In the human stomach, there are between one and two liters of air. Since this air expands when the aircraft gains altitude, people who are constipated or drink a lot of carbonated beverages may experience bloating and stomachache. Most stomachaches that occur during a flight are caused by air expanding in the stomach.
Flying causes an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots - particularly in flights over eight hours long. Having Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can put you at a three times greater risk of developing DVT than the general population, with flares creating an even further risk1.
Travellers' diarrhoea is one of the most common health issues experienced during travel. It can be caused by many different germs like bacteria (E.coli, Salmonella), viruses (norovirus) and parasites (Giardia).
Gastrointestinal tractTraveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and stomach cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually isn't serious in most people — it's just unpleasant.
It's not just your imagination – flying in an airplane can zap your energy, dry your skin and make various body parts feel different or weird. How come? “The pressure, temperature and oxygen levels in the cabin fluctuate, and the humidity level is lower than it is at sea level,” says Matthew Goldman, MD.
Airplanes are small, contained spaces and sicknesses can travel quickly from person-to-person. The CDC highly recommends that you don't fly if you have a fever, especially if you're also experiencing: diarrhea, coughing, or vomiting.