BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhuanet) -- A review of past research confirm that a long-distance travel could significantly increase the risk for developing blood clots in people's legs, according to media reports Tuesday.

    The researchers analyzed 14 previous studies and found out that the risk grows with the length of the trip.

    The risk climbed along with the duration of the trip -- rising 18 percent for every two hours of any type of travel, and by 26 percent for every two hours of air travel.

    But while the current findings confirm the travel-VTE link, lead researcher Dr. Divay Chandra of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston said "there is no reason for panic" because the absolute risk to any one traveler is still low.

    Still, Chandra said, "people who travel long distances should be aware of the risk of blood clots and learn to recognize the symptoms."

    The clotting is also known as deep vein thrombosis. Symptoms include swelling, pain and redness in the leg.

    To help reduce the risk, experts generally recommend that long-distance travelers periodically move around and stretch their legs, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

    (Agencies)