Long-distance travel requires many preparations: Booking a plane ticket, finding a place to stay, keeping bags under the weight limit — and that’s all before leaving for the airport. After all those considerations, you want to feel your best when you reach your destination.
While air travel is safe and effective, spending hours confined to a small seat, surrounded by neighboring passengers, at more than 30,000 feet can incur a variety of health concerns. But armed with a few simple preparations and tips, you can make the most of your air travel and stay healthy in the process.
Dr. Matthew Weissman, an internist and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, encourages travelers to make a plan of action for potential health issues they may experience ahead of a trip. While you are packing, he recommends assembling a mini first-aid kit, including items like allergy medication and pain and fever reducers.
Passengers with chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or shortness of breath, should watch for worsening symptoms during air travel. In case of an emergency, pack prescription medications in carry-on bags, where they are easily accessible.
If you’re in the US and run into a health issue caused by air travel, Zocdoc allows you to book doctor’s appointments, whether for urgent care or a specialist, in multiple states.
Heading abroad? Consider travel health insurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some information on the different types.
If you’ve ever felt a popping or clogged sensation in your ear while flying, then you’ve experienced airplane ear. It’s caused by changes in air pressure when planes lift off or land.
While airplane ear is annoying, it’s usually not a cause for concern. Dr. Inna Husain, an ear, nose and throat specialist in Indiana, says in many cases, your ears adapt to pressure changes quickly and painlessly. However, if you’re sick with a cold or sinus infection, that’s a different story: The inflammation and fluid buildup in your nose and sinuses can make it harder for your ears to adjust to the new air pressure, which causes pain. It can also lead to trouble hearing, vertigo and even eardrum damage.
Using a nasal decongestant one hour before landing or taking an oral decongestant two to three hours before landing can minimize symptoms. Drinking water, wearing ear plugs or chewing on gum can also help relieve pain.
If your symptoms persist for a few days post-flight or you experience severe pain, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
If you’ve ever made it to your destination feeling more stuffed up or sniffly than when you boarded, you aren’t alone.
Most modern planes have air filters that can trap bacteria and viruses. But if someone seated near you is sick, there’s a risk you can catch whatever they have. Additionally, dry air can exacerbate any existing cold symptoms, like a sore throat.
Staying healthy onboard starts with implementing habits that support your immune system long before scanning your boarding pass and vying for space in the overhead bin. “Eat healthy, get regular exercise, get good sleep, stay hydrated,” Weissman says. “Also, make sure your vaccines, including your COVID booster, are up to date.”
When you board your flight, Weissman suggests using a sanitizing wipe on your seat’s armrests and tray tables and washing your hands before eating or touching your face.
If you’re taking a flight that’s more than four hours long, it’s good to be aware of deep vein thrombosis, which occurs when a blood clot forms in your body, most commonly in your leg. Long periods of sitting can cause DVT.
Pregnancy, cancer, heart disease and age can put you at a higher risk of developing DVT, but the condition is a concern for all travelers, especially on longer flights. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, warm skin and/or tenderness in the affected area. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency during a flight, alert a member of the cabin crew immediately.
Most clots dissolve by themselves, but in some cases, a clot breaks off and moves to the lungs, where it can cause a blockage, or pulmonary embolism, which can be deadly.
You can prevent DVT by moving your body around during your flight. Once the seatbelt sign is turned off, don’t be afraid to get the blood pumping. “Stand up every couple of hours to walk around and do some calf stretching,” Weissman says.
Patients at a higher risk of developing DVT should talk to their doctors about preventive measures like blood thinners or compression stockings ahead of flights.
Jet-setting from one time zone to another can wreak havoc on the body’s internal clock. In addition to messing up sleep schedules, jet lag can leave you feeling off, both physically and mentally, with side effects like gastrointestinal issues and brain fog.
Thankfully, small adjustments in the days leading up to a flight can reduce jet lag. Weissman suggests altering your meal- and bedtimes to better align with your destination’s time zone. Once you arrive, do your best to go to bed and wake up according to your destination’s time zone, even if it leaves you a bit groggy.
Still struggling? Weissman recommends getting sunlight during the day, and says that some travelers benefit from taking melatonin half an hour before bed to promote sleep.
It can be scary to feel sick far from the comforts of home and the expertise of your normal support team. It’s even more stressful when it’s unclear whether or not to wait it out.
“If you get sick while away and it’s serious or not improving, it is worth getting seen by a doctor,” says Weissman. You can easily find a doctor in the US by using an online service like Tabidoc, which allows you to filter by different health insurance plans and offers video visits.
To find care abroad, try asking staff at your hotel, contacting your insurance provider or reaching out to the US embassy or consulate for recommendations.
If you’re jet-setting this summer, a bit of preparation and care can minimize your likelihood of developing any health issues mid-flight, so you can enjoy your vacation in peace.
