Ras Al Khaimah Hospital doctors have issued a set of health guidelines concurrently with the increase in international travel this summer, urging passengers, especially those with chronic conditions, to consult their doctors before embarking on long trips.
This came after a recent emergency case was recorded in which a patient suffered a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs that can be life-threatening, days after returning from an eight-hour flight from the United Kingdom.
The patient arrived at Ras Al Khaimah Hospital’s emergency department suffering from persistent pain in the right side of his chest, which had lasted for three days.
A pulmonary CT scan confirmed an acute pulmonary embolism, after which the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit, where his condition stabilized and paved the way for his recovery.
However, this case highlights the health risks associated with prolonged immobility during air travel, according to doctors.
The doctors stressed the importance for individuals at risk to take a series of measures, especially before traveling long distances.
These measures include consulting a specialist doctor to ensure they are fit for air travel, especially for those suffering from chronic respiratory diseases and heart diseases, or having a history of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.
They also underlined the importance of constant movement by walking or stretching the legs every hour or two during flights, drinking sufficient amounts of water, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and smoking and wearing compression socks, especially for pregnant women and those suffering from obesity, cancer or previous strokes.
Doctors advised passengers to avoid sudden changes in temperature as those who move between hot and cold environments are at increased risk of dehydration and increased blood viscosity, which can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Those passengers are advised to drink adequate amounts of water and avoid sitting for long periods, they said.
“Pulmonary embolism usually begins as a blood clot in the leg, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, which can move to the lungs and impede blood flow. Long-haul flights increase the risk of these conditions, as passengers remain seated for long periods with limited movement, especially in people who are obese, pregnant, have heart or lung diseases, clotting disorders or have a history of blood clots,” Dr Suha Alsheikh Suleman, Specialist Pulmonologist, said.
Passengers are advised not to hesitate to seek immediate medical attention after a flight if they experience symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, pain, redness or swelling in a leg, dizziness, or fainting, she added.
These symptoms could be signs of a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, obstructing blood flow, she said, adding that if left untreated, it could lead to serious complications or even death.
Suleman explained that if ignored, pulmonary embolism could lead to lung damage, heart strain, or even sudden death, noting that a patient’s life could be saved through early detection and prompt treatment of symptoms.
Patients with known risk factors are advised to undergo appropriate medical consultation before traveling, as a simple test can prevent serious complications during or after the trip, she said.