Healthy Habits: Circulation Tips for Travelers

Traveling with kids, or while pregnant is never easy! Believe it or not, there is even more to worry about during your family trip. Prolonged sitting on long flights and car rides can lead to the development of blood clots in the lower legs, which cause spider and varicose veins. There are easy traveler tips to prevent blood clots, and there are also fast, non-invasive treatments available to get rid of pesky veins fast (even on vacation)! 

Dr. Luis Navarro—Circulatory Expert and Director of The Vein Treatment Center offers easy and effective ways to optimize blood circulation, and prevent health scares while traveling. 

Dr. Luis Navarro’s Circulation Tips for Travelers:

• Stay Active: During a flight, walk around every hour to promote circulation.  If driving long distance, be sure to make stops to stretch out along the way
• Rotate and Flex: Rotate your ankles and feet whenever possible, and  flex your toes to promote leg vein circulation
• Elevate Your Feet:  Raise your feet 6 to 12 inches above your heart whenever possible to assist circulation.
• Avoid High Salt Foods: Unhealthy foods packed with salt can cause constipation, which puts pressure on the venous system
• Wear Compression Stockings: Compression stockings act like an added layer of muscle, aiding the performance of the "second heart" and venous circulation.
• Take Horse Chestnut Seed Extract: This can relieve any heaviness in the legs that is related to poor circulation.
• Take Advantage of Layovers: Breaking up flight time gives you the chance to walk around more, and puts you at a lower risk for blood clots.
• Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol is dehydrating, which is bad for circulation. Try to avoid it a few days before flying.
• Avoid Caffeine: Avoid caffeinated beverages like soda and coffee before flying as well. Caffeine is also a dehydrating substance.
• Take Vitamin C and E: Both of these vitamins promote better circulation.

Luis Navarro, M.D. Diplomate: American Board of Phlebology

Dr. Luis Navarro, Director of The Vein Treatment Center in New York, NY, and one of the most well-respected and established physicians in the country, has devoted his life's work to the treatment of venous disorders (varicose and spider veins). He founded the Vein Treatment Center in 1982, where he currently holds his practice.  He developed a novel painless approach to treating varicose veins called Modern Sclerotherapy that merges minimally noninvasive techniques to achieve the maximum cosmetic results. Dr. Navarro's facility, the Vein Treatment Center, remains one of first and only facilities exclusively devoted to the treatment of venous disorders.

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