L U F U N O

Flying and Health

  • Provided by Lufuno ZAR

Flying and Health Tips

Every traveler knows how uncomfortable flying can be. You’re tired, dehydrated, and folded into a tiny seat for hours on end. But is there a risk that all the unpleasantness of air travel can actually harm your health? Lufuno will educate the client about the most common factors that can affect your flying trip experience. This is to ensure that the passenger knows exactly how to react in health harzadous situations such as In pregnancy, infections, jet lag, deep vein thrombosis, radiation exposure etc..

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Health considerations when flying

Air travel can expose you to a number of factors that can impact your health and well-being. Although most travellers won't notice any adverse effects to their health during a flight, the effects from flying may present challenges if you have certain

High Altitude

High altitude is generally considered to be 2,400 metres (8000 feet) and above. Aircraft cabins are kept at a pressure approximately equivalent to between 1,800 to 2,400 metres; developing symptoms due to high altitude (altitude sickness) is not usual during flights for most people. However, if you have a lung or heart condition, you might need to use oxygen during a flight because of the higher altitude

Pregnancy

If you are healthy and your pregnancy has been straightforward, then air travel is generally considered safe. However, some pregnant women with underlying risk factors might be at increased risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from flying. Ensure thorough research about possible effects of flying while pregnant so that all necessary measures can be taken for a safe flight.

Flying with a disability

Navigating an airport and flying can at times be stressful, cause anxiety and be physically exhausting. Many airports offer assistance services for those who have physical or hidden disabilities but these may need to be booked in advance. Cabin crew are not allowed to assist passengers who are unable to look after their own physical needs (such as using the toilet, assistance with meals or mobility) during a flight.

Infectious Diseases

To reduce the potential risk of passing on infections to others on board an aircraft, you should postpone travel if you are actively unwell, especially if you have a fever, until you have fully recovered. The quality of aircraft cabin air is carefully controlled and research has shown that there is a very low risk of infectious diseases being transmitted on board.

Covid-19

You should not fly if you have experienced recent symptoms of COVID-19 or have been identified as being a close contact of someone who has experienced COVID-19. You should check the latest advice on the length of time you must self-isolate for after symptoms develop or being identified as a close contact, before deciding on travel to any province, state or country.

Dehydration

The circulating air inside aircraft cabins is very dry and can affect your skin, lips, nose and eyes. Discomfort can be reduced by using: skin moisturisers, saline nasal sprays, lip balms, glasses, instead of contact lenses, which may cause irritation. Alcohol and caffeine containing drinks can make you pee more which can lead to dehydration: you should try to drink plenty of clear fluids, such as water, during long flights and limit how much alcohol and caffeine you drink.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

The cramped conditions and long periods of being less active on a flight can cause pain, stiffness or swelling of your legs. Being less active can lead to slow blood flow in your veins which increases your risk of developing a blood clot, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs most commonly form in the legs. Part of the clot may break off and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE) which is potentially life threatening.

Motion sickness

It is uncommon to experience motion sickness during flying unless there is severe turbulence. If you are known to suffer from motion sickness in flight, you should: choose a seat in the mid-section of the aircraft, keep motion sickness bags nearby, avoid alcohol during and for 24 hours before a flight, discuss with your GP medications to manage your symptoms if they can be severe.



Jet Lag

Jet lag is the term used for when your normal sleep pattern is disrupted due to crossing multiple time zones. Jet lag can cause: difficulty sleeping at night, wanting to sleep during the day, difficulties in concentration and remembering things, changes to your mood, changes to your appetite, nausea (feeling sick), indigestion and constipation.


To minimise the effects of jet lag, you can consider the following measures:
  • Try to begin adjusting your body to the new time few days before travel by going to bed 1 to 2 hours later if travelling westward, or earlier if travelling eastward.
  • Change your sleep schedule to your new time zone as soon as possible after arrival.
  • If you take medication that needs to be taken at a specific time (for example antibiotics or insulin), you should speak to your GP or specialist to plan an altered schedule for taking your medication which takes time zone differences into consideration..