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Swelling of feet, legs and fingers during airplane flights
Sent to Health Experts July 10 11:45 AM

I just returned from NYCity to LA. Why do my feet swell on a long distance airline flight? There is more swelling on my left foot. It has not always been this way. The swelling has only recently begun. I am supposedly in good health, fly a lot, age 58, female, no health problems that I know of. Is this serious or just inconvenient? I do not walk around the flight, I just sit. Do I need to see a doctor about it or not. Thanks. Eb white

 

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Female , Age: 58

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nothing. 1st time asking the question

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
July 10 11:59 AM (14 minutes and 26 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

You can get the kind of swelling if you sit or stand long time . To prevent this you should change your positions frequenly during travel. You should walk around the flight. This swelling is called Orthostatic Edema. Treatment is cutting salt intake , elevate the legs and wearing support stockins.

Please click the green accept button if my answer is helpful to you. A positive feedback rating and a bonus would be encouraging. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask. Take care , Dr.Yetimyan.

V. Yetimyan M.D. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2816 Health Accepts
Physician for 20 years with experience in hospital patient care.
Reply
July 10 2:09 PM (2 hours and 9 minutes and 52 seconds later)
         
Reply to V. Yetimyan   M.D.'s Post: This is a 1st time experience for me (with swelling). I travel a lot. This problem just now shows up (7/9/06), so i am concerned enough about this condition to try this internet method of getting a physician's educated opinion, quickly. Your answer was NOT as thorough as I was hoping for. If you read my question, there were several parts to my question and MY answers to the problem were the same as yours. KEY QUESTIONS UNANSWERED ARE - can this be serious and should i be concerned enough about it to go and physically see a doctor. OR is a doctor who i go to see going to tell me to do the same treatment as you have told me to do and nothing else to worry about. Am I overly concerned about a common result of too much flying??? EB White
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 10 2:26 PM (17 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

This is not serious , you can handle it the way i told you in my previous post. However the biggest danger is to develop blood clots in the legs during this frequent travel in the planes. The blood clot from the leg can travel to the lung and kill a person. I suggest to you to see a doctor to be put on an appropriate blood thinner such as taking a baby Aspirin a day.

Please click the green accept button if my answer is helpful to you. A positive feedback rating and a bonus would be encouraging. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask. Take care , Dr.Yetimyan.

V. Yetimyan M.D. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2816 Health Accepts
Physician for 20 years with experience in hospital patient care.
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