And there are health effects that come along with flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet, so it is important that you arrive prepared. Many of us prepare with compression socks and water, but what is best? Flying often can cause issues with water retention. It is known that swollen ankles is a common ailment, although this is mostly harmless. Also anxieties and tensions can mount also. So here are some tips for you.
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Dehydration
Our body is built for optimal function when it is in an environment of about 50% humidity, but due to the dry air flowing in the cabin, in the plane the numbers can drop up to 10%. Dehydration can cause dryness in the mouth, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. All of this can lead to headaches, thirst, constipation, decreased urine, and in extreme cases - low blood pressure, accelerated heartbeat and fever. Dry sinuses, nostrils and throat, all the result of dehydration, can make you much more vulnerable to bacteria. Therefore, you should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and other beverages that speed up urination and increase dehydration.
Avoid DVT
Venous thrombosis is a phenomenon also known as economy class syndrome and is especially common on long flights of four hours or more. According to global statistics, about 10% of all pilots will suffer from DVT mildly or severely. This is a condition in which the blood stands inside the blood vessel due to its lack of adequate flow, as a result of prolonged inactivity. This can lead to swelling in the feet and ankles and the formation of blood clots in the feet. In rare cases, these clots can drift with the bloodstream towards the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism that can lead to shortness of breath, and in more severe cases even death. Sometimes people wear compression socks. You may want to read up on compression sock side effects to ensure that you know the facts.
Pressure and pain in the ears
Ear problems are the most common medical complaint of airplane passengers. The auditory trumpet (Eustachian tube) is a thin tube that connects the middle ear to the throat and is responsible for balancing the pressure between the middle ear and the world air. When this tube is partially or completely blocked, differences in air pressure are created, which causes the eardrum to shrink and cause unpleasant symptoms. After consulting a doctor, nasal sprays, congestion thinners and antihistamines can be used during the flight. You can use ear plugs but this doesn’t always eradicate the problem.
Jetlag?
A rapid transition between different time zones temporarily disrupts our biological clock. Jet lag can have some serious psychological effects besides your sleep pattern. These include fatigue, headaches, irritability, indigestion, and even nausea and loss of appetite. So what can you do? Many say that by controlling your exposure to sunlight in the early stages of the trip, you can balance your internal clock. You can also combine this with gentle exercise and trying to stay awake until the new time zone to adjust. Although this can take a few days.
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