Holidays are the last time you want to get sick, yet even the hardiest of passengers can get off the plane at their destination feeling sniffly, bent out of shape, or worse. Anything that puts a dent in your vacation fun is best avoided, and it only takes some simple measures to wave plane-related health complaints goodbye.
So get the most out of your holiday with our jumbo tips for flying high and staying healthy.
DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or "economy class syndrome" is blood clotting caused by extended periods of immobility, like being crammed into a window seat on a long-haul flight.
General symptoms include pain, swelling and discolouration in the legs, but clinical diagnosis can be tricky. Symptoms usually occur during the flight, but they may come on hours or even days later. In rare cases a pulmonary embolism can occur, if little bits of the clot make their way to the heart or lungs.
Any traveller can develop DVT, but risk factors include age, recent surgery or disease, heart problems, pregnancy, smoking, obesity and varicose veins.
How to beat it: Dehydration is a factor, so lay off the alcohol and make sure you keep your water intake up. Keep your legs moving. Go for a brisk walk half an hour before the flight, and when you're in your seat, rotate your ankles, wiggle your toes, and point your feet every 30 minutes. Also make sure you get up to stretch your legs with a walk along the aisles or to the toilet. Special DVT socks and aspirin to thin the blood may also help.
Jet lag
Jet lag is the temporary disruption of your body clock when crossing time zones - sleep patterns take time to adjust, normally about one day per time zone crossed. Jet lag sufferers may experience sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, nausea, constipation, tiredness and poor concentration.
How to beat it: While there's a temptation to restrict sleep before departure to catch some zzzs on the plane, travelling when tired makes jet lag worse, so rest beforehand and aim to get maximum sleep on the plane.
Stretch frequently, and cut down on the booze - hangovers can magnify jet lag symptoms.
Adopting the day/night schedules of your holiday spot as soon as possible (even on the plane) can help, as can arriving in daylight hours - sunlight naturally alerts the body and will help you stay awake, as will gentle exercise. And try to schedule a non-demanding first day at your destination. Even with precautions you may feel out of it after touching down.
Fear of flying
Millions of people suffer an anxiety about flying. It can come from one bad experience, such as a rough flight or a news report about plane crashes or terrorism, or may be related to problems at home or work. Panic attacks are common (trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, sweating, hyperventilation), and may prevent people from flying altogether.
How to beat it: For nervy flyers already onboard, enrol the help of your travelling companion, who should reassure you about the safety of air travel - you're more likely to be injured on the roads than in the air. Try to distract yourself with in-flight entertainment, and tell the cabin crew before you take off. They may be able to help explain noises and sensations so you'll better understand what is going on.
Dry eyes and skin
Aircraft cabins contain re-circulated oxygen that's replenished from outside the plane, so at high altitudes there's very little moisture in the air. On top of that, cabin crew sometimes turn up the heat on long-haul flights so passengers fall asleep.
How to beat it: Drink plenty of water. These days water bottles cannot be taken through airport security, so buy a bottle in the departure lounge and keep on sipping. Heavy duty moisturiser will keep skin from drying out. For a long-haul flight, remove make-up after boarding and apply moisturiser to face, neck and hands every few hours. Eye drops may also help - apply whenever eyes begin to feel dry or itchy, especially if you're planning on reading or watching a film. Remember you can only take 100ml of any liquid onboard at the moment, unless you buy it once you've passed security.
Motion sickness
Airsickness occurs when the body receives conflicting signals from the body (inner ear, eyes, muscles) affecting balance and equilibrium. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, vertigo, cold sweats, confusion, drowsiness, headache and fatigue.
How to beat it: Ask to be seated in rows with the smoothest ride, usually over the wings. Sit facing forward while focusing on distant objects (clouds, buildings on the ground), rather than reading or looking at anything inside the plane. Eating dry crackers or olives helps to dry out the mouth, lessening nausea - ginger is also an effective sickness remedy.
Prescription and over-the-counter anti-motion sickness medications are available and new natural products, like acupressure wristbands, may also help.
Minor medical problems
Coughs and colds
Air inside the cabin is recycled, which, together with everyone being crammed together in an enclosed space, can lead to cold and flu bugs spreading rapidly throughout the plane. Use anti-bacterial hand gel to help protect yourself from germs, and pack some cold and flu medication just in case.
Air pressure
During take-off and landing, air pressure inside the body's cavities changes slightly, leading to that "popping" sensation, which can cause earache or headache. Equalise pressure by pinching your nose shut and blowing gently down your nostrils. Yawning and chewing gum also help, and painkillers can help ease any earaches.
Constipation
Airline food is notoriously stodgy, and combined with long periods of inactivity and the body clock confusion of jet lag, you might not be keeping as regular as you'd like. Drink water and keep moving on the plane, and try to graze on salads and light meals rather than meat and carbs. Finally, a mild natural laxative taken when you arrive should ease symptoms.
