Plain Aspirin for long airline trips

[Kauai Kid]

Our physician recommended 2 plain aspirin before we go on long airline trips--like from Texas to Hawaii. Beats a heart attack or stroke on an airplane.

Might want to see what your Dr thinks about the idea.

Sterling

 

[JoAnn]

Our doctor said a baby aspirin would work too. And we've taken them for our long flights and/or long bus tours.

 

[GetawaysRus]

If you are concerned about blood clots, another simple precaution is to wear support hose. Look for TED hose - you should be able to find these at a local drugstore. They come in small, medium, and large sizes.

Another good alternative would be Jobst compression stockings. However, Jobst stockings often need to be sized to fit. Jobst stockings come in a variety of different compressions levels.

Get up and walk around the plane occasionally, rather than just staying in your seat.

 

[travelbug]

If you choose to wear support stockings, it is most effective to use the thigh high stockings, not just knee high. These stockings do help to prevent blood clots forming in the legs veins. Much higher incidence of blood clots developing on flights than we realize. Two years ago I had a blood clot form in my leg, which then sent many small clots to my lungs. Very scary.

Marilyn

 

[PigsDad]

another simple precaution is to wear support hose.

I just don't have the legs for them.

Kurt

 

[JLB]

Here's what yo're trying to avoid, deep vein thrombosis:

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/604_vein.html

I read it quickly and didn't notice aspirin.

 

[travelbug]

Great article, Jim. Asprin is a benefit in preventing clotting. What is does is "thins the blood" - the lay person terminology that means it takes longer for the blood to clot.

Marilyn

 

[JLB]

Unfortunately, I'm all too familiar with blood thinning medicine. Not taking it could have been what recently did in our Great Uncle after he had surgery. To Kansas City Chiefs fans, the most notable person to succumb to this was Derrick Thomas, after surviving an auto accident but being laid up in the hospital.

And a tenny little aspirin is part of my supposed-to-be-daily regimen.

I bet there are some blood-thinning drugs designed for travelers, for those who like to take drugs for every possibility in life.

Some do, some don't.

 

[GetawaysRus]

I bet there are some blood-thinning drugs designed for travelers, for those who like to take drugs for every possibility in life.

QUOTE]

Aspirin is over-the-counter and quite potent as an anti-platelet agent to suppress blood clotting even at low doses.

There are numerous drugs to prevent clotting, but the majority are by prescription only. If you watch the same TV commercials that I do, you've seen lots of ads for Plavix lately. Plavix (and its cousin Aggrenox) are prescription drugs. Warfarin (brand name: Coumadin) is by prescription. Heparin is prescription, and given by injection.

Bottom line: I'd stick with Aspirin along with TED hose. I'm a guy, and I just hate the way those TED hose feel, but I wear them religiously on long flights.

 

[BevL]

Support hose to the thigh? No offence, I'll take my chances with a stroke or heart attack!!

Seriously, my hubby has some health issues and our doctor suggested a dose of aspirin for a few days before a long flight.

 

[djs]

Personally, I don't think stockings are for me.....though my next flight is to San Francisco, so maybe no one will bat an eye

 

[travelbug]

Support stockings are really gross to wear. But they sure beat the alternative!!! Blood clots took two years of recovery and significant long term effects on my health.

Hope