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fredag 4 december 2009

Flights Can Be A Health Problem When On Vacations And Holidays

By Dorothy Yamich

People who take air flights when they travel on holidays and vacations could be at risk of developing a variety of medical problems that can range from minor to severe, such as deep vein thrombosis, which can be life threatening.

The following information covers a number of common in-flight medical symptoms and travel tips that should help you have a safer and more enjoyable flight.

The usual in-flight symptoms you may experience are ear-popping, nasal congestion, dehydration, headaches, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite (possibly caused by the in-flight food), light-headedness, problems with coordination, concentration problems, confusion, irritability, anxiety, sweating, fatigue, swollen lower legs and feet, and motion sickness. Some of the above symptoms may also be associated with jet lag. In addition, jet lag can also affect your sense of orientation in terms of time and place, as well as disrupt your sense of well-being.

Some medical symptoms can be reduced or eliminated by doing a few simple things.

By drinking a glass or two of water, juice, or soda, every half hour or so, you can help prevent dehydration and dryness in the throat, nose and eyes. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided or consumed in moderation as they can cause dehydration as well as disrupt sleep patterns. Chewing gum can help prevent your ears from popping and getting plugged. Using an inflatable neck pillow can prevent a sore and stiff neck. Eye shades can make it easier to sleep on a long air flight and ear plugs can reduce the constant cabin noise. Ask a flight attendant for a blanket to keep you warm when you fly. It is also a good idea to turn off the overhead air nozzle above your seat as the cool air blowing down on top of you could be a bit chilly.

People's bodies tend to swell when they fly. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing helps to relieve this swelling. This will also add to your in flight comfort. If you can, it's better to avoid salty foods as excess salt in your body can cause water retention which may make your body swell when you fly.

Jet lag may also be a major problem on flights. You may be able to reduce the effects of jet lag by adjusting your sleeping and eating patterns a couple of days before your flight to try and reflect the time zone when you will arrive at your destination. This will take a little discipline but it is well worth trying, as it really can make a difference.

There are some more things that you can do to reduce the effects of jet lag. If you can, try and catch a flight that arrives at your vacation destination in the daylight hours. Immediately fit into this new time zone and avoid going to bed. If you are feeling tired and wish to take a short snooze, then do it in a well-lit place. In the evening or at night, sleep in a darkened room. The darkness will quickly prepare your brain for sleep. Try to avoid watching television, or using a computer as their screens are bright and can easily over-stimulate your brain. It is not a good idea to consume alcohol or any drinks that contain caffeine such as soda and coffee, or eat chocolate, until your symptoms of jet lag wear off, as alcohol and food products that contain caffeine can disrupt your sleep.

Generally speaking, most travelers are not aware that they will only begin to experience the symptoms of jet lag as they leave their plane. That is when the passengers' biological clocks start to make internal adjustments inside their bodies to more closely coincide with the local time zone at their holiday destination. When commercial airline travelers cross one, or even two time zones, they can usually adjust quite quickly. However, if they are experiencing poor health, or are not feeling well just before they fly, then jet lag can compound these problems.

What is deep vein thrombosis, or DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is caused by a blood clot which forms in the lower leg. If this clot breaks off, it can move to the lungs which then can be fatal. This can be a very serious, life threatening medical emergency.

The most common symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are pain, redness, and swelling in the leg. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious health problem for travelers, especially when they fly. Recent research shows that an airline passenger can be at three times the risk of developing this life threatening condition when compared to the general population.

Here are some things that you can do to reduce the odds of developing this deadly condition. You should avoid crossing your legs as this cuts off the circulation in them and dramatically raises the risk of DVT. You can increase your circulation when you wear loose fitting clothing and avoid tight fitting socks or stockings Be sure to change your sitting position frequently, move your legs every so often when in the sitting position, and get up and walk back and forth down the aisle. Try and sit in an aisle seat so you can get up frequently and walk around without disturbing your fellow passengers. This will help with the circulation in your legs and reduce the odds that you will develop deep-vein thrombosis.

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