DVT & The benefit of flight socks & compression stockings

 

DVT
When blood flow is slow or sluggish, as can happen in poorly performing leg veins, your leg muscles compensate by helping to power blood up your legs to the heart. But if your movements are restricted for a period of time, such as sitting without moving for a long period of time, your ankles may swell and your legs ache. There may also be a low risk of a deep vein thrombosis or blood clot forming if you are at special risk.

 

Preventions

The risk of DVT is low, but you can help reduce it by wearing Scholl Flight Socks or Scholl Flight Socks Sheer. Take every opportunity to leave your seat and move around, or flex your shoulders feet and ankles when this isn't possible. Drinking plenty of water and wearing loose clothing is a good idea.

 

It's also worth avoiding caffeine or alcohol, not allowing the backs of your calves to press up against your seat or using footrests that leave your feet dangling.

 

Symptoms

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the veins of the legs, usually the calf. The blood in your legs has to overcome the effects of gravity in order to return to your heart. To help with this, the muscles of the legs act as a pump as you walk around. If you spend a long time not using your legs, sitting in cramped conditions where dehydration is likely, circulatory problems can occur. This includes swollen ankles, tired or aching legs or more serious conditions, such as a DVT.

 

These conditions are well discussed because of the associated cause of being on board aeroplanes.

 

Treatment of a DVT can only be carried out by health care professionals. Treatment

 

About Flight Socks & Compression Stockings

Long Periods of inactivity, combined with the cramped conditions and dehydration which can occur on long journeys, can cause a number of circulatory problems including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - blood clots. Scholl Flight Socks are medically proven to help prevent DVT by helping to improve blood flow. Designed for continuous comfort, they help relieve tired arching legs and swollen ankles so that you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and your legs feel revitalised. Scholl Flight Socks are ultra soft, have a comfort top and look and feel like normal socks.

 

The benefits:

- Clinically proven graduated compression system to improve circulation

- Help to prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legs

- Antimicrobial protection keeps feet fresh and odour free

 

Reduces the risk of:
 

Varicose veins – Which can be unsightly, itchy and uncomfortable.
Inflammation of the veins - also known as phlebitis. Inflamed veins can cause reddening, overheating and pain along the course of the vein.

Thrombosis – poor return of blood from your legs increases your risk of blood clots forming in your veins.

Venous ulcers – when blood does not flow properly in your legs the nutrients and oxygen it carries may not reach every cell properly. This can damage the tissues, leading to ulcers on the skin that are difficult to heal.

 
How compression stockings and socks work
Compression stockings and socks work with your body to help you to keep your blood flowing back from your legs up towards your heart. Your Scholl compression stockings and socks help you to achieve this in two ways:

 
1. Overall compression
Firstly, compression stockings and socks gently squeeze your legs inwards. This squeezing helps to reduce the blood flow and pressure in the veins near the surface of your skin. It also brings the vein walls closer together, which will help the vein valves to prevent the blood slipping back towards your feet.

 
2. Graduated compression

Compression stockings and socks do more than simply squeeze your legs. You will notice that they are tighter around your ankle than around your calf and, if you wear thigh length stockings, they will be tighter around your calf than around your thigh. The pressure or tightness gradually relaxes as it goes up your leg, which produces a gentle, upwardly squeezing effect. This progressive reduction is called ‘graduated compression’ and is a particularly effective way to push blood up your leg.

 

Lowest compression at your thigh - Keeps the blood moving upwards, towards your heart.

Intermediate compression at your calf - Assists your calf muscle as it pushes blood up into your thigh.

Highest compression at your ankle - Helps to move blood from your foot and ankle into your calf.