Health@Heart
Air Travel: Medical Tips
Today's commercial flights are pressurized and generally safe for cardiac, pulmonary or diabetic patients
Changes in barometric pressure, decreased oxygen tension, circadian dysrhythmia, psychologic stress, and effects of air turbulence are the major problems associated with air traveler.
How is comfort preserved during flight?
Modern aircrafts, including supersonics, maintain a cabin pressure that is equivalent to 5000 to 8000 feet above sea level to provide a comfort environment for the people onboard. At such an altitude, free air in the body cavities tends to expand by about 25% and may aggravate certain medical conditions. Most persons with adequately treated chronic illnesses, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions that are not severe, can safely tolerate flying, even international flights. However, those with anemia (low blood count), asthma, emphysema and those already short of breath from other lung problems or heart failure, may not be able to tolerate the high altitudes. It is always prudent to check with your physician if you have any concerns about flying
Why do some people get air sickness?
Some people are born with vestibular-labyrinthine apparatus (inner ear structure that helps us balance ourselves) that is very sensitive to motion, more so than average. Stimulation of this apparatus in these people by acceleration and deceleration, or by upward, downward or swinging movements, cause dizziness or nausea and/or vomiting, which is commonly known as motion sickness, sea-sickness, air-sickness, etc. Oral medications are available for travelers to minimize or prevent motion-, sea-, or air-sickness.
Why do young children cry during take off and landing?
The changes in the altitude and barometric air pressure during take-off and landing cause temporary blockage of the eustachian tube (small channel that connects the nasal passages and the middle ear) and this results in a build-up of pressure that leads to severe pains in the ear, in the head and/or in the face (sinuses). To relieve the pressure (discomfort of blocked ears), one must swallow with the nose closed, or do frequent yawning during take off and landing. Filling the mouth with air and blowing hard, with mouth closed and the nose pinched (Valsalva Maneuver) may help “pop open” the blocked ears. Babies and young children should be made to suck, drink or swallow liquid when the plane starts its ascent or decent. For adults and older children chewing gum or merely swallowing their saliva, during take-off and landing, will help prevent the occurrence of the excruciating earaches and /or headaches.
Are upper respiratory infections aggravated by air flights?
Yes, because upper respiratory tract infection and even allergy may obstruct the eustachian tube, resulting in barotits media (inflammation of middle ear from the increased pressure during flight) or barosinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses in our face around our nose). This is why closed-nose swallowing, frequent yawning, or decongestant nasal spray or antihistamines that reduced clogged nasal passages, are helpful in relieving the increased pressure in our middle ear and sinuses during take off and landing.
Are pregnant women allowed to fly?
It is safe for pregnant women to fly on commercial airlines. However, most airlines do not accept passengers who are more than 35 weeks pregnant for obvious safety reasons. Those concerned should check with their airline or immigration office at the country of destination about entry regulations.
Is it safe for heart or lung patients, or diabetics, to fly?
Today's commercial flights are pressurized and generally safe for cardiac, pulmonary or diabetic patients. Heart patients who are able to climb two flights of stairs (a dozen steps) without chest pains or any difficulty, stable asthmatics or emphysematous patients who can walk a 150-foot distance without breathing problems, controlled diabetics and high blood pressure patients, can fly safely. It is strongly recommended that patients carry with them in person their medications. If in doubt, consult your physician.
Why is alcohol bad during flights?
Prudent, moderate consumption of alcohol is generally tolerated by most people on board. Alcohol, just like smoking, increases body fatigue, hypoxia (lowering the oxygen level in our blood) and dehydration. Fatigue and hypoxia, which naturally occur during long flights, explain why some people “do not feel well” following the air travel. Alcohol and/or smoking aggravate these two conditions and the severity of circadian dysrhythmia (jet lag).
How does one minimize jetlag and be comfortable on long flights?
Jet lag is a natural physiologic response of the body to traveling to a different time zone, before the individual is able to adjust to a new night/day cycle. During long flights, like international travel, it is best strategy to adjust your sleep cycle starting a couple of days before departure. Avoid eating a heavy meal before a flight. During the flight, eat light also, drink a lot of fluids like fruit juices or water (not alcohol or coffee), get up and walk often and do light aerobic exercise in your seat every couple of hours or so, like foot pumps, ankle circles, knee lefts, neck roll, knee to chest, shoulder roll and forward body flex exercise. Get enough timely sleep (a mild sleeping pill prescribed by your physician might help in timing your sleep cycle in anticipation of the time zone change in your place of destination). Melatonin tablets have been effective in reducing jet lag in some people, but reports of possible side effects on the rhythm of the heart have discouraged some physicians from prescribing Melatonin. Some people take aspirin or other pain pills to minimize muscle aches and pains. Aspirin also thins the blood and useful during flight to prevent blood clots in the legs (which could travel to the lungs and cause serious problems). Consult your physician before taking aspirin or any other drugs. Use of lip, facial and skin moisturizers will also add to your comfort during flight. On arrival, rest for a couple of days and limit your commitments during this first two days to minimize jet lag and to allow your system to adjust.
Welcome aboard, and enjoy your flight. And please fasten your seatbelt.