Travel discomfort
Check out these tips to reduce discomfort during air travel.
Swelling in the legs and dryness of the skin and eyes, bloating, and ear pressure are common during air travel, especially on long-haul flights, but they can be avoided or at least reduced.
Precautions to minimize discomfort begin before takeoff.
Below are some tips compiled from suggestions by the president of the Brazilian Society of Aerospace Medicine, Vânia Melhado, and the "Aerospace Medicine Handbook" from the Federal Council of Medicine:
1- Nutrition
Care should begin before the flight. Starting the day before boarding, avoid carbonated drinks, high-fiber foods, and foods that ferment (such as beans, cabbage, and cucumber), as this will worsen the feeling of bloating in the stomach, which is common among passengers.
Also avoid alcoholic beverages, as alcohol reduces the ability of brain cells to use oxygen – which is reduced on board the aircraft.
The same dietary recommendations apply during the flight. Avoid the foods listed above and opt for pasta, water, and fruit juices.
To stay hydrated, it is recommended to drink a glass of water or juice every two hours of flight.
2 - Nausea
Those who tend to get motion sickness during travel should try to sit in a window seat, preferably near the wing.
It's also advisable to avoid excessive consumption of liquids, fatty foods, spices, and soft drinks.
3 - Swelling in the legs
It's one of the most common symptoms during a flight, and it arises due to prolonged sitting. It's possible to avoid the problem even without leaving your seat: move your calves and do rotation exercises with your feet.
Those who tend to experience more discomfort can also use compression stockings on trips longer than four hours, which significantly reduces the problem.
4 - Allergy
People with rhinitis or other types of allergies should bring saline solution or nasal moisturizer, as well as any specific medications they are taking.
Before landing, it's a good idea to use a nasal decongestant to avoid pain caused by increased pressure inside the middle ear.
Anyone experiencing a crisis should speak with their doctor for guidance before traveling.
5 - Eyes and skin
Pack a moisturizer in your carry-on bag and apply it to your hands, face, and other areas of your body that tend to get dry.
Ideally, you should travel without contact lenses to avoid further drying out your eyes during the flight. If you are wearing contact lenses, you should bring a solution to moisten them during the flight.
6 - Ear discomfort
During landing, there is an increase in pressure in the middle ear, which is why you feel a sensation of partial deafness. Chewing gum or pinching your nose and then blowing are two tricks to reduce this sensation.
For babies or very young children, give them a bottle or pacifier shortly before landing. This also helps to reduce pressure.
7 - Medicines
Don't forget to pack any regularly used medications in your carry-on bag.
Taking sleeping pills is not recommended and can be dangerous. If any incident occurs and it becomes necessary to disembark quickly, the passenger will be at a disadvantage.
8 - Pre-existing conditions
People with chronic heart or lung disease, even if their condition is under control, should consult their doctor before traveling to see if any adjustments to their treatment are necessary.
9 - Jet lag
The time difference can cause fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and a mismatch between hunger and meal times upon arrival at your destination. According to a basic calculation, for every hour of time difference, it takes one day to adjust.
If your trip is only a few days long, ideally you should start this adaptation four or five days before departure. Doctors recommend trying to get as close as possible to the time zone of your destination. If the difference is two hours ahead, for example, try sleeping and eating two hours later than you are used to. If it's not possible to follow the time zone exactly, getting closer to it already helps.