People who take air flights when they travel on holidays and vacations could be at risk of developing a variety of medical problems that can range from minor to severe, such as deep vein thrombosis, which can be life threatening.
The following information covers a number of common in-flight medical symptoms and travel tips that should help you have a safer and more enjoyable flight.
Common in-flight symptoms you may experience are headaches, ear-popping, nasal congestion, dehydration, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite (could be related to the in-flight food), light-headedness, problems with coordination, inability to concentrate, confusion, anxiety, irritability, sweating, fatigue, swollen lower legs and feet, as well as motion sickness. These symptoms may also be associated with jet lag. In addition, jet lag can affect your sense of orientation in terms of time and place. In addition, your sense of well-being can also be disrupted.
Most medical symptoms can be reduced or eliminated by doing a few simple things.
By drinking a glass or two of water, juice, or soda, every half hour or so, you can help prevent dehydration and dryness in the throat, nose and eyes. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided or consumed in moderation as they can cause dehydration as well as disrupt sleep patterns. Chewing gum can help prevent your ears from popping and getting plugged. Using an inflatable neck pillow can prevent a sore and stiff neck. Eye shades can make it easier to sleep on a long air flight and ear plugs can reduce the constant cabin noise. Ask a flight attendant for a blanket to keep you warm when you fly. It is also a good idea to turn off the overhead air nozzle above your seat as the cool air blowing down on top of you could be a bit chilly.
Most people's bodies tend to swell when they fly, so wearing loose clothing may help to relieve the swelling. It will also add to your in flight comfort. If you can, avoid salty foods. Excess salt in your body contributes to water retention which can also cause your body to swell when you fly.
Jet lag can also be a major problem when you fly. You may be able to lessen the effects of jet lag by adjusting your sleeping and eating patterns a few days before your flight to better reflect the time zone when you will arrive at your destination. This will take some discipline but it is well worth trying, as it can really make a difference.
There are some other things that you can do to lessen the effects of jet lag. If possible, try and catch a flight that arrives at your holiday destination in the daylight hours. As soon as you can, fit into this new time zone and try not to go to bed. If you are feeling a bit tired and wish to take a short snooze, then do it in a well-lit place. At night, sleep in a totally dark room. The darkness will help prepare your brain for sleep. Try to avoid watching T.V., or using a computer as their screens are bright and can easily over-stimulate your brain. It is not a good idea to consume alcohol or any drinks or foods that contain caffeine such as soda, coffee, and chocolate, until your symptoms of jet lag wear off, as alcohol and caffeine can disrupt your sleep.
Generally speaking, most travelers are not aware that they will only begin to experience the symptoms of jet lag as they leave their plane. That is when the passengers' biological clocks start to make internal adjustments inside their bodies to more closely coincide with the local time zone at their holiday destination. When commercial airline travelers cross one, or even two time zones, they can usually adjust quite quickly. However, if they are experiencing poor health, or are not feeling well just before they fly, then jet lag can compound these problems.
What is DVT, or deep vein thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis is caused by a blood clot that starts forming in the lower leg. If this blood clot breaks off, it can then travel to the lungs which can be fatal. This is a very real, life threatening, medical emergency.
Usual symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are pain, redness, and swelling in the leg. Deep vein thrombosis always has been a major health risk for travelers, particularly when they fly. Research shows that airline passengers can be at three times the risk of getting this serious life-threatening condition compared to the general population.
Here are some things that you can do to reduce the odds of developing this deadly condition. You should avoid crossing your legs as this cuts off the circulation in them and dramatically raises the risk of DVT. You can increase your circulation when you wear loose fitting clothing and avoid tight fitting socks or stockings Be sure to change your sitting position frequently, move your legs every so often when in the sitting position, and get up and walk back and forth down the aisle. Try and sit in an aisle seat so you can get up frequently and walk around without disturbing your fellow passengers. This will help with the circulation in your legs and reduce the odds that you will develop deep-vein thrombosis.
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