Why is my stomach so swollen after flying?

Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, caused by swallowing air as we eat and other processes in the body. However, the pressure in the cabin caused by being at such a high altitude makes any air trapped in your gut expand, which causes you to feel bloated after a flight.



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How to get rid of bloated stomach after flying: your foolproof formula
  1. Stay hydrated. ...
  2. Be mindful of carbonated beverages and sugar alcohols. ...
  3. Take short breaks to walk and stretch. ...
  4. Supplement magnesium. ...
  5. Opt for a balanced, nutrient-dense meal pre-flight.


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You may feel discomfort and notice minor swelling in your abdomen area as well. Luckily jet belly shouldn't last more than one week after you land and can be relieved using different techniques and by taking natural supplements.

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Air pressure in the cabin is lower than at sea level. As cabin pressure falls while flying, gas starts to expand. As a result, you may feel pressure in your stomach or digestive system. Gas and bloating are common.

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However, the pressure in the cabin caused by being at such a high altitude makes any air trapped in your gut expand, which causes you to feel bloated after a flight.

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Summary. It is very common for a person's ankles to swell during or after flying. This is often due to a buildup of fluid known as edema.

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Four or more hours on a plane can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances, leading to a small increase in your weight, says Jampolis. If you do plan on weighing yourself after a flight (for some odd reason), drink lots of water while you're in the air and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you further.

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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.

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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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Once you've landed, you can use a lot of the same tools to reduce swelling after your travel: “Stay hydrated, move around, and wear compression socks,” says Wurster. “Also, be mindful of what you're eating and avoid foods too high in sodium because that can also add to further swelling.”

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You could develop blood clots Blood clots, associated with being immobile for long periods, are usually a big concern for passengers. These include clots that form in the leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) that can travel to the lung (where it's known as a pulmonary embolism).

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Remember that anything over 6 hours flying time is considered long haul, but flights of longer than 10 hours are not uncommon either. One important thing to remember is to keep your seat belt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.

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Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, which means your body takes in less oxygen. Airlines “pressurize” the air in the cabin, but not to sea-level pressures, so there's still less oxygen getting to your body when you fly, which can make you feel drained or even short of breath.

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The main aspect of in-flight health that most of us will encounter is tiredness and changes to circadian rhythms. Flying often involves getting up at unsociable hours, inadequate sleep and messing up the body clock — all of which leave us more susceptible to being hit nastily by any bugs that may be floating about.

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The effect should only last for a short time, and dissipates shortly after you walk off the plane. It's easy to alleviate or avoid foot and ankle swelling during a flight, too.

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Swelling is common during air travel The swelling is a combination of inactivity paired with the force of gravity pulling the fluids in your body toward earth. Sitting with your feet motionless for hours at a time can cause the blood to pool in the veins of your legs, but it isn't the only source of swelling.

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How to aid recovery from long-haul flights
  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.
  5. And finally, if you can, get a massage within the first 24 hours of landing.


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