As the holidays are drawing closer and you may be traveling by air to visit friends and relatives, I’d like to talk to you about some of the health concerns associated with flying and what you can do to ensure that you can stay healthy and enjoy your trip.

Airplane Cabins A Potential Breeding Ground for Illness

To begin with, air quality on most commercial air carriers is very dry, about 50% recirculated, and who knows how good, or how clean, the air filters are. You might wonder why not simply add a humidifier to the cabin air? Well, to do so would mean to increase the chances of bacteria, fungi and molds reproducing in that enclosed space that can lead to upper respiratory and other illnesses. When flights are at capacity for passengers, your chances of catching a cold or the flu from fellow passengers are much higher than traveling on a bus or a train because of the “canned” air.

There can also be a higher level of ozone in cabin air which can affect infants, those with asthma, and the elderly in how they exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Breathing is typically more shallow in these passengers and oxygen intake while flying might be decreased. This could result in asthma attacks or a condition like hypoxia, a condition caused by lack of oxygen.

Even though these potential health concerns exist, there are some important things you can do to help keep you bug-free and breathing easy on your flight:

- Immunity boosters like Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, will keep your immune response high to ward off any onboard infections.
- Hydrate: Pre/during flight, drink water. Most airport waiting areas have bottled water available at food kiosks and on board. Avoid excessive alcohol or caffeinated drinks as they can dehydrate you.
- Using a saline nasal spray during your flight will keep your nasal passages moist and less irritated. Makes it harder for bugs to gain entry.
- Get enough sleep before you fly. Adequate rest will also help boost your immune response. And you can take short naps during your flight as well.
- Wash your hands with hot water and soap before boarding and bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your carry on that you can easily access.
- If you are immunodeficient with a chronic illness and must fly, you might consider wearing a HEPA filter face mask specially formulated to keep out viruses and bacteria. It could prevent you from starting off your holiday visit in the local ER.
- Those with special oxygen needs should check with your airline carrier. Federal Aviation rules prohibit you carrying your own oxygen tank onboard. Airline carriers will provide passengers with oxygen for an extra fee.

Prolonged Sitting Poses Special Problems

For the past 10 years, medical research and the Federal Aviation Authority have been aware that air flight can contribute to the development of deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots, in passengers from prolonged sitting during longer flights. However, a few simple things can prevent you from getting a blood clot:

- Walk to the lavatory several times to get your circulation moving.
- Do calf muscle stretches. Flex your toes toward, then away from you.
- Drinking water also helps prevent blood clots.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives which contribute to circulation slowing.
- Shift your position several times to prevent blood pooling in legs.
- Consider wearing support hose during your flight.

Avoid Airplane Ear

Another potential health concern that can affect you while flying is a condition called barotrauma, or airplane ear. This occurs when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in your environment are out of balance. You feel it by your ears popping at the start of your flight when your plane climbs and at the end of your flight when it descends. Some stuffiness may result in your ears with muffled hearing. Most people, however, experience only some momentary popping sensations which can alleviated by:

- Chewing gum, yawning, or even swallowing that will correct the air pressure difference your inner ear experiences.

Airplane ear, in some cases, can be more serious and require the attention of a physician. If you experience these symptoms, please see a doctor at your earliest convenience after flight:

- Severe pain and/or bleeding from the ear.
- Hearing loss and/or tinnitus, a ringing, in your ear.
- Vertigo, or a dizzy, spinning sensation.

While there are some real health concerns to be aware of associated with flying, for the most part it should be an enjoyable part of your travel that gives you a little extra time to read a book, talk to a fellow passenger, plan your destination activities, or even take a nap. Practicing the above flying health suggestions can help you have a comfortable and ailment free trip so you can arrive at your destination and back home again refreshed and healthy!

Mark Rosenberg, M.D. Institute For Healthy Aging

http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com

General Pregnancy and Travel Factors to Think About

How many weeks pregnant will you be when you travel?
Where will you travel to?
How will you travel during pregnancy?
Is your pregnancy considered to be ‘high/higher-risk’?

There may well be other factors that your doctor will need to consider during your consultation about travel during pregnancy

How many weeks pregnant will you be when you plan to travel?

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the safest time for combining pregnancy and travel is during the second trimester (that’s 18-24 weeks) because that’s when you feel most well and the risk of complications is least. In the second trimester, any should be over and the fatigue of the third trimester should not have set in yet!

Your second trimester is probably the best time to plan travel during pregnancy!

Where will you travel to?

#1 question here is ‘Are you planning to holiday at home or abroad?’. Foreign travel is fantastic … I’m a huge fan, however, when you’re planning to travel during pregnancy you do need to consider some extra travel risks carefully …

Will you need vaccinations to travel to your destination?
Is your destination a malaria-endemic area?
What are the health-care standards in the country / countries you will visit?
Is the water safe to drink and could the food upset your tummy? Dehydration as a result of vomiting and / or diarrhoea is a very real problem for pregnant women.
Is your destination at an altitude higher than 3,658 meters or 12,000 feet?

How will you travel?

Pregnant Traveller: On Land

Bus, car and train journeys are generally considered to be safe options for pregnant travelers … but do try to limit journey time to 5-6 hours at the most. On long journeys keep your seatbelt fastened, airbag switched on and remember to take regular breaks to keep your circulation going

Trains offer the chance to move around, which is generally safe … but do remember to hold onto seatbacks or rails when walking around. Trains often have loos which is great when traveling during pregnancy … but boy can they be small and unhygienic! Have your own supply of wipes to hand! (It’s great practice for being a mom!)

Coaches worry me the most with regards to pregnancy and travel! You often can’t adjust the seats which tend to be small, as are the aisles and there are no seatbelts. My recommendation is to remain seated at all times when a bus / coach is moving

Pregnant Traveller: By Air

Air travel during pregnancy is generally considered to be safe until the eighth month. As a general rule, you may be able to fly up to 36 weeks on short-haul routes and between 32-35 weeks for long-haul flights, with appropriate certification from your doctor. You will need to check with the airline you plan to fly with what their terms and conditions relating to air travel during pregnancy are … before you book!

Pregnant Traveller: On Water

Sea travel is generally safe and a cruise can be a wonderfully relaxing and romantic holiday during pregnancy. Don’t forget to pack some acupressure sea-bands in case or motion sickness or morning sickness.

Is your pregnancy considered to be ‘high/higher-risk’?

I’m not a doctor! You need to speak to your medical professional about any travel plans you have … and if you’re aware that your pregnancy is ‘high/higher-risk’ make that call today!

Wherever you go … whatever you do … have a wonderful, safe honeymoon.

The Maternity Wedding Guide is a completely unique resource dedicated to pregnant brides looking for help and guidance with all aspects of their maternity wedding planning. It’s designed for stylish modern pregnant women seeking their dream maternity wedding dress or a dress for their pregnant bridesmaid and offers useful hints and tips for all aspects of maternity wedding planning including giving helpful advice about travel during pregnancy for honeymoons … especially cruises.