We’re a country on the move BUT!

We’re a country on the move. This year 1.73 million Americans will fly per day, and many will board long distance trains, others will venture on coach buses, and a large amount will take road trips or car rides exceeding 8 hours. Unfortunately, when legs are stationary on long travels like these, veins can suffer.

When we walk, our calf muscles squeeze the veins in our legs and the pressure and contractions cause our blood to circulate through our bodies. When our legs remain stagnant or immobile, like when we are sitting on a long flight for example, the blood in our veins can begin to pool from gravity and the lack of upward pressure. This is called retrograde flow. Veins have valves that allow one way flow of blood. Sometimes, the valves can become compromised from a number of reasons and consequently, blood flows back into the vein, through the defective valves and collects in large quantities. This is now varicose veins.

Varicose veins can be very painful and certainly unsightly, causing physical and social discomfort. Varicose veins can also pose a far greater risk of a blood clot. If a blood clot forms and breaks free near the varicose veins, and does not break up rapidly, a pulmonary embolism can result and serious consequences, even death, can occur.

To prevent such problems and ailments, you can begin with something as simple as compression socks.

A physician can prescribe the exact amount of compression needed. While onboard a train or plane, perhaps, you can take advantage of the aisles to walk or do simple exercises while sitting.

If venous issues have already manifested, visit Vein Specialists of Arizona, where Dr. Alpern is one of the most qualified and expert surgeons consistently on the vanguard of state of the art vascular medicine and procedures.