Only balloons should be bloated not our bodies. Ever wonder when you arrive at a tropical destination how tight your rings and shoes feel?
According to the NetDoctor Medical Team, under normal circumstances, the blood circulates around the body, reaching the legs, the periphery of our circulation via the arteries. In order to get back to the heart having delivered its oxygen to the tissues, the blood is aided by the natural pumping action of the muscles in our legs and the one-way non-return valves that are built into our veins, allowing blood to flow only in the direction of the heart.
When we are in hot or humid climates, our peripheral circulation opens up in order to assist heat loss from the body and control temperature, preventing overheating. We also tend to perspire more heavily for the same reasons and can become salt-depleted as a result. The loss of salt from the circulation can reduce the ability of the veins to draw blood back in from the tissues, leaving the fluid in the limbs causing them to swell.
When we remain seated for long periods of time without exercising the legs or if one becomes relatively immobile for whatever reason, the lack of muscular action may also cause swelling of the legs to occur.
Therefore, a combination of a hot climate and relative inactivity makes the ideal scenario for lower limb swelling.
My personal insider tip while you are in-flight it’s best to drink lots of water, or coconut water and avoid sodium, just say no to the pretzels.
Happy travels!