Seniors at Risk for `Economy Class Syndrome'

Pregnant women and people over age 60 are most likely to be affected by a condition called "Economy Class Syndrome."

According to Dr. Cliff Dacso with Baylor College of Medicine, ECS was first coined in 1988 to describe airline passengers who developed blood clots in their legs after sitting for long periods in cramped seats.

"These blood clots can travel to the lungs or other areas, causing severe organ damage," he says. Symptoms can be anything from pain and swelling in the legs and shortness of breath to heart attacks and strokes.

To prevent ECS:

• Don't cross your legs or sit on the edge of your seat since these positions can reduce blood flow in your legs

• Wear loose clothing

• Don't smoke and avoid caffeine and alcohol

• Prop up your feet, above the waist if possible

• And most importantly, stand, move about and stretch every hour or so.

- From Baylor College of Medicine

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/07_01_00-ecs.html