After years of conflicting and inconclusive findings by leading researchers, the World Health Organization (WHO) and The American College of Chest Physicians have provided guidelines about the health risks of prolonged periods of immobility when traveling.
Fear of "economy class syndrome" is more common than ever as airlines aim to fit more seats on planes at the expense of leg room. Read on to learn about the definition, who is at risk, symptoms and treatment.
Remember, if you have questions related to your health, always consult your doctor or medical professional. The information presented here is informative only and is not medical advice.
What is economy class syndrome?
Economy class syndrome is a phrase coined by researchers in 1977: The formation of blood clots in veins deep within the legs -- deep vein thrombosis -- occurring during (or just after) a long airplane flight, especially in economy class where there is the least space allotted per passenger and ones legs tend especially to be immobilized due to lack of leg room.
The economy class syndrome is directly related to immobility for long periods during which blood pools in the legs, raising the risk of clot formation. The tendency to immobility is often compounded by the fasten-seat belt sign, the presence of carts in the aisles, etc.
Other suggested risk factors contributing to the syndrome include lower oxygen pressure and dehydration. Changes in oxygen pressure in the cabin may decrease the oxygen level in the blood, and air in the cabin lacks normal humidity which contributes to dehydration. The serving of coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages, all of which are diuretics, further causes passengers to become dehydrated.
The economy class syndrome is not confined to that class on a plane. It is recommended that all persons traveling on flights, irrespective of which class they are in, drink lots of water, move their legs by walking whenever possible and by periodically flexing and extending their ankles, knees, and hips to minimize the risk of economy class syndrome. Deep vein thrombosis is potentially serious and can even have fatal consequences.
What is a Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)?
