Combating Problems with Flying

Dwayne Horner | March 30, 2009 5:15 PM

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Ever felt like you were dying to get off an airplane? For some people, it's not just an expression.

After long plane rides, a condition called “economy-class syndrome” or “coach-class syndrome” can set in. This occurs when passengers cannot move or extend their legs. Combined with factors like low cabin pressure and dehydration, people can develop fatal blood clots.

But a story in today's USA Today caught my attention entitled Statin Crestor lowers risk of deep-vein clots without bleeding. It looks like they have finally found a way to combat this condition:

"Researchers have shown for the first time that a potent cholesterol-lowering drug, Crestor, reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis, or "economy-class syndrome," caused by potentially lethal blood clots that start in the veins and migrate to the lungs,sometimes after long flights."

...If you're not interested in health care, this may seem like trivial news. But keep in mind, about 100,000 people die from this condition each year...