5 Tips for Preventing Swollen Feet While Traveling

If you travel a lot, and especially if you’re a frequent flyer, you’ve probably experienced the phenomenon that causes your feet and ankles to swell while traveling. This condition is relatively harmless for most individuals, but in some cases, it can be a problem, especially if you are prone to blood clots.

Ryan Golub, DPM, and his team at Arizona Foot Health know the importance of feet that feel good, especially when you’re likely to be on them a lot when traveling. In this blog, Dr. Golub has compiled five of his favorite tips to help you prevent getting swollen feet while on the go.

1. Move about the cabin

Most people experience swollen feet when they’re on an airplane because they’re sitting too long without moving, causing blood to pool in their feet. This condition can lead to swelling of the ankles and feet, also known as gravitational oedema.

One of the best remedies for this issue is to get up and move around every hour or so during a long flight. If you aren’t allowed to walk around, try flexing your feet and ankles while you sit to get the blood flowing.

2. Exercise more often

People who exercise less are usually more affected by gravitational oedema than those who exercise often. In addition, traveling to a new area can often mean lots of walking during sightseeing, which, if you’re not used to it, can cause swelling of your ankles and feet. People who walk and use their bodies more are going to be less likely to experience this problem.

3. Avoid salty foods

If you’re traveling to a place that is known for its incredible cuisine, this might be a difficult one, but you can at least avoid salty foods before and during your air travel. This means staying away from the peanuts and other salty snacks, which can cause you to retain water and increase swelling.

4. Don’t constrict yourself

Try to constrict yourself as little as possible while in the air. This means no tight shoes, no tight-fitting clothes, and no crossing your legs while you’re in your seat. The more you avoid these things, the better your circulation will be and the less likely you’ll be to get swollen feet by the end of the flight.

5. Drink lots of water

We understand the temptation to have a glass of wine on the flight, but it’s important to pair that with a glass of water. Making sure you stay hydrated is the best way to keep your circulation from getting slow. And while it may be easier to load up on water before your flight, make sure you drink enough while you’re in the air, too. After all, it’ll give you a reason to get up from your seat when you need to use the facilities.

Do you have more questions about keeping your feet healthy while traveling? Book an appointment over the phone with Arizona Foot Health today.