What causes feet to swell during air travel and why do some people swell more?
Posted February 26, 2009 
Comments(1)
Comments(1) 
What should be done after the flight to help the swelling to go away? Can/should it last a couple of days after the air travel?
By: Robert S
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Tags: Air Travel, Couple Of Days, Feet, PeopleBy: Robert S
About the Author:
Blood and extra cellular fluid often pool in the feet and legs, causing them to swell, it is called edema. As an artery becomes a capillary the blood pressure is greater than the extra cellular fluid pressure, so some of the fluids from the blood flows out of the blood. At the end of the capillary much of that fluid flows back into the blood due to osmotic forces and the lower pressure in the veins. Often in the extremities the flow of fluid back into the blood is dependent upon muscle contraction, and when you just sit down for hours there is no muscle contraction in your feet and legs, causing edema in some people, particularly the elderly and diabetics and anyone with decreased lymph flow. The fact that airplane cabins are at lower pressure than sea level also contributes. I would recommend getting up and walking around at least once an hour if this is a problem for you. It can last a couple of days after the air travel, particularly if you are in a wheel chair or have landed at a city in the mountains.