Minor Medical Problems During Airline Flights

Common Health Issues When Flying in an Airplane

Mar 15, 2009

Many travellers are prone to minor medical problems when flying. The majority of these are caused by air pressure changes, air quality, dehydration, or immobility.

With the ease of air travel today, it is easy to forget that flying essentially flings your body around the globe at high speed and altitude, and across time zones. Therefore it is hardly surprising that many people’s bodies exhibit minor forms of discomfort.

Although these are far from life-threatening, they can upset the start or end of a holiday or business trip. Here are the most common minor medical problems associated with flying, and hints on what to do about them.

Air Pressure Changes in an Airliner

When at altitude within an aircraft, cabin pressure is less than normal outside air pressure. This causes air in the body’s cavities to expand slightly. It most commonly occurs in the ears and sinuses, which may lead to slight earache. If a traveller is suffering from tooth decay, small cavities may exist with the teeth which can result in severe pain.

To relieve pain of this type, it is a good idea to take paracetamol before and during the flight as a painkiller. And don’t worry, the pain is likely to disappear as soon as the airliner lands.

Air Quality During the Flight

Air quality within aircraft cabins can be rather poor, since the air conditioning frequently recycles the air inside the cabin. If filters are not entirely effective, as is sometimes the case, bacteria can spread as people cough and sneeze within the cabin. This means that airline passengers tend to pick up coughs and colds during flights.

Again, symptoms can be relieved with paracetamol, or any other over-the-counter cold relieving remedies

Dehydration When Flying

A common problem of all flights is dehydration. The air in airliner cabins is deliberately kept dry for a number of reasons, many of them essential to safe conduct of the flight. But this means that travelers may suffer from dryness of the mucus of the mouth and nose.

To prevent dehydration, it is good to drink water as regularly as possible throughout the flight. Travelers should carry water on to the flight, buying it from airport shops if taking it through customs is forbidden, as it is now in many countries.

For a long flight, at least two litres is recommended. Dry skin is a further side effect of this dehydration, so flying with a good moisturizer, which is re-applied regularly, means one can arrive looking refreshed rather than drained.

The Problem of Immobility During Flights

Extended periods of immobility can lead to swollen feet, aching joints and muscles, and stomach pain from indigestion. In extreme cases it can also cause Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT. The best remedy to these problems is simply to keep moving throughout the flight, so travelers should get up and walk around the cabin as regularly and as often as possible.

Source

The copyright of the article Minor Medical Problems During Airline Flights in Commercial Aviation is owned by Helen Krasner. Permission to republish Minor Medical Problems During Airline Flights in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.