Flight health problems

Flight health problems

Written by: Hachiro

Flight health problems

Traveling by airplane can cause or worsen certain medical conditions, although there are very few illnesses that cause a person to give up flying. Conditions that can deter a person from flying are pneumothorax, lung damage by tuberculosis, infectious diseases that can be transmitted by air, and conditions where even a small change of air could damage tissues, such as surgery on the intestines.

Of course, it is important to keep in mind that, in addition to being the fastest, modern, commercial aviation is also the safest type of transportation. However, people with certain chronic illnesses and health problems are generally advised to be cautious because air travel can cause certain problems primarily due to changes in air pressure, reduced oxygen levels, “air agitation”, disturbances in body rhythm, as well as psychological and physical stress.

Below you can read about the health issues you should be particularly careful about when flying a plane, how to act in those situations, and what it takes to get a sick person to fly.

Basic regulations when traveling by plane is a person with health problems

When it comes to transporting passengers with health problems, useful information for airlines is certainly a medical certificate from a physician who monitors the course of the illness, that the passenger is medically stable to travel by plane and does not need special medical services during the flight. This medical clearance is especially important when boarding an airplane if the crew notices that the incoming passenger is visibly ill and when they have to decide whether or not to receive him on the flight.

Today, there is a special legal regulation prescribed by the Association of International Air Carriers, which guarantees that all persons with health problems are treated without discrimination, while of course taking into account the rights, comfort, and safety of other passengers.

Aerophobia or the fear of flying a plane – how to overcome fear?

Flying by air is definitely one of the safest forms of traffic, far safer than traveling by car or generally road traffic. Despite this fact, it is estimated that almost 25 million people in the world have a fear of traveling by plane or rather suffering from aerophobia. The reason why so many people are afraid of flying is that every plane crash gets a lot of publicity, so they get the impression that they happen much more often than they really are.

Fear of airplanes, or flying, is most commonly associated with anxiety. Anxiety is a mental, emotional