It’s hard to imagine a more likely place to get sick than on an airplane. But unfortunately, this happens in many forms.
Passengers may encounter many unpleasant and even potentially dangerous situations while flying. Nausea, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, congestion, blood clots, sinus infections, tinnitus — travelers may find themselves dealing with these issues while in the air.
Severe sinus infections sometimes worsen when flying due to changes in air pressure. This can cause a popping sensation in the eardrum and in rare cases can sometimes lead to a perforation of the eardrum. And, of course, there’s motion sickness, which manifests itself as nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness.Turbulence can make the situation worse.
Getting sick while flying can be difficult to deal with. Airplanes are an interesting place because things that are easy to fix on the ground are harder to fix in the air due to a lack of resources.
However, if you get sick on a plane, there are things you can do to alleviate the problem.
Avoid looking at screens.
If you experience motion sickness, try to avoid using visual objects such as cell phones or airplane TVs. Instead, sleep. But if you can’t sleep, listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc.
If you want to avoid nausea, it is recommended that you avoid looking at the barf bags on your seats as this may make you feel more nauseated.
If you’re sitting in a window seat, keep your eyes on the horizon while avoiding unnecessary movement of your head.
Closing your eyes and applying a cold compress can often reduce the symptoms of dizziness.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
If you are experiencing nausea or gastrointestinal symptoms, try to stay hydrated as dehydration can worsen your condition. However, be sure to drink water slowly and carefully to avoid another trip to the bathroom.
Try hydrating with water instead of carbonated drinks.
The cabin environment can be very dehydrating, so take extra care to drink plenty of water during the flight, even if you don’t feel sick. Drinking enough water can also help relieve headaches and dizziness.
People don’t drink enough water when traveling, so dehydration is a common cause of headaches during flights. Sometimes dizziness is just a form of motion sickness, but sometimes it can be caused by dehydration. Especially if you drink alcohol, drink more water.
Try to eat a little food.
Sometimes, when you’re not feeling well, eating is the last thing you want to do. But do your best to jot something down.
Try bread or crackers, a small amount of something bland in your stomach that can actually relieve a little nausea.
Many experts recommend the BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—for cases of nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Travelers with chronic illnesses should also try packing useful snacks in their bags.
If you have diabetes or take insulin, make sure you bring some candy or snacks with you on the plane in case your blood sugar goes too low.
Take medicine.
It’s always a good idea to carry extra medications with you when traveling, especially if you have certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or angina. Storing at least 7 days’ worth of medications in your carry-on luggage is a useful precaution, especially if your checked luggage is lost.
For example, if you have epilepsy, she recommends keeping your epilepsy medication with you in case of emergencies. People with coronary artery disease or angina should carry nitroglycerin tablets, and anyone with a history of allergies should carry an EpiPen, in addition to informing the airline about allergies.
If you experience motion sickness while traveling, you can take medications such as dimenhydrinate to relieve it.
Many travelers bring medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol, Benadryl and Excedrin to address underlying health conditions, especially if they have a pre-existing condition.
Traveler’s diarrhea is common, so if you’re traveling to a country where it often occurs, you may want to bring treatment medication. Usually these 12 to 24 hours are bad and you have to stick with it. But you need to stay hydrated.
Stay seated.
Some illnesses that arise may require you to go to the bathroom frequently, but for the most part, you’ll want to stay in your seat when you’re sick on a plane, especially if you feel dizzy or have a headache.
Try to stay seated as standing may sometimes worsen your symptoms.
Make sure you are not standing to avoid the risk of falls and head injuries. If you’re able to lie down, that’s ideal, although this can be difficult on a plane.
If you’re able to fall asleep sitting or lying down, this is an ideal way to pass the time on the flight and keep your body still.
Dizziness can also be caused by vertigo. If you are prone to vertigo or have experienced vertigo, some medications can help. Otherwise, lower your head and close your eyes. Lowering your center of gravity can help you feel less dizzy.
Tell a flight attendant.
Vomiting or diarrhea on a flight can be embarrassing, but it’s important to let the crew know if you’re experiencing a medical issue.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, the first thing you should do is let the flight attendants know so they can provide you with medical assistance if needed. They should be able to provide you with some water or other fluids, especially if you are dehydrated. Many airlines also offer some over-the-counter medications that may help you feel better.
In extreme cases, the crew may even designate a toilet for you to use for an extended period of time, but they won’t allow you to stay in it during takeoff and landing.
If you feel dizzy and your symptoms worsen, please let the flight attendant know. The more information staff have, the easier it will be for them to provide you with appropriate help if you pass out.
The flight attendants are well trained and very nice. If you have a chronic condition—like you have diabetes and are at risk for hypoglycemia—wear a medical ID bracelet so people can read it and know to give you sugar or check your blood sugar.
It is also recommended that you carry a list of chronic conditions, allergies and medications you take when traveling.
Look out for blood clots.
Another important issue to watch out for, especially on long-haul flights, is blood clots, especially for people with a history of blood clots. The best way to prevent blood clots is to move your legs occasionally. Swelling or pain in one leg may be a sign of blood clots.
Staying still for long periods of time increases your chances of developing blood clots, and conditions such as pregnancy can further increase your risk. If you have a history of blood clots, Ching recommends walking down the aisle every few hours to avoid another clot.
You can also notify the flight attendant to get permission to move around, as long as it’s safe to do so. Compression stockings can also help.
Usually, when flying causes blood clots, they form after landing. But now, some flights last almost 20 hours. Make sure to walk every 30 to 60 minutes. If you notice one leg is more swollen than the other, you should definitely alert the crew.
Avoid flying while sick when possible.
Sometimes illnesses can occur unexpectedly during air travel, but in other cases, you may need to be careful.
Avoid flying when you are hungover or drunk. Avoid traveling when you are sick to prevent infecting others. If you have any precarious underlying health condition, please do not fly.
If you are unsure, please consult a medical professional before flying.
If you have certain lung conditions that require oxygen, they may be worsened by changes in air pressure. If you need oxygen, it’s definitely a good idea to discuss your plans with your doctor.
Also, if you’re traveling long distances, be aware of time zone changes.
Jet lag can easily cause you to miss a dose because your phone may switch to local time while your body is on the original time. Make sure you stick to any medications you take regularly so your chronic conditions don’t get worse.
Do your best to have contingency plans, even if it means postponing travel or taking precautions like wearing diapers.
It may sound complicated, but planning ahead can help prevent dire situations from arising. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your doctor before leaving.