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Tips to better manage health during flight

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Korean Air's B787-10 / Courtesy of Korean Air
Korean Air's B787-10 / Courtesy of Korean Air

By Kim Hyun-bin

The month of July officially signals the start of the summer vacation season, with hundreds of thousands of Koreans planning to explore other countries. But if one does not take care of themselves during a flight, it could easily affect the rest of their trip. Korean Air's Aeromedical Center released some useful tips to better manage one's health during flights.

Stretching for better blood circulation

Sitting on an aircraft for long hours can be difficult to endure especially for the body as it tends to bloat from the velocity and atmospheric pressure. But in most cases, the body returns to normal after taxiing on the ground. However, for a more comfortable flight, people should avoid clothes and accessories that are tight.

Experts advise passengers to take off tight accessories, belts and rings and wear looser and more comfortable clothes and sneakers once airborne instead of tight jeans and heels.

Constant stretching and walking around the aisles is good for blood circulation. Try to avoid crossing legs while seated. Simple massages of different parts of the body including the hands, neck and feet also help blood circulation.

Correct info on in-flight safety and aerophobia

It is said around 10 percent of adults feel aerophobia with symptoms including difficulty breathing and a fast heartbeat. To better overcome these fears, people should have a correct understanding of flight safety.

Aviation is the safest transportation method in the world, with the lowest accident and death rates.

To reduce aerophobia and tension, one is advised to sit upright and watch in-flight movies or shows or listen to music.

Sleeping to prevent airsickness

The atmospheric pressure inside an aircraft in flight is a similar level as that at the summit of Mount Halla, so the air in the body expands, often making people feel bloated and have difficulty with digestion. So experts advise people to consume food in smaller portions and avoid carbonated drinks.

When feeling airsick, people should minimize head movements, recline the seat and try to get some sleep as airsickness doesn't occur while one is asleep.

If prone to severe airsickness, one should take some medication for nausea before boarding the plane. A nausea patch should be put behind the ear at least six hours before takeoff, and a nausea pill should be swallowed at least two hours before takeoff.

Drinking water or yawn against aerotitis

Passengers might feel aerotitis or inflammation of the middle ear during the flight especially when the plane is landing, which is due to drastic changes in atmospheric pressure.

To prevent aerotitis, people can try the Valsalva maneuver, which is pinching the nose shut and closing their mouth while trying to exhale like they're blowing up a balloon. They are also advised to swallow saliva a couple of times while pinching their noses, or to chew gum, drink water or yawn to ease the symptoms.

Aerotitis is more common among young children and babies, so parents should continuously check on their condition during flight. When departing or taxiing, sucking on a piece of candy or baby bottle can help them ease the symptoms.

Adjusting sleep time against jet lag

Traveling to a country in a different time zone can change one's biorhythm and create jet lag.

To prevent jet lag, experts advise travelers to abstain from alcohol before the flight and get plenty of rest. When the time difference is six hours or more, people are advised to begin adjusting their sleep schedules two to three days in advance.

When traveling to a European country from Korea, it is recommended to sleep about an hour later than usual and when going to the Americas, an hour earlier.

When catching a night flight, people are advised to stay hydrated and wear a blindfold to get better sleep.


Kim Hyun-bin hyunbin@koreatimes.co.kr


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