The thought of traveling by fast means, such as an airplane, in a crowded space with little oxygen, raises a mixture of unsettling feelings. Also, just imagining someone falling ill on the plane sends panic into your heart.
But reality indicates that there is no need to worry, as it turns out that there is an entire specialty in preventive health care called aerospace medicine, which focuses on treating pilots, aircraft teams, and astronauts.
“We’re trying to keep people healthy in an unhealthy environment,” Dr. Lee Speicher, an internist who specializes in aerospace medicine in Florida and president of the Civil Aviation Medical Association, told the New York Times.
Follow these healthy steps every step of your travel to enjoy a safe trip:
When booking the flight
Thinking about a healthy journey starts from the moment you book your trip. “If you suffer from motion sickness a lot, book a seat on the wing, as it is the most stable place,” advises a colleague at the Society for Aerospace Medicine, Dr. Paulo Alves.
Patients suffering from ear or sinus infections are advised to reconsider their trip. “When you’re on an airplane, congestion can make adjusting to changing air pressure difficult, which can lead to pain, bleeding, and even a ruptured eardrum,” he said.
“Untreated tooth pain and delayed root canals can be similarly painful during flights,” said Dr. Megan Hatfield, an endodontist in Summit, New Jersey, USA. She advised patients to see their doctor if they notice any pain or swelling before traveling.
Dr. Alves believes that the first advice for travelers is that if you do not feel in good health in general, avoid flying or consult your doctor first. Many of the heart attacks we see happen while flying, the person having them says after they happen: “You know what? I didn’t feel well before I got on the plane.”
When you pack your bags
Dr. Alves advises patients to carry all of their medications in their carry-on bag, and not to put them in a carry-on bag.
“People forget to do this, and then they have a problem like a respiratory attack or an allergic reaction. And guess what? Their medication is locked in the cargo hold downstairs,” he said.
Doctors also recommend that you bring your own water bottle on the plane, not only is it important to drink adequate amounts of water, but if there are disturbances on the flight, flight attendants must remain seated, so you may feel thirsty for a long time before they bring water.
“You can also bring peppermint or ginger tea bags, which can soothe your stomach. If you have stomach problems, ask the flight attendant for some hot water,” Dr. Speicher said.
When you arrive at the airport
“Soft drinks should be avoided with meals for at least an hour before boarding the plane,” Dr. Alves said. He explained that eating a large meal increases the chance of swallowing air, and that all this gas will expand at high altitudes. This can be painful and sometimes very bad. He added that the pain is so severe that people think they have appendicitis.
“Before boarding, take a second to review a list of everything you need for the flight, including snacks and over-the-counter medications,” Dr. Speicher said.
During the flight
You should move as much as possible during flights to prevent deep vein thrombosis, especially if the flight is long. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms within large deep veins in the body, usually in the leg.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States of America indicates the importance of getting up at least every two hours. “You should also stretch and exercise your feet and ankles while sitting,” Dr. Speicher said.
You should know that tap water on the plane is not suitable for drinking. So, if you want to brush your teeth in the airplane bathroom, use bottled water instead of tap water.
The only health risk you don’t need to be afraid of these days is if a smoker sits next to you, because smoking is prohibited on board the plane.