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In-Flight Health

Statistically, flying is one of the safest means of transport available. However the frequent flyer should consider how to maintain a good level of in-flight health, which is important for on-going personal health - especially if you spend most of your time at a high altitude! If you are fit and feeling your best up in the skies it can be a good time to get on with projects without the constant interruptions of the office and telephones.

Being Fit to Fly

We have all heard of stories of dramatic in-flight emergencies, most of which would not occur if attention was given to fitness to fly. The following conditions make it difficult for you to be fit to fly and should be discussed with your doctor prior to leaving for your trip.

A ten-day rule usually applies for most serious complaints such as a heart attack, chest pain, most surgery or bleeding disorders. It is best to get advice from your doctor if you have had any major complaint in the weeks leading up to an important meeting that requires you to fly.

During pregnancy, most airlines will not allow you to fly after 32-34 weeks, or 30 weeks if you are expecting a multiple birth! Some women prefer to get straight back into work after childbirth, often taking their new babies with them. New babies, however, should not take to the air until they are at least 7 days old and have been checked over by their doctor.

Ear, Nose and Throat conditions can cause problems for the business traveller especially as gases expand on both take-off and landing.

Any infection should mean postponing your trip by a week.

If you are planning a dive while you are on your business trip it is important to remember that you should not fly for 24 hours after scuba diving.

If you have any medical condition that requires medication, this medication should be in your hand luggage during the flight and easily accessible. Any medicine left in your suitcase, and placed in the cargo hold, is at risk of freezing and thus destroying the medication, especially insulin.

If you are at risk of DVT you should look at prevention methods - high risk travellers should discuss DVT prevention with their doctor.

Up in the air

While many people suffer anxiety over flying, once the plane is air-bound most of these fears usually disappear as the cabin crew set about making you feel 'at home'. If you suffer from travel sickness, use a good medication to make flying comfortable. Take it at least one to two hours before take-off depending on the instructions given on the packet. Due to the fact that most travel sickness tablets can make you drowsy, some people prefer to use other methods such as acupressure wristbands that apply pressure to points on the wrist, thus preventing sickness. It is good to try these out if you are a frequent, sick flyer - if it works, great, if not try something else! It can help sitting in the middle of the plane in the centre section. Sickness usually occurs at take-off and landing and during times of air turbulence - so during this time try putting all work and reading materials away, rest back, close your eyes and breathe slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth…

Once the plane ascends, gasses in the body start to expand. When flying it is always a good idea to wear loose fitting clothes that will maintain their comfort for the duration of the flight. Ear popping can be helped by sucking a sweet when the plane takes-off and again at landing.

DVT is now a known risk for 1% of all long haul passengers, which are four passengers on every jumbo jet. It is essential for frequent business travellers to ensure they are aware of the risk of DVT and understand methods of prevention.

Make wise choices about what you eat and drink

The air inside the cabin becomes very dry during a flight and the business traveller is at risk of becoming dehydrated during a long flight. Dehydration can lead to other problems such as DVT but is often displayed in a throbbing headache on arrival at your destination. To prevent dehydration drink plenty of non-alcoholic fruit juices and still water during the flight. Avoid carbonated drinks, which can only add to your expanded gas problem! Alcohol, tea and coffee all have a dehydrating effect on the body, thus making you even more dehydrated.

While most airlines provide an excellent choice of food, beware when flying internally with local airlines in developing countries. Food and drink rules should also apply - avoid salads and other food that could potentially ruin your trip!