Economy class syndrome, also known as lower extremity deep vein thrombosis or travel thromboembolism, is a condition in which venous blood flow in the lower extremities slows down and stagnates due to sitting in a confined space for a long time, such as an economy class airplane seat, train or car, which in turn leads to the formation of deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities. When a passenger disembarks from a plane or vehicle, the blood clot may break off and travel with the bloodstream, and if the blood clot enters the pulmonary circulation, it can trigger a pulmonary embolism, which is a serious condition that can cause symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, hemoptysis, and in severe cases, sudden death.
People at high risk of economy class syndrome include people with a history of thrombosis in the past, pregnant women or people who have just given birth and have been taking oral contraceptives for a long time, patients who have recently undergone foot surgery or foot fractures, patients with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, patients with abnormal coagulation function, patients with injuries to the lining of blood vessels in the lower limbs, patients with arteriosclerosis, obesity, smokers, etc. If these people take cramped transportation for a long time, they should pay special attention to their physical condition and seek medical attention if they are not feeling well.
Ways to prevent economy class syndrome include getting up regularly, exercising lower limb muscles, wearing loose-fitting clothing and shoes, and avoiding crossing your legs for long periods of time. In addition, maintaining adequate water intake can also help prevent blood thickening and thrombosis.
In conclusion, economy class syndrome is a deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities caused by sitting in a confined space for a long time, and in severe cases, it may lead to critical conditions such as pulmonary embolism. High-risk groups should pay attention to their physical condition, take preventive measures, and avoid prolonged sedentary lifestyle. If you are not feeling well, seek medical attention in time to avoid delay**.