The Impact of Extended Air Travels on Physical Well-being
Long-Haul Flights: Understanding the Health Risks and Mitigation Strategies
Traveling long distances by air can be an exciting yet challenging experience. International commercial flights, in particular, can be particularly stressful due to factors such as jet lag, dehydration, and the risk of blood clots. Here's a closer look at some of the health risks associated with long-haul flights and how to mitigate them.
Blood Clots: A Serious Concern
One of the most significant health risks associated with long-haul flights is the increased risk of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Prolonged immobility during long flights significantly raises the risk of DVT, which can lead to PE, especially in obese individuals, pregnant women, those with cardiac or respiratory conditions, or a history of clots. Symptoms like chest pain or leg swelling should prompt immediate medical attention. Preventive measures include regularly moving and stretching legs, staying hydrated, and consulting a healthcare professional prior to travel if at risk.
Jet Lag: Disrupting the Circadian Rhythm
Jet lag occurs when the circadian rhythm is disrupted by rapid travel across multiple time zones. This disruption can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, disturbed sleep, irritability, reduced performance, headache, and gastrointestinal upsets. Strategies to mitigate jet lag include getting as much sleep on the plane as possible, walking around in the sunshine upon reaching the destination, and having meals at local time.
Pregnant Women: Special Considerations
Pregnant women face added risks such as dehydration and DVT; air travel is generally considered safe up to about 35-36 weeks gestation but high-risk pregnancies may warrant avoiding flying. Radiation exposure during flights is generally low but may accumulate with frequent flying, particularly relevant for pregnant women.
Other Health Risks
Other health risks associated with long-haul flights include dental pain due to atmospheric pressure changes acting on certain dental conditions, bloating due to overeating and consuming carbonated drinks, and constipation due to dehydration. In addition, research on aircrew involved in long-haul flights and flights across multiple time zones reveals poorer psychomotor, vigilance, and cognitive performance.
Mitigation Strategies
Mitigating these risks involves proactive hydration, mobility during flights, medical consultation for vulnerable individuals, managing sleep and circadian rhythm challenges, and following pregnancy-specific air travel guidelines. Walking around the plane, drinking lots of fluids, avoiding sleeping pills, and wearing compression stockings can help reduce the risk of DVT.
Road Accidents: A Leading Cause of Death
While not directly related to air travel, it's worth noting that road accidents are the leading cause of death in international travellers. Thousands of Australians are expected to travel to Europe this year for the summer, and it's essential to take precautions to ensure a safe journey.
Air Travel: A Complex Experience
In summary, air travel can present a variety of health risks, but with proper preparation and awareness, these risks can be effectively managed. Whether you're a frequent flyer or embarking on your first long-haul journey, understanding these risks and implementing mitigation strategies will help ensure a safer and more enjoyable travel experience.
[1] Healthline.com: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) [2] Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: Air Travel in Pregnancy [3] Mayo Clinic: Jet Lag [4] CNN: How to combat jet lag [5] BBC News: Frequent flying 'linked to poor health'
In the context of understanding health risks and mitigation strategies associated with long-haul flights, it's important to consider the increased risk of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and the disruption of the circadian rhythm that leads to jet lag. Pregnant women may require special considerations due to the added risks of dehydration and DVT, and the immersion in air travel can have negative effects on mental health, affecting psychomotor, vigilance, and cognitive performance. To mitigate these risks, travelers should follow proactive hydration, mobility during flights, medical consultation for vulnerable individuals, managing sleep and circadian rhythm challenges, and following pregnancy-specific air travel guidelines. While not directly related to air travel, the frequency of road accidents in international travelers deserves attention, being road accidents the leading cause of death in this context.
