Airplanes travel is convenient, fast and very safe. However, during a flight, there are some minor side effects such as ear discomfort, jet lag and dehydration. It can also increase the risk of high blood pressure or deep vein thrombosis in some people.
Aviation accident statistics show that flying is much safer than driving. In 2023, there were no fatalities among the 37 million commercial airline flights. But concerns are greater inside the cabin, where cabin pressure, temperature, oxygen fluctuations, and humidity levels lower than sea level can have adverse effects on health. Being in an air-conditioned room with hundreds of other people and traveling across time zones on long-haul flights can also have an impact on health.
For some people, flying may cause minor effects on the body, such as ear discomfort, jet lag, and dehydration. But for some people, it may increase the risk of high blood pressure or cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT ). Although the symptoms are not serious at first, if left untreated, http://ufabet999.app it can lead to pulmonary embolism and death.
Preparing for boarding
Preparation for air travel may depend on the duration of the trip and individual health conditions, as follows:
- Before traveling, you should get enough rest.
- Avoid large meals before traveling to prevent stomach upset.
- People with chronic diseases should consult a doctor before traveling and carry more than the amount of medication needed in case of emergency.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing while traveling.
- Drink plenty of fluids, sipping frequently, and avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, or sleeping pills.
- Store your luggage over your head to provide more leg room.
- When traveling, if it is a long distance, get up and walk around, stretch your legs.
- Change your sleep routine before your flight to reduce your risk of jet lag.
- Wear your seatbelt at all times while sitting in your seat and listen carefully to the instructions of the flight attendants.
Diseases to watch out for and symptoms of diseases that are prohibited on airplanes
Patients or people with health problems should study the travel restrictions of each airline before deciding to use the service, as each airline has different restrictions. Most recommend that patients with health problems see a doctor before traveling to reduce the risk and should have personal medication in their carry-on baggage. For people who are not allowed to board the plane, they are as follows:
- Newborn babies under 7 days old due to changes in air pressure in the aircraft
- Premature babies need time to develop their lungs.
- Women who are more than 36 weeks pregnant
- Patients with uncontrolled symptoms, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure or chronic heart failure
- Patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery or heart bypass surgery should not travel within 2 weeks after surgery.
- Patients with abnormal heart valves and shortness of breath
- Patients with lung disease requiring ventilators
- Patients with muscle weakness who are unable to breathe on their own
- Patients with pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis who are in the infectious stage
- Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy
- Patients who have recently had an accident and suffered a brain injury within the last 15 days.
- People who have had a cerebral angiography scan within 3 days.
- Psychiatric patients whose symptoms are still not stable
- People who had a colonoscopy within 24 hours
- Patients with sinusitis or acute otitis media
- Terminally ill patients whose conditions may deteriorate while traveling
Potential health effects of flying
Airplanes are confined spaces where many people have to be in close contact with each other. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommends that people with acute or infectious diseases such as the flu and COVID-19 should postpone their travel, there are still people who violate this rule. Traveling on an airplane can put you at risk of contracting the virus through direct contact, such as touching the same surface as someone with an acute infection. And the air pressure in the cabin can cause dry eyes or worsen some chronic conditions, including increased blood pressure that can affect the heart and lungs.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms on airplanes include:
- faint
- Nausea, vomiting
- Respiratory symptoms
- Seizures
- Heart problems
Emergencies that commonly occur during air travel
- Human actions
- Wrong decisions, lack of knowledge about the situation
- Weather conditions such as rain, fog, storms
- Aircraft lifespan
- Engine malfunction