Many travelers experience annoying health problems during air travel, most notably bloating and digestive disorders, which are common symptoms that can spoil the enjoyment of travel, especially on long flights.
Experts confirm that changes occurring inside the aircraft cabin, such as decreased pressure, humidity, and reduced movement, directly affect the body and cause a number of temporary health symptoms.
In this context, Dr. Megan Rossi, a specialist in digestive health and a researcher at King's College London, explained that bloating during air travel is a very common problem, even among people who do not suffer from chronic digestive diseases.
Rossi said that the decrease in cabin pressure as the plane climbs causes gases to expand inside the stomach and intestines, causing bloating, pain, and gas, a condition sometimes called "high-altitude irritable bowel syndrome".
The expert offered three simple tips to minimize this problem while traveling:
First, reduce your intake of foods high in FODMAPs Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols should be consumed 24 to 48 hours before travel. This term refers to a group of short-chain carbohydrates that are difficult for the intestines to absorb and may increase bloating symptoms in some people, especially those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Foods high in FODMAPs include garlic, onions, apples, pears, cauliflower, and cow's milk. Easier options for digestion include oats, sourdough bread, green beans, kiwis, walnuts, and peanuts.
Secondly, avoid gas triggers before the trip, such as carbonated drinks, chewing gum, and large, fatty meals, as these increase gas buildup and slow down digestion.
The third piece of advice is to drink enough water and move around as much as possible during the trip, because dehydration and lack of movement increase digestive problems and feelings of bloating.
The effects of air travel are not limited to the digestive system only, as doctors also warn of other health problems that may be associated with flying, especially during long flights.
General practitioner Shuzab Khan explained that sitting for long periods inside the plane, along with dehydration, low oxygen levels, and humidity, may increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, a condition in which blood clots often form in the legs.
The danger of these clots lies in their potential to travel to the lungs, which could cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Disruption of the biological clock, or what is known as "jet lag," is also a common problem, as rapid movement between time zones leads to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and dizziness as a result of changes in the production of the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for regulating sleep.
Khan also pointed out that the airplane cabin is a suitable environment for the transmission of colds, due to the low humidity and the close proximity of passengers, which explains why some travelers catch colds after frequent flights.
