Air Travel

After long efforts of planning, discussions and booking, you are now about to board the plane. If the starting of a trip goes well, it adds to the full circle of happiness. There can be many side effects of air travel. Here are few tips for you to avoid those side effects and start off with a healthy journey.

Before boarding the plane

1. Get all the vaccinations done as per the requirement of the country you are visiting. Consult your doctor.

2. Ensure to have travel and medical insurance as per the country of travel

3. Since the air in the aeroplane is dry, keep yourself adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of water. One must have 8 – 10 glasses of water in a day

4. Empty your bladder and intestines. This will avoid your need to go to the washroom at least once in a long flight and totally avoid in short flight

5. To avoid Jet lag, follow these simple tips eat moderate, avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages as they dehydrate you, get used to the new time zones by going along with local meals and bed time schedules, last but not the least get plenty of sleep before boarding

After boarding the plane

1. If you are travelling with kids, feed them while landing and take off. This will avoid the built up of air pressure in ears.

2. Since you are travelling above 8000 ft, even normal breathing is a load on the body. Prolonged stasis of blood in the calf area can cause deep vain thrombosis (clotting) also known as Economy class syndrome.This clotting can result in swelling of limbs. So, one should contract calf muscles by walking or do feet exercises at regular intervals. Do not sit crossed legs.

3. Travellers with asthma and other diseases should carry their medicines in cabin luggage.

4. In case of ear pain, take a decongested medicine. You can swallow often and yawn wide specially during take off and landing. This will equalize the pressure in the middle ear.

5. Drink herbal tea, it will soothe your throat

6. Put your shoes on, else you will end up with swollen feet due to low cabin pressure

7. Mostly airlines have now stopped providing blankets. Carry your own thin and compact blanket

8. If you feel nausea, carry enough tissues and freshners along with paper bags to avoid inconvenience in the air

Nidhi KM

WWW.Viharin.com