Health risks of long-distance travel

Medical experts are warning about the increased risk of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), during long-duration travel by plane, bus, car, or train. Prolonged inactivity can slow blood circulation in the leg veins, potentially leading to clots that may cause life-threatening pulmonary embolisms if they reach the lungs.

Health professionals, including specialists from Memorial Bodrum Hospital and Trakya University, note that traveling for more than four hours is often cited as a threshold for increased risk. Specific precautions and risk factors have been identified. For air travel, specialists advise passengers to avoid removing shoes, to wear comfortable, non-tight footwear, and to move regularly in the aisle. Dehydration, particularly during summer travel, is noted as a factor that can exacerbate these risks.

Certain populations are at higher risk, including older individuals, those with obesity, pregnant women, people with active cancer, heart disease, or those with a history of clots or recent surgeries. Symptoms to monitor include leg swelling, pain, tenderness, redness, or heat, as well as more severe signs such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or coughing up blood, which require immediate medical attention.