Being able to whizz around the world in a plane is a scientific and economic marvel, but is there a human cost to being able to jet off at will? Alas, it’s not exactly the healthiest thing you can do – and it’s worth knowing the toll it takes on the human body.
Flying isn’t good for you, right?
Of course not. And perhaps the most remarkable thing is how little damage being sealed in a pressurised, cramped cabin with hundreds of other people and their germs does to you. Flying does expose you to higher levels of radiation, but not dangerously higher levels. You’ll get more from a chest X-ray, for example, than a trans-Atlantic flight.
Of course, this mounts up for frequent flyers. But even airline crew aren’t exposed to nearly enough annually for it to tip into the danger zone where there’s a clearly evident increased risk of getting cancer in their lifetime.
What about dehydration?
Dry air circulates around cabins, which can have a dehydrating effect. For those who are otherwise fit and well, this doesn’t cause much of a problem – just a bit of dry skin that might need moisturising, and a possible dry mouth/ mild headache combo.
But the dehydrating effects of being in a high altitude, low humidity can for hours can exacerbate existing illnesses. And if added to alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, then dehydration can kick in. Going easy on the booze can help, and switching contact lenses for spectacles is a wise idea to avoid eye irritation.
And DVT?
It’s a common mistake to assume that deep vein thrombosis is something that only happens on flights – and it’s more about being immobile than being up in the air. Risks are similar if you’re on a gruellingly long bus journey, for example.
Lack of movement can slow blood flow in the veins, leading to blood clots – usually in the legs – which can potentially break off and cause a life-threating pulmonary embolism.
The NHS Fit For Travel site says those who have had recent surgery, are pregnant or obese, or suffer from varicose veins are among the groups at most risk from DVT.
What can be done to prevent DVT?
Anti-embolism stockings, if worn correctly, are a good bet, but most of the best preventative measures are behavioural.
Advice includes choosing an aisle seat, as this gives more room and encouragement to move around, carrying out muscle exercise, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and staying well hydrated – if only because it’ll make you go to the toilet more often.
Anything else to fret over?
The aspect of in-flight health that most of us will encounter is tiredness and changes to circadian rhythms. Flying often involves getting up at unsociable hours, inadequate sleep and stuffing up the body clock – all of which leave us more susceptible to being hit nastily by any bugs that may be floating about.
Jet lag, alas, is something that there’s no easy cure for. But there are things that can be done to minimise it. Get whatever sleep you can on the plane, try to adjust meal times to the destination, don’t plan much for the first day or take a stopover. And, yet again, going whole hog on the free wine and spirits really doesn’t help matters.
Simple in-flight exercises
- Go for a walk. You don’t have to stay put unless you need the toilet. Pace up and down the aisle a few times.
- Foot pumping. Keep your heels on the floor, and raise your toes upwards as far as possible. Then keep the balls of your feet on the floor and raise your heels as high as you can. Repeat ten times.
- Ankle circling. Lift your legs one at a time, then circle your feet clockwise from the ankle. Then repeat, but anticlockwise. Do both ten times for each foot.
- Neck rolling. Keep your shoulders in a relaxed position, then lean your head towards one, before rolling it towards the other should. Repeat ten times.
- Knee hugging: Bending slightly forward, clasp your knee so your leg lifts. Hug it towards your chest, hold for around ten seconds, then release. Repeat with the other leg. Again do it ten times with each leg.
This article was originally written for National Geographic Traveller UK.
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