Tight Jeans On Long Road Trips Can Be Life Threatening: We Explain
When we think about long drives, we usually prepare by packing snacks and creating a playlist that we want to enjoy on the road. However, one important aspect that many of us overlook is clothing. We often fail to give enough importance to wearing comfortable clothes during long journeys. While they may not look significant, the clothes we wear play a crucial role in such trips. Here is a case of a 30-year-old businessman who learned the importance of comfortable clothing the hard way. He was hospitalised and even had a near-death experience simply because he did not wear comfortable clothes.
Saurabh Sharma, a businessman, went on a road trip in his luxury car from Delhi to Rishikesh and returned without any immediate issues. However, after the trip, he developed a blood clot in the vein of his leg, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Part of this clot travelled through his bloodstream to his lungs, reducing blood flow and causing a pulmonary embolism. This blockage affected the functioning of vital organs such as the heart and brain.
Completely unaware of what was happening to his body, Saurabh began experiencing difficulty in breathing and soon lost consciousness. He was found unconscious on the staircase of his office by a colleague and was immediately shifted to a hospital.
Medical examination revealed that his blood pressure and pulse rate had dropped to such dangerously low levels that medical instruments were unable to record them. Doctors initially suspected cardiac arrest and immediately began CPR.
After nearly 45 minutes, they were able to revive him. While continuing CPR, doctors conducted an echocardiogram. Since Saurabh had no prior history of heart problems, further investigation revealed that deep vein thrombosis in his leg was the root cause of the entire incident.
Dr. Naveen Bhamri, Director and Head of Cardiology at Max Super Specialty Hospital, explained, “Saurabh’s prolonged low blood pressure damaged his kidneys, and he required 24-hour dialysis. We realised that his tight jeans and the prolonged stationary position of his legs while driving likely caused the blood clot.”
A detailed investigation revealed that Saurabh was driving an automatic car while wearing tight jeans. Since it was an automatic vehicle, his left leg remained idle throughout the journey. Keeping the leg in the same position for several hours, combined with tight clothing, contributed to the formation of the blood clot.
This is why it is recommended to take breaks every couple of hours or after every few hundred kilometres during a road trip. Drinking plenty of water helps keep the body hydrated and reduces the risk of such complications.
With wide and highspeed highways and expressways and automatic cars gaining popularity in the market, many people try to reach their destinations with minimum number of breaks as they plan to spend more time at the destination by reaching early than spending time on the road. This is not a good attitude.
Regular breaks also help maintain focus on the road and reduce fatigue, which is common during long drives. Most importantly, always choose loose and comfortable clothing when travelling long distances.