Air travel health tips:

With summer’s approach come plans for travel, including flying long distances. But the prospect of a long flight often raises health concerns. Especially in passengers who are older or have certain conditions, air travel and the related stress can have an impact on health. Here are a few trouble areas and some precautions you can take.

1.Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Not all experts agree on an association between DVT (blood clots in the legs) and air travel. Symptoms may not occur for several days, so it’s difficult to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. If there is one, it’s likely due to prolonged inactivity. Limited airline space can discourage moving about. Dry cabin air may also increase the risk of DVT.
2.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.
3.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.
4.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.

Hello

When traveling by plane, there is the potential of getting sick due to airborne illnesses or other ailments that can leave you feeling fatigued. Make air travel a more enjoyable experience by taking these health precautions during, as well as prior to, your flight. Bon voyage!

1. Boost your immune system with doses of echinacea and vitamin C three days before your trip. There are more germs circulating in the air on planes than you can shake a stick at. Don't ruin your trip by getting sick.

2. Take an acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) tablet the day before a long flight, the day of the flight, and for three days afterward. Have you heard of deep-vein thrombosis, also known as "economy-class syndrome"? When you sit without moving around for long hours, the blood pools in the legs. That could lead to a blood clot, and if that blood clot travels to your lungs or another important organ, it could be deadly. ASA, found in products like Aspirin, thins the blood, making clots less likely.

3. Pack three chamomile tea bags in your carry-on bag. When the airline attendant comes around with drinks, ask for a cup of hot water and dunk the tea bag. The herbal tea will soothe your travel jitters and relax you enough so you can get some sleep on the plane, arriving refreshed.

4. Avoid sitting with your legs crossed. Instead, prop your feet on some carry-on luggage to make yourself more comfortable.

5. Bring a bottle of water and a bag of healthy snacks in your carry-on bag even for what should be a short flight. Not only do fewer airlines serve food these days, but unexpected delays can send your blood sugar plummeting.

6. Keep your nasal passages and ears clear by taking a decongestant as directed 24 hours before your flight. This will shrink the membranes in your sinuses and ears.

7. Chew gum, swallow vigorously, or yawn widely when the plane is taking off or landing. This will equalize the pressure in your middle ear.

8. Skip the alcohol during the flight. The air in the plane is dry enough; alcohol just dehydrates you even more. The same goes for caffeinated drinks.


9. Avoid removing your shoes during the flight. You'll end up with swollen feet due to the low air pressure in the cabin, and your shoes will be uncomfortable when you put them back on.

10. Dress in layers. Planes are often too hot or too cold. Stay in control of your own temperature by having layers to add or subtract.

Prolonged inactivity slows circulation, allowing small clots to form in the legs and feet. The body’s own clot busters kick in for most people, but in people with certain risk factors, the clots can get big enough to block a vein. These include cancer, heart disease, infection, pregnancy, and obesity, as well as recent injury or surgery. Smoking also raises the risk, as do birth control pills, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and postmenopausal hormones.

DVT in the calf aches and gets worse over several days. The pain may be accompanied by warmth and swelling in the area around or below the clot. A clot in the thigh or at the juncture of the thigh and abdomen causes similar symptoms. The skin may redden or turn bluish. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor; be sure to mention that you’ve recently traveled on a plane.

The biggest danger of DVT is that a clot will break free and lodge in one of the pulmonary arteries supplying blood to the lungs. This potentially fatal condition is called pulmonary embolism. Symptoms include rapid breathing, pain when breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain that travels up to the shoulder, fever, and fainting. It is a medical emergency. Air travelers can do several things to reduce their risk:

* If you’re not at risk for bleeding and can tolerate aspirin, take a baby aspirin (81 milligrams) one-half hour before takeoff.
* Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes.
* Avoid crossing your legs while seated.
* Get up from your seat and walk up and down the aisle at least once an hour. If you’re pregnant, request an aisle seat so that you can get up easily.
* Drink at least 8 ounces of water every hour or two and avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and salty foods.
* Keep the space under the seat in front of you empty so you can exercise your feet and ankles occasionally.
* If you have any risk factors for deep-vein blood clots, consult your clinician. She or he may suggest support socks or stockings.

Most people don't have any problems when they fly, but it's possible to make airplane travel safer and more comfortable. Here are some tips:

* Carry enough of all of your medicines in your carry-on luggage. Ask your doctor whether you should change your dosages if your eating and sleeping times will change at your destination. Bring enough medicine to last your whole trip. Take extra medicine with you in case your return trip is delayed.

* If you have diabetes or epilepsy, carry a notification and identification card (such as the "Diabetes Alert Card" from the American Diabetes Association). Have the name and phone number of your doctor with you in case of an emergency. Remember to bring along the names and dosages of all of your medicines.

* The air in airplanes is dry, so drink nonalcoholic, decaffeinated beverages and water to avoid becoming dehydrate.

During the holidays or peak travel days during the year people can get sick from flying. Airborne illnesses and various other fatiguing ailments can spread from other passengers on planes. Sometimes the altitude can make you sick as well. Taking the proper precautions before flying can help you stay healthy while traveling.

Eating Well Pre-flight
If your diet is unhealthy or you aren't properly nourished prior to flying, you may get airsick or even become fatigued during your flight. You should always have a solid healthy meal before stepping onto a plane. Greasy foods can leave you feeling queasy and even tired after an extended flight. Fruits, vegetables and protein-rich meats will help keep you energized through long flights.

Pack A Mask
If you are ill or are plan to travel during cold and flu season, you may want to pack a mask in your carry-on bag. There may be an airborne cold going around on the plane and you'll want to be prepared for it. If you notice excessive coughing close to you, you can also change your seat to avoid getting sick.

Zinc and Vitamin C Tablets
Zinc and Vitamin C are good to have around if you are feeling ill and want to feel better quicker than just braving the symptoms. Taking vitamin C or zinc in the days leading up to your flight is a good way to build up your immunity to whatever cold germs may be flying around during the flight.

Other Ways to Stay Healthy
Wash your hands after using the restroom and before eating. Proper sanitation on airplanes can reduce the risk of you leaving the plane with an illness. Also, avoid touching your face too much during the flight. Germs are capable of entering the body through the nose, eyes and mouth. Touching your face will increase the chances of exposure to germ-borne illnesses.

Hi

Caused due to long periods of inactivity of legs, air travel thrombosis causes swelling in the legs and foot and is common during long flights. Although a little swelling around ankles and legs is considered normal, longer periods spent seated with the feet on the floor leads to undue accumulation of blood in the veins of the leg and its movement in surrounding soft tissues causing them to swell.

A more severe condition arises when excessive swelling persists for several hours. This may happen due to formation of blood clots in the veins of the leg. Called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it may occur in either leg and is accompanied by redness, tenderness, swelling and pain over the calf. If you observe any of these symptoms, please call for immediate medical attention.

Thanks