Stay Healthy In The Air
December 21, 2008 by rainier
Flying is the safest form of transportation, and the vast majority of air travellers reach their destinations comfortably and with no health issues whatsoever, but air travel does present a unique environment that can cause certain stresses to passengers. Check out these tips and stay healthy and comfortable on your flight.
Quick tips for healthy air travel.
Get some rest before you fly – in the days before your departure, be sure to get plenty of sleep. No matter how comfy your seat is, it can be hard to get to sleep on airplanes and your own bed will provide a more restful sleep.
Drink plenty of water and juice – the airplane environment is dry. Humidity levels on the plane can drop below 10 per cent and cause ailments such as dry skin or dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine, which just dry you out further.
Move around the cabin – maintaining good blood circulation during air travel can help avoid discomfort and rare, yet potentially serious, diseases such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). This circulatory disorder can be life-threatening, so it’s worth learning about. Getting up and walking when the fasten seatbelts sign goes off helps prevent DVT.
Prevent motion sickness – if you’re prone to car sickness, consider medication for your flight and don’t do a lot of reading. Consult your doctor prior to taking anything new. This goes for over-the-counter meds, too. Luckily, there are a lot of options that really do work for air travellers, such as travel sickness wrist bands.
In-Flight Problems
Deep-Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolus and Air Flights
There have been individual case reports of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and deaths from pulmonary emboli following airflights but the problem has also been noted following prolonged travel by train or car. Aggravating factors could be pressure from the edge of seats on the back of the leg, dehydration aggravated by caffeine, alcohol and sedation which may encourage immobility.
Suggestions on preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus during air flights:
Be aware predisposing and risk factors
* Predisposing factors for DVT (in addition to the possible effects of prolonged immobility while travelling) are endothelial vascular lesions, hypercoagulabiltity of the blood and thrombophilia (including hereditary forms such as factor V Leiden)
* These factors may specifically include those over 60 years of age, smokers, previous (especially recent) DVT or pulmonary embolus, recent surgery or injury, pregnancy or less than 2 months post-partum, malignancy, cardio-respiratory disease, other chronic illnesses, oestrogen medication (contraceptive and hormone replacement), varicose veins. Symptoms can be delayed for several weeks after the flight. Cases of DVT may have an average of 3 factors.
Advice for those at minimal risk (nil or one predisposing factor)
* While further studies are undertaken preliminary advice for those at low risk could be to exercise the legs when possible, maintain hydration and limit alcohol consumption.
Advice for those at low or moderate risk (e.g. 2 or 3 predisposing factors)
* Exercise in the aircraft cabin wherever possible, maintain hydration and limit alcohol consumption, consider using below knee compression stockings. Aspirin is no longer advised as a preventive measure because evidence that it works is lacking and side-effects such as stomach bleeding are significant.
Advice for those at high-risk (e.g. more than 3 predisposing factors)
* Exercise, compression stockings, maintain hydration and limit alcohol consumption. Possibly consider a subcutaneous injections of Minihep (sodium heparin 5000 IU twice daily) or low molecular weight heparin (e.g. dalteparin 2500 daily or enoxaparin 40mg daily) while at risk (so long as anticoagulation is not contra-indicated).
Reduced oxygen and air pressure.
At cruising altitude, airline cabins have lower-than-normal air pressure and oxygen levels. Blood oxygen saturation during commercial flights can be 5%–10% lower than normal. If you’re in good health, your body can compensate, but if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cardiovascular disease, you may need supplemental oxygen, even if you don’t normally use it. Ask your physician for advice several weeks before your flight.
If you need oxygen, call your airline to find out its policies and the cost. Airlines generally require advance notice, and the FAA doesn’t allow passengers to bring their own oxygen supply on commercial aircraft. Most airlines require a letter on your doctor’s letterhead confirming your need for supplemental oxygen while flying, along with the required oxygen flow rate. You’ll need a copy for every flight segment. Airline charges for oxygen range widely.
Ear pain.
During takeoff and landing, cabin air pressure changes rapidly, disturbing the balance of pressure between the outer ear and the middle ear. Many people feel pain when the higher pressure stretches the eardrum, the membrane separating the outer and middle ears.
The Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, helps equalize the pressure on the eardrum (and causes the welcome pop you feel when the balance is restored). You can help the process by swallowing, chewing gum, yawning, or opening your mouth wide. A trick called the Valsalva maneuver may also work: Close your nose with your thumb and index finger and exhale gently against a closed mouth. Another option is EarPlanes, special earplugs that even out the pressure on the eardrum.
Jet lag.
Crossing time zones often leads to jet lag, which can result in headaches, upset stomach and nausea, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping. To help alleviate it, get plenty of sleep before you begin your trip. Keep well hydrated before, during, and after your flight. Change your wristwatch to the new time. As soon as you arrive at your destination, adjust your sleeping and eating schedule to the new time zone. This can be difficult if you’ve crossed many time zones, but try to force yourself to stay awake until the local bedtime, and get up in the morning when the locals do and get outside in the natural light. If you simply cannot stay awake until evening on the day you arrive, nap for no more than an hour or two. Engaging in social activities can also help your body clock adjust. When trying to stay awake, eat protein and vegetables and avoid starchy foods like pastas, breads, and rice.
