DVT warning for long haul travellers

Australians embarking on a long haul flight have been advised of the dangers of taking sleeping tablets prior to travelling, The Australian has reported.

The New England Journal of Medicine recently highlighted a case in which a 36 year old woman collapsed seven hours into a flight after taking a sleeping tablet and spending most of the flight asleep in one position.

Subsequent tests confirmed that she was suffering from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and she died in hospital a week later.

Dr Deborah Mills, Medical Director of The Travel Doctor in Australia, commented, “Sleeping tablets are not recommended on aircraft, since they tend to immobilise you and increase your risk of thrombosis.”

“DVT is a very rare cause of death in travellers; however, even small clots can damage the lungs permanently and mean you have to take long term anti-clotting drugs, which disrupts your lifestyle and exercise,” she continued.

One-trip Travel Insurance is available from InsureandGo for Australian residents jetting off on a long haul trip.