Is Flying Safely Possible
Millions of passengers regularly fly, and the vast majority of them have no health concerns about flying. To ensure that your flight is as comfortable as possible and you’re flying safely, there are a few things you can do. Your ears may “pop” or feel full if there is a temporary blockage of the Eustachian tube due to pressure changes. Swallow often to balance the pressure; chewing gum sometimes works as well. Additionally effective is yawning. Avoid falling asleep while descending; you might not be able to swallow enough to keep up with the pressure shift. Use the “Valsalva maneuver” if yawning or swallowing doesn’t work:
* Close your nostrils with a finger, then take a deep breath. Try to blow your thumb and finger out of your nostrils by forcing air into the back of your nose with only your cheek and throat muscles. Blow in gentle and repeated short bursts. You will know you’ve succeeded when you hear or feel a pop in your ears. Never exert excessive pressure on your abdomen (diaphragm) or lungs by forcing air out of them.
Descending pressure upsets babies
These pressure variations during the descent are particularly upsetting to infants. They can quite often feel better by sucking on a pacifier or feeding from a bottle. If you recently underwent abdominal, ocular, or oral surgery, including a root canal, avoid flying. Discomfort might occur due to pressure changes that take place during ascent and descent.
You might also feel discomfort from pressure shifts if you have an upper respiratory infection or sinus infection. Try to postpone your vacation. (Confirm the cancellation or change penalties associated with your ticket.) One more thing to remember about pressure changes: they make your feet swell. When flying, try to avoid wearing new or tight shoes.
Coffee and alcohol dehydrate
Both coffee and alcohol cause the body to dry out. Given that the air in an airplane’s cabin is already dry, the combination can raise your risk of developing a respiratory infection. If you wear contact lenses, drinking wine or coffee, as well as the low cabin humidity, can all cause your tear production to decrease. This can make it uncomfortable if you don’t blink enough. Lens users should clean their lenses before the flight. They should use lubricating eye drops while flying, read once in a while, and remove their lenses if they plan to nap. (Extended-wear lenses may not be affected; speak with your doctor.)
If you use prescriptions, bring plenty for your vacation
Bring enough prescription medication to last the duration of your vacation if you take any. You might be a young and fit person, or you might be retired and frail. Whichever is the case, always take precautions, and flying safely is always recommended. In case the medication isn’t found, or stolen, carry a copy of the prescription or your doctor’s name and contact information. To avoid any queries during security or customs inspections, the medication should be in the original prescription bottle. Don’t pack it in a checked suitcase in case the bag gets lost; instead, carry it in your pocket or carry-on bag.
There are many techniques to lessen the symptoms of jet lag:
Before your vacation, be sure to get enough rest. Try to book a flight that lands at night so you can go straight to bed. Sleep on the plane (but not during descent). Perform isometric exercises, consume light meals, and limit or avoid alcohol consumption during the flight.
Before departure, try to use a restroom in the airport terminal. When the “Fasten Seat Belts” sign is switched off on some flights, the cabin crew immediately starts serving beverages, and the serving cart may obstruct access to the restrooms.
