|
|
 |
| |
| |
Our guide on Prestwick Airport health risks when flying will help any anxious traveller feel more relaxed about travelling. Here we give details on the in-flight health issues experienced passengers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prestwick Airport Health Risks When Flying ... |
|
|
|
|
Very few passengers ever suffer with any serious or major illnesses when flying. Even the highly published Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT - is actually quite rare.
However, to set your mind at ease we have listed the possible in-flight health problems that might be experienced, along with their symptoms and measure you can take to best try to avoid
them.
|
|
|
| |
|
Prestwick Airport In-flight Health ... |
|
|
|
|
|
| Flying, especially long-haul flights, can expose some passengers to a numbe of in-flight ill health risks. However, this is fairly rare, and most passengers that do suffer with any in-flight health problems are those who are either susceptible to ill health, or have recently had major surgery. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis ... |
|
|
|
|
|
| Deep Vein Thrombosis - What is DVT? |
| |
DVT is when the blood clots in one of the deep veins of either the calf, thigh or pelvis. Normally this happens because the blood flow's become slow and sluggish, and the blood is dehydrated, especially if the person has recently had abdominal surgery, heart disease or given birth.
DVT is not helped on a flight as passengers find it difficult to move freely around the cabin and a subject to cramped seats for long periods of time. |
| |
| Persons At Risk From DVT? |
| |
- Persons over 40
- A family history of DVT
- Recent surgery, especially leg or abdominal surgery, or an injury to the knees or hips
- Being pregnant or recent childbirth
- Cancer, and some cancer treatments
- Circulation and heart problems
- Obesity
|
| How To Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis |
| |
- Drink lots of water before and during your flight and avoid alcohol too
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Exercise your lower leg muscles even sitting but stretching out reguarly
- Leave the seat in front of you free so you can stretch out your feet
- Get up and walk around the cabin hour or two
- Wear flight socks/graduated compression stockings
|
| DVT Symptoms |
| |
Often DVT shows no symptoms, and sometimes, if they do show up they can take up to a week or more to develop.
DVT in itself can be treated quite easily, however, what is more concerning is the sequel to DVT. This is where a piece of the blood clot, called a pulmonary embolus, breaks off and travels to the right side of the heart, causing heart problems or even heart attack. |
| |
- Aching and soreness in the calf
- Swelling in the ankle or calf
- Moderate fever and feeling unwell
- Symptoms might not develop for several days or even weeks.
|
| Reporting DVT |
| |
If you think you might have DVT then contact your Doctor straight away.
If you are overseas then speak to your holiday Rep or airline straight away. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Cabin Pressure Sickness ... |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Cabin pressure sickness is a common in-flight health illness. This is because planes are pressurized differently than we are used to. It's a much lower pressure that has less oxygen and is dryer. Cabin pressure sickness can make passengers suffer from some of the following: |
| |
- Cabin pressure can make your ears hurt during take-off or landing so swallow often by chewing gum or sucking a sweet.
- Try to avoid alcohol as it has 2 to 3 times the effect of a drink at sea level and could make you feel sick
- Dehydration is a big problem on longer flights so avoid this by drinking water throughout the flight
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Common Motion Sickness... |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| Motion sickness is another common illness when flying, but again it's not serious. Try these helpful tips if you do suffer from motion sickness: |
| |
- Ask for a window seat
- Or a seat over the wings
- Don't drink alcohol for 24hrs before flight
- Keep your seat belt fastened during flight
- Try natural remedies that help motion sickness:
|
- Vitamin B6 - alleviate dizziness
- Magnesium - reduces stress and stomach acidity
- Peppermint - prevents vomiting plus has antispasmodic properties
- Ginkgo Bilboa - prevents chronic dizziness and light- headedness
- Ginger extract - prevents nausea
|
- Speak to your doctor if you know your motion sickness will be very uncomfortable
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| If you are currently taking medication and will be doing so when you come to flying then it is vital you take the medicines you need to in advance of travel and that you pack them all in your hand luggage. Also pack additional supplies for any delays that might occur to your journey. |
| |
- Carry ALL your medicines in your hand luggage, taking enough to cover any delays
- If you suffer from epilepsy or diabetes carry your notification and ID card, plus the contact details of your Doctor
- If your medical condition is extremely serious it's worth advising the airline in advance of travel
- Always check you have had the correct vaccinations to ensure safe and healthy travel
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Jet Lag - Preventions & Cures ... |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Jet lag is caused when the body's own clock thinks it's a different time than it actually is, resulting in you either being tired during the day and wide awake at night.
Jet lag is commonly worse the more time zones you've travelled through and when travelling east.
Try these helpful tips on preventing, and curing, jet lag: |
| |
- Try and get your eating pattern closer to the meal times of the Country you're travelling to
- Reset your watch to your new destination time once you take off
- Eat small meals and drink lots of water
- The odd caffeine drink can help mask fatigue for a day or two
- Herbal sleeping pills can sometimes help at night time
- The odd nap during the day can help, but only for 30 minutes, and only one or two a day
- Ginseng has been known for centuries to fight fatigue
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
