Sitting in a window seat of an aeroplane during long distance flights can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), doctors say.

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Sitting in a window seat of an aeroplane during long distance flights can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), doctors say.
A window seat is one of the risk factors for DVT in long distance travellers outlined in new guidelines by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), which say that a person's individual risk factors for blood clots should be taken into account before being offered preventative medicines.
Other risk factors highlighted include being elderly, pregnant or taking oral contraceptives.
The experts also say that so-called '"economy class syndrome" is a myth, as the risk of developing a blood clot during a long haul flight is the same for those travelling in first or business class.
Deep vein thromboses are blood clots which usually develop in the legs. If a clot breaks away, it can cause a potentially fatal blockage in the lungs known as a pulmonary embolism.
The new guidance, published in the journal Chest, says the risk of developing a blood clot on a long distance flight is "very small" for most people, but was increased for flights taking longer than eight or ten hours.
Prolonged sitting, such as in a window seat of a plane, can also increase the risk of DVT, but particularly in people with other risk factors.
Guidelines co-author Dr Mark Crowther from McMaster University, Ontario, said: "Travelling in economy class does not increase your risk for developing a blood clot, even during long-distance travel.
"However, remaining immobile for long periods of time will. Long distance travellers sitting in a window seat tend to have limited mobility, which increases their risk for DVT. This risk increases as other factors are present."
Smoking and obesity were also identified as risk factors, but the doctors said they found no "definitive evidence" that either dehydration or drinking alcohol boosted the risk of DVT.
Medical conditions which can put a person at increased risk include having had recent surgery, a family history of blood clots and having heart disease.
The guidelines recommend that all long-haul passengers should take preventative measures such as getting out of their seats and walking around, and calf muscle stretches.
In addition to this, people at higher risk of DVT should sit in an aisle seat if possible and wear below-knee graduated compression stockings, they advised.
The doctors also advised against the use of aspirin or any other anti-coagulant medication to prevent DVT in long-distance travellers.
Drugs which can prevent blood clotting should only be considered on an individual basis for those at a higher risk of DVT as the "adverse effects may outweigh the risks," they said.
Dr Gordon Guyatt, who chaired the panel of experts which drew up the guidelines, said: "There has been a significant push in health care to administer DVT prevention for every patient, regardless of risk.
"As a result, many patients are receiving unnecessary therapies that provide little benefit and could have adverse effects."
"The decision to administer DVT prevention therapy should be based on the patients' risk and the benefits of prevention or treatment."

White House Plans Nine-City Disability Tour

White House Plans Nine-City Disability Tour
By MICHELLE DIAMENT
February 2, 2012 Text Size A A
Obama administration officials are planning to fan out across the country starting this spring for a series of regional White House conferences to address disability issues.
In a conference call last week with leaders from several disability organizations, White House officials laid out preliminary plans for the events, according to those who participated in the call.
The regional meetings are expected to be held in Columbus, Ohio; Austin, Texas; Los Angeles; Denver; Atlanta; Boston; Minneapolis; Orlando, Fla.; and Kansas City, Mo. starting in mid-March, with some scheduled into the summer.
Exact details on who from the administration will be hosting the conferences and precisely what will be on the agenda were not revealed to advocates.
“I think it’s about showing what they’ve accomplished and letting folks at the regional level know where they can go for resources,” said Chris Thomson, vice president of corporate affairs and general counsel at United Cerebral Palsy, who was on the call. “It’s a little unclear, but I definitely think it’s an opportunity for people to express their concerns.”
A White House spokesman declined to comment on the plans.