Why do I feel weird after flying?

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. All of those things can mess with some of your body's normal functions.



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Oxygen. Lower oxygen levels contribute to the fatigue you're feeling. Because plane cabins are pressurized to simulate a 6,000-8,000 feet elevation, your blood absorbs less oxygen at those altitudes. This can cause dizziness, sleepiness, and a lack of mental sharpness.

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Plane travel makes jet lag worse because your body moves much faster than your brain and circadian rhythms can process the time change. Other aspects of travel can also contribute to jet lag and may make symptoms worse: Long periods of sitting on a plane. Lack of oxygen and decreased air pressure in the airplane cabin.

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Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two after traveling across at least two time zones. Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the farther you travel. This is especially true if you fly east. It usually takes about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

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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.

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Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the farther you travel. This is especially true if you fly east. It usually takes about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

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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.

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MdDS treatments may include:
  1. Medication.
  2. Brain stimulation therapy.
  3. Treatment exercises (vestibular rehabilitation).


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Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury. These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can include medicine, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.

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You're not alone if you feel as if you're getting sick after flying: Around 20 percent of people on commercial flights develop symptoms of the common cold within one week of travel. Researchers are finally starting to gather and publish more data about the health risks associated with airplane travel.

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What Effects Does Long-Haul Flying Have On The Human Body?
  • Jet lag. Indeed, the most common symptom of a long-haul journey is jet lag. ...
  • Fatigue. Another common side effect of being airborne for long periods is mild fatigue. ...
  • Ear, nose, and gut problems. Pressurization doesn't just affect oxygen levels. ...
  • Dehydrated skin.


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The most common symptoms of jet lag include: Sleeping problems: It may be hard to fall asleep when you want to, or you may wake up earlier than planned. Jet lag can also cause sleep to be fragmented. Daytime sleepiness: Jet lag frequently causes you to feel drowsy or tired during the day.

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When you land, there are also a few things you should try to do.
  1. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
  2. Go for a short burst of cardio. ...
  3. Keep drinking water.
  4. Sleep, or if you can't sleep, rest in a darkened room very soon after arriving at your final destination.


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There are plenty of reasons you might opt to drink, said Slater, who worked for TWA and Delta before moving to JetBlue. “The fact that you're away from home, you're away from your social support, you miss your holidays, you miss your weekends. You're isolated a lot. It's going to be very, very lonely.

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