So get the most out of your holiday with our jumbo tips for flying high and staying healthy.
DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or "economy class syndrome" is blood clotting caused by extended periods of immobility, like being crammed into a window seat on a long-haul flight.
General symptoms include pain, swelling and discolouration in the legs, but clinical diagnosis can be tricky. Symptoms usually occur during the flight, but they may come on hours or even days later. In rare cases a pulmonary embolism can occur, if little bits of the clot make their way to the heart or lungs.
Any traveller can develop DVT, but risk factors include age, recent surgery or disease, heart problems, pregnancy, smoking, obesity and varicose veins.
How to beat it: Dehydration is a factor, so lay off the alcohol and make sure you keep your water intake up. Keep your legs moving. Go for a brisk walk half an hour before the flight, and when you're in your seat, rotate your ankles, wiggle your toes, and point your feet every 30 minutes. Also make sure you get up to stretch your legs with a walk along the aisles or to the toilet. Special DVT socks and aspirin to thin the blood may also help.
Jet lag
Jet lag is the temporary disruption of your body clock when crossing time zones - sleep patterns take time to adjust, normally about one day per time zone crossed. Jet lag sufferers may experience sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, nausea, constipation, tiredness and poor concentration.
How to beat it: While there's a temptation to restrict sleep before departure to catch some zzzs on the plane, travelling when tired makes jet lag worse, so rest beforehand and aim to get maximum sleep on the plane.
Stretch frequently, and cut down on the booze - hangovers can magnify jet lag symptoms.
Adopting the day/night schedules of your holiday spot as soon as possible (even on the plane) can help, as can arriving in daylight hours - sunlight naturally alerts the body and will help you stay awake, as will gentle exercise. And try to schedule a non-demanding first day at your destination. Even with precautions you may feel out of it after touching down.
Fear of flying
Millions of people suffer an anxiety about flying. It can come from one bad experience, such as a rough flight or a news report about plane crashes or terrorism, or may be related to problems at home or work. Panic attacks are common (trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, sweating, hyperventilation), and may prevent people from flying altogether.
How to beat it: For nervy flyers already onboard, enrol the help of your travelling companion, who should reassure you about the safety of air travel - you're more likely to be injured on the roads than in the air. Try to distract yourself with in-flight entertainment, and tell the cabin crew before you take off. They may be able to help explain noises and sensations so you'll better understand what is going on.
Dry eyes and skin
Aircraft cabins contain re-circulated oxygen that's replenished from outside the plane, so at high altitudes there's very little moisture in the air. On top of that, cabin crew sometimes turn up the heat on long-haul flights so passengers fall asleep.
How to beat it: Drink plenty of water. These days water bottles cannot be taken through airport security, so buy a bottle in the departure lounge and keep on sipping. Heavy duty moisturiser will keep skin from drying out. For a long-haul flight, remove make-up after boarding and apply moisturiser to face, neck and hands every few hours. Eye drops may also help - apply whenever eyes begin to feel dry or itchy, especially if you're planning on reading or watching a film. Remember you can only take 100ml of any liquid onboard at the moment, unless you buy it once you've passed security.
Motion sickness
Airsickness occurs when the body receives conflicting signals from the body (inner ear, eyes, muscles) affecting balance and equilibrium. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, vertigo, cold sweats, confusion, drowsiness, headache and fatigue.
How to beat it: Ask to be seated in rows with the smoothest ride, usually over the wings. Sit facing forward while focusing on distant objects (clouds, buildings on the ground), rather than reading or looking at anything inside the plane. Eating dry crackers or olives helps to dry out the mouth, lessening nausea - ginger is also an effective sickness remedy.
Prescription and over-the-counter anti-motion sickness medications are available and new natural products, like acupressure wristbands, may also help.
Minor medical problems
Coughs and colds
Air inside the cabin is recycled, which, together with everyone being crammed together in an enclosed space, can lead to cold and flu bugs spreading rapidly throughout the plane. Use anti-bacterial hand gel to help protect yourself from germs, and pack some cold and flu medication just in case.
Air pressure
During take-off and landing, air pressure inside the body's cavities changes slightly, leading to that "popping" sensation, which can cause earache or headache. Equalise pressure by pinching your nose shut and blowing gently down your nostrils. Yawning and chewing gum also help, and painkillers can help ease any earaches.
Constipation
Airline food is notoriously stodgy, and combined with long periods of inactivity and the body clock confusion of jet lag, you might not be keeping as regular as you'd like. Drink water and keep moving on the plane, and try to graze on salads and light meals rather than meat and carbs. Finally, a mild natural laxative taken when you arrive should ease symptoms.