Risks of flying and common health problems


When flying for the first time, one of the most common fears is the plane crashing. Of course this is scary but after flying a few times and understanding the risks of crashing, people normally relax a bit more and understand that the risk of crashing is pretty low. However, that does not mean that flying is healthy when your plane safely arrives. Here are some common risks to your body when flying on airplane. 

Common health problems that can happen with flying: 

1. Severe Dehydration: 

Air on airplanes is pretty dry. Most airlines have beverage trays that come through during the flight. Make sure to get water. Stay hydrated and drink around a pint of H2O every 3 hours. Try to refrain from coffee, tea, alcohol. If you do consume these drinks, make sure you are drinking water as well. Dehydration can cause headaches and can stress your body making you more susceptible to the colds and viruses. 

2. Lung Damage from Breathing in Polluted Air: 

How does this happen if you are in a plane with no open windows? Fumes from the engine do manage to seep into the plane but airlines state that when the plane is flying there is an air filtering system that flushes out the fumes but the data on this doesn't yet prove this to be true. Keeping the fan on overhead can help blow this around but when you are in an enclosed space it is going to circulate around and end up coming back your way. The time you are most at risk for fumes is when the plane is not taking off and idling waiting for the air traffic controllers okay to take off. 

3. Lice and Bedbugs: 

Planes are normally pretty cool in temperature and blankets and pillows are commonly provided on long flights. If it is a connecting flight, blankets and pillows are not new or cleaned. This means you can be exposed to lice or bugs. Each individual plane can fly between two to eight trips per day, depending on the size of the aircraft and distance of travel. A plane can take 4-16 flights in two days. Dozens of people may have sat in the seat you are in and lice can live up to 2 days without food. I have personally never had a lice or bed bug issue when flying but it could happen. Bring your own pillow or blanket on carry on. It can help. Also Tea Tree oil is a great tool because bugs don't like it and it can keep them at bay. 

4. Increased Cancer Risk: 

Studies have shown that female flight attendants are 5x more likely to contract breast cancer and other crew members are at a higher risk of melanomas. Long flights stress out the internal body clock. When this happens hormone levels change and can create an imbalance putting them at risk of tumor growth. Also, flying at high altitudes has thinner air and passengers and faculty are exposed to radiation that is 100 to 300 times higher then on the ground. 

5. Deep Vein Thrombosis: 

This problem is common with the obese and elderly but the changing of air pressure effects We all know this condition, also known as DVT, can affect the obese and the elderly. But the changes in air pressure do effect the normal circulation of the blood from the legs back to the heart and lungs. Changes in air pressure can effect the blood in the veins and force fluid out of the circulation and into the soft tissue of the lower legs. This can lead to swelling and begin to form clots. Studies have shown that during a simulated transatlantic flight, as much as four kilograms of fluid can shift from the circulation to the legs. When on flights, get up and move around. Stretch your legs and low back. You may even want to bring some type of heat or topical ointment to improve circulation. Turmeric, Coconut oil, Cayenne pepper, massage or rubbing of legs all keep your circulation moving. Make sure you are taking care of yourself when flying, your trip will go more smoothly and you will come back home happy and healthy!

6. Blood pressure may raise:

 
When you are in higher altitudes you are exposed to less oxygen.  Less oxygen means higher blood pressure.  This is not a problem for people that do not have problems with blood pressure in most cases but people that do have blood pressure issues could experience some problems.  Hypertension, heart failure, coronary heart disease among other issues can occur with flying.  

7. Earaches or temporary hearing loss:

Changes in altitude doesn't always allow your ears to adjust to the pressure caused by the difference of the air pressure outside and the air pressure inside.  

Getting chiropractic car has been shown to decrease blood pressure, help with immune and allow for better health.  Our San Francisco and Redwood City Chiropractic office helps with pain relief, posture, stress relief and general health.  Schedule an appointment today!

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Hours in the mission district, San Francisco

Monday
8-12pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
3-6PM
Thursday
8-12PM
Friday
3-8PM
Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday
Closed