Air Travel Advice

Article courtesy of professional insurance brokers J W Seagon (Kenya), Bupa International (UK) and http://www.eadestination.com

Whether you are going on a business trip or off on holiday, there are a number of potential health problems to look out for when flying. Even before you step on a plane your health may be put to the test.  Packing, travelling to the airport, long queues at the check-in desk and delays can raise your heart rate and stress levels.

So how can you have a stress-free flight?

Allow plenty of time to get to the airport and plan your trip in advance. Plus, keep the following tips in mind for a healthy flight and you should feel fresh and ready to go when you reach your destination!

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  Deep vein thrombosis is when a blood clot forms in one of your veins, usually in your leg.  Flying may increase your risk of DVT by slowing blood flow and causing it to collect in your legs. However, it’s not limited to flying - anyone who sits in the same position for a long period of time can develop DVT.  You can reduce your risk by wearing compression stockings (flight socks) on the plane, which help by applying gentle pressure to your legs and improving blood flow.  They can help if you are traveling for at least six hours and are over 40, very overweight, pregnant or have previously had a blood clot.  Walking around the cabin may also help.
• Cabin air quality.   It may surprise you to know that you’re no more likely to catch an infection when flying compared with any other environment.  The air in the cabin passes through filters that trap bacteria and viruses - similar to the filters used in operating theatres to keep the air clean.  If you’re feeling under the weather after your flight, the air in the cabin isn’t to blame.  It’s probably because you have caught a virus or infection from sitting close to people who are ill.  And if you are feeling unwell, the best way to prevent infections from spreading is to delay your journey until you have recovered.
• Ear problems.  As the plane climbs the pressure in the cabin decreases causing air to escape from your middle ear and sinuses.  When the plane descends, air must flow back into your ear to equalise the pressure differences - if it does not you will feel pain! Often the best ways to avoid this are simply chewing gum or yawning!
• Dry skin and eyes.  Low humidity in the aircraft cabin can lead to dry skin and eyes. Applying moisturiser and wearing glasses instead of contact lenses should help to prevent dryness. Also, try to limit tea, coffee and alcohol on board as these can lead to dehydration too.
• Jetlag.  Flying across several different time zones, your body’s normal circadian rhythms can become out of sync.  It can take your body several days to adjust to the new rhythm of daylight and darkness - known as jet lag.  To try and ease this, if you are flying east, sleep on the plane if it’s nighttime at your destination and don’t sleep during the day when you arrive.  If you’re going west, try to stay awake for as long as possible.
• Flying with children.  It is fine to take babies on flights when they are one or two weeks old.  Although flying shouldn’t pose any particular health risks to youngsters, the baby may have difficulty equalising pressure.  Breast or bottle feeding your baby, or giving your child a drink during take off and landing, can help.
• Travel and motion sickness.  Travel sickness isn’t only restricted to car and sea travel, you can also get it on train journeys and air travel as well as on fairground rides and swings.  Symptoms include: feeling nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, sweating, looking pale, rapid breathing and drowsiness.  The symptoms get better as the motion stops or as you adapt to it on long flights and gradually recover.