling by bus, boat, train or other vehicle for a long period.
When should i wear and when should i take off my Flight Socks?
For the sake of comfort and ease i’d recommend you put on your flight socks when you get dressed. As for taking them off, you should do so when you arrive, and not during your flight. Taking off your flight socks during flight would reduce their effectiveness.
Do flight socks reduce swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs?
Yes – flight socks reduce swelling by increasing blood circulation throughout your legs and entire body. Swelling in your legs is a cause of poor blood circulation, amongst other things.
Are flight socks the same as compressions socks?
Essentially yes as they both promote blood circulation as a means to reduce DVT.
Are compression pants and stockings as effective as flight socks in the reduction of DVT?
Provided they are designed with the same graduated compression technology used within flight socks, as is most often the case these days with compression garments, then yes they are.
Having said that, wearing compression pants under a pair of shorts or long pants, particularly during long flights in warm climates, is very uncomfortable – believe me!
If you would prefer to wear the compression pants then i would highly recommend a pair of 2xu compression pants. These tend to maintain their shape better than other compression garments. But due to their cost, i would only advise purchasing a pair if you know you will be using them for other activities – namely sports.
Do airlines provide flight socks on long haul?
Typically they do not, so do not expect any airline no matter which class you fly in to provide you with a pair.
When is a good time to purchase flight socks?
Definitely before the day of departure, in fact i would recommend you buy a pair now. There is no guarantee airport shops will be in stock of flight socks, and if they do they may not have your size.
You are concerned about the risk of DVT now, so i advise you purchase a pair now. It is better that then to arrive with swollen ankles and be inflicted with the discomfort during your travels, then to be disapointed in the fact that you could have done something about it sooner.
Discover the top 3 flight socks online as recommended by other customers.
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