Are you a frequent traveler? Is a plane your second home and you always have a travel bag to fly out at the drop of a hat? If you said yes, then the effects of flying on the human body are something you need to factor into your travel plans.
Flying, especially long haul, can zap your energy, dry your skin, and make various body parts feel different. How come? The pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels in the cabin fluctuate, and the humidity level is lower than it is at sea level. All these things, along with the actual process of traveling, coming in contact with dozens or even hundreds of other people, and jumping from timezone to timezone, can leave you feeling a bit weak and sick.
Here are some ways airplane travel can negatively affect your body and the ways you can battle these effects to feel your best at cruising altitude.
Flying heightens your stress level.
Even before you hop on the plane, you’re bombarded with stressors: slow moving lines, boarding time, luggage and suitcases weighing you down, and even your children you have to bring along. They can all be one continuous test of your patience.
What to do:
- Plan ahead as much as possible to minimize stress. Pack medications on a carry-on bag, rather than checking them in, so they won’t get lost.
- Alert the airline when you book your ticket if you have diabetes or other medical condition that would warrant a special meal and/or snack. You can order them ahead of time when purchasing your tickets online.
Flying dehydrates you.
About 50% air circulating in the cabin is pulled from the outside causing low humidity levels. This may cause your throat, nose, and skin to feel dry.
What to do:
- To stay hydrated, pack an empty water bottle in your carry-on that you can refill afterwards.
- Wear glasses instead of contacts to help prevent discomfort to your eyes.
- Pack small bottles of lotion, eye drop, or nasal spray you can use in the plane.
Flying exposes you to germs.
We all know someone who flew home from vacation with an unexpected souvenir: a cold or virus. You might think that recirculating air in the cabin would make you prone to getting sick, but commercial airlines actually have advanced filtering systems that remove most bacteria, fungi and viruses from the air.
You may be exposed to an illness if you are sitting next to, in front of or behind someone with a cold or flu. Tray tables, seatbelt buckles, and other surfaces that are frequently touched may also be covered with germs.
What to do:
- It’s not too late to get a flu shot. According to CDC, a yearly flu vaccine is the BEST way to prevent influenza even if you’re exposed.
- Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer or spray, cover your cough and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Hand-sanitizer towelettes also offer an easy, airplane-friendly way to keep your hands clean and reduce your risks.
Flying plugged up the ears.
It’s one of the worst parts of flying: you finally hit that cruising altitude, and suddenly, you may feel that your ears are somehow plugged up.
What to do:
- Practice the following:
- Valsalva Maneuver: Close your mouth and pinch your nostrils closed. Then, breathe out forcefully — but don’t let any air escape through your mouth or nose.
- Toynbee Maneuver: Close your mouth, pinch your nostrils closed, and swallow.
Flying empties your energy tank.
Air pressure is lower at high altitudes, which means your body takes in less oxygen. This can make you feel drained along with the potential dehydration factor and sitting for long periods of time. Then there’s jet lag, if you’re traveling to a different time zone.
What to do:
- Hydration is key.
- Get up and walk around if you’re sitting for more than a couple hours, and perform stretches in your seat, like picking your feet off the ground and flexing and pointing your toes, to keep blood flowing.
Flying makes your belly bloated.
Those same pressure changes cause the gas inside your stomach and intestines to expand, which is why you may feel bloated.
What to do:
- Skip eating a greasy burger and fries in the terminal, and avoid any other foods you know could make your gas worse.
- If you have a chronic medical condition and have concerns about traveling, your doctor can definitely help with those decisions. I wish you the safest and healthiest travel experience as you jet across the world.
Dr. Salma Siddiqua earned her MBBS from Batterjee Medical College for Sciences and Technology in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She is currently working as a pediatrician in the Ministry of Health Hospitals in Riyadh. She has particular interests in Research and Pediatric Cardiology. She is also a mental health advocate.
