What is post-flight flu? Feeling unwell after a flight can feel miserable, and the culprit? Low humidity in the airplane. There is low moisture in the air which in turn can dry out your nasal passages, leading to flu-like symptoms.
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Planes have a different atmospheric pressure than we are used to, which can cause the nasal passages to dry, leading to symptoms resembling flu.
Feeling unwell directly after a flight is often the cause of low humidity. Planes have a different atmospheric pressure than we are used to, which can cause the nasal passages to dry, leading to symptoms resembling flu.
The culprit: Low cabin humidityAt very low levels of humidity, the natural defense system of mucus in our noses and throats dries up and is crippled, creating a much more tolerant environment for germs to infect us.
Airline carriers are also formidable carriers of the common cold; a recent study says you may be more than 100 times as likely to catch a cold on a plane as in your normal daily rounds, according to a study publishing in the Journal of Environmental Health Research: Common cold transmission in commercial aircraft: ...
While you already know that you'll be around a lot of people at the airport and on the plane, flying also creates environmental conditions that can put your immune system on the defense. The reason? Low humidity.
Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder, but not temporary enough for many travelers. If you're flying from San Francisco to Rome for a 10-day trip, for example, it may take six to nine days to fully recover. That's because it can take up to a day for each time zone crossed for your body to adjust to the local time.
Just like a bag of peanuts mid-flight, air pressure changes will cause you to inflate. A build-up of gas can lead to bloating, constipation and stomach pains. Lack of movement leads to fluid build-up around the body, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Sitting down in a tight seat for 13+ hours can sometimes lead to circulation issues, including swelling in the feet. According to The Healthy, the chance of your body forming blood clots increases when blood isn't moving correctly, such as when onboard a long-haul flight.
Some studies suggest that the cabin pressure changes in the airplane, which are more pronounced during takeoff and landing, affects the head and sinuses in a way that triggers a headache. Another possible explanation for AHs is a fear of flying, which can cause stress and anxiety and subsequently trigger a headache.
Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.
Disembarkment syndrome is a medical condition that may occur following a sustained motion event like an aircraft flight or cruise. It is a neurological condition that is normally diagnosed by a neurologist when the sufferer reports a persistent swaying, rocking, or bobbing sensation.
The air pressure while flying increases the risk of blood clots forming, which is not ideal. Heart complications: If you've suffered a heart attack, stroke, cardiac failure or chest pain while at rest, flying should wait. The lower oxygen levels, increased air pressure, high altitude and more could affect your health.
Q: Are there allergy medications that I can take and still fly? Yes, there are a number of non-sedating antihistamines available. These include loratadine (Claritin®), desloratadine (Clarinex®), and fexofenadine (Allegra®).