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October 22, 2000

Woman Dies of 'Economy Class Syndrome

Updated 7:36 PM ET October 22, 2000 LONDON - A bride-to-be collapsed and died from a condition known as "economy class syndrome" just minutes after getting off a flight from Australia to London, British newspapers reported on Monday. Emma Christofferson, 28, developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot associated with long distance flights, while traveling home to London from the Olympic Games on a Qantas flight via Singapore. The Marks & Spencer sales assistant complained of feeling unwell on the last part of the 12,000-mile (19,310 km) trip and collapsed in the arrival hall at Heathrow airport. She died 10 days ago, before reaching hospital. The condition is frequently caused by long periods spent in cramped conditions. Tightly packed seating -- such as that found in the economy class section of airliners -- can restrict movement and trigger the blood clot illness. A post mortem confirmed the cause of death as DVT, in which a blood clot in the leg works its way into the heart or lungs. Sudden death is a likely outcome. A spokeswoman for Qantas was quoted as saying: "The safety of our passengers is always of paramount importance and we refer to the possible effects of flying in our in-flight magazine." It advises passengers to move their legs and feet for three or four minutes per hour to improve circulation.

Enzymes May Lessen Risks of Blood Clots on Long Flights

Updated 9:02 AM ET March 15, 2001 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- With recent concerns over the possibility of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long flights, travelers may want to take along a bottle of enzymes before heading to the airport. Some doctors recommend aspirin to help travelers thin their blood on long flights. For those who cannot benefit from aspirin or prefer a natural alternative, systemic enzymes have been shown to help the body fight against blood clots. Systemic enzymes, much like ones produced naturally by your body, also improve circulation because they keep the blood from thickening. Improved circulation is especially important for those stuck in cramped seating. DVT is a condition that can cause blood to clot deep in the tissues of the calves or groin. According to health experts, this condition is caused by sitting in cramped conditions for a long period of time. Though it has been dubbed as "the economy class syndrome," this condition can occur even if the person is sitting in first class, or in buses, cars and even at desks. DVT is dangerous because when the blood clot travels to a person's lungs, it can lead to death. Recently, a 28 year-old woman died from DVT inside a London airport after a 20-hour flight from Australia. Health experts say people at risk of developing DVT are pregnant women, the elderly, those who are overweight, and anyone with a predisposition to blood clots. There are no conclusive studies on DVT. Some people who did not fit this profile had suffered from DVT, such as former President Richard Nixon and former Vice President Dan Quayle. Symptoms include aching legs, or the feeling of being on pins and needles, swelling, warmth or skin discoloration. Doctors say the pain is usually located in the calf or behind the knee and may get worse if the person stands or walks. However, they say deep vein thrombosis can also occur without any symptoms. A recent study in the British Medical Journal recommends that during a flight, passengers move around the airplane cabin to stretch or flex the calf muscles while seated, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and avoid alcohol and caffeine. In addition to taking aspirins or enzymes, doctors recommend exercise as preventative measures before long flights. Naturally Vitamins(TM) is a leading manufacturer of nutritional supplements since 1974. Consumers needing additional information on enzymes can contact 1-888-4-VITAMIN. Medical professionals and members of the media needing research information on systemic enzymes may contact Dr. Aftab Ahmed, director of R&D and Business Development at Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc.(TM) by emailing aftabahmed@msn.com. For further information please contact Vanida Somphon, Public Relations Manager, Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc.(TM), (480) 991-0200 x 411. Contact: Vanida Somphon, Public Relations Manager of Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc.(TM), 480-991-0200 ext. 411

From: PRNewswire at 15. March 2001 at 16:20:44