Any flight can be a serious stress for the body. For example, avoiding airplanes is for people with various infectious diseases and heart failure. Irina Gubanova, general practitioner in INVITRO-Voronezh, told socialbites.ca about this.
According to the expert, people with the following diseases and conditions should not fly by plane: acute infectious diseases, obstructive decompensated heart failure (oedema, shortness of breath), uncontrolled bronchial asthma, polyvalent allergies or allergies with frequent exacerbations, women 36 weeks pregnant, sinusitis, otitis, severe diabetes with diabetes mellitus.
“Pressure differences negatively affect the work of the cardiovascular system, intracranial pressure rises, congestion in the ears is observed. A decrease in atmospheric pressure disrupts the oxygen supply to the tissues, which causes hypoxia and can worsen the condition of people with respiratory diseases, shortness of breath and moderate to severe anemia. Pressure drops also affect intra-abdominal pressure, so people with gastrointestinal disease and pregnant patients should be careful during an exacerbation,” explained the expert.
Dry air on a plane also causes drying of the mucous membranes and skin, which at best causes discomfort. A large crowd of people, excitement, causes the release of large amounts of stress hormones that raise blood pressure and speed up the heartbeat. The condition worsens significantly in people who have panic attacks. And people with acute infectious diseases can infect others.
“In connection with prolonged sitting on the plane, there are risks for people with musculoskeletal diseases, arthrosis, diseases of the spine, as well as thrombophlebitis. According to WHO, the risk of blood clots and occlusion of blood vessels increases by 2 times in flights over 4 hours.
At the same time, there is no specific risk group by gender and age, it all depends on the state of health.
“The stiffness of blood vessels increases with age. In most cases, older people suffer from cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as type 2 diabetes, bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They fall into the risk group, ”explained the doctor.
In addition, people with chronic diseases should always have a first aid kit with the medicines they use when their condition worsens. Persons with aerophobia should consult a psychoneurologist, take sedatives before the flight and clarify the presence of an oxygen pillow on the plane. People with food allergies need to clarify the menu in advance. In addition to compression stockings, people with chronic venous insufficiency should do mini-foot exercises, roll from heel to toe, walk in the cabin every half hour (if allowed by the airline). It is better for the elderly to travel with an escort. It is recommended that you sleep well before the flight and do not drink coffee, energy drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Formerly socialbites.ca Wrote about a simple way not to be afraid to fly in an airplane.