A new study published bySensory alertOn Monday, about the impact of long-haul flights on the human body.
The site believes that long journeys “aren’t always healthy”, as it has summarized its impact in 4 points, namely:
1. Dehydration
Dehydration is common on long-haul flights, which explains the dry sensation in the throat, nose and skin on an airplane. The longer the flight, the greater the risk of dehydration.
This is due to the lower humidity levels in the cabin compared to the normal situation on land. This is mainly because much of the air circulating in the cabin is drawn in from outside, and there isn’t much humidity in the air at high altitudes.
The risk of dehydration increases if you don’t drink enough water or drink too much alcohol.
Therefore, it is recommended to drink water before the trip and during the trip.
2. Damages
When the cabin pressure changes, the gas in our body reacts accordingly. It expands as the plane lifts and the pressure drops, and the reverse happens as we descend. This can lead to common problems like:
Earache – when the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum is different – leading to pressure on the eardrum.
Headache – can be caused by the expansion of air trapped in the sinuses.
Intestinal problems – which can cause you to pass more air.
You may also feel sleepier than usual. This is due to the body’s inability to absorb as much oxygen from cabin air at a higher altitude than it does on the ground.
Most of these problems won’t necessarily only occur on long-haul flights, and are a major problem when boarding and landing the plane.
3. Blood clots
Blood clots, associated with prolonged immobility, are usually a major concern for travellers. These include clots that form in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) and can travel up to the lung (where they are known as a pulmonary embolism).
And in case you don’t travel by air, your risk factors will increase and the chance of developing blood clots will increase, especially in the elderly, obese people, those with a past or family history of clots, or those who have certain types bleeding disorders, or those with cancer, or those who have had recent surgery, are pregnant or have recently given birth, or are taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptive pills.
And according to a review conducted in 2022, combining data from 18 studies, the longer you travel, the higher your risk of blood clots. The authors estimated that there was a 26% higher risk for every two additional hours of air travel, starting with flights of four hours or more.
The only current advice is to keep moving around on the plane, stay hydrated and drink less alcohol.
Usually, if you develop a blood clot, you don’t notice it until after your flight, as the clot takes time to form and travel.
So watch out for post-flight symptoms: leg pain and swelling, chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath. Seek emergency medical help if this happens.
4. Jet lag and the coronavirus
And there’s jet lag, and it’s about time, time that we think is different than the actual time schedule, especially when crossing different time zones.
Longer trips mean you’re more likely (but not always) to cross multiple time zones. Jet lag usually becomes more difficult when you cross three or more time zones, especially if you’re traveling east.
And don’t forget the coronavirus and the possibility of catching it while traveling, so “take the usual precautions: wash your hands regularly, wear a mask and don’t travel if you don’t feel well.”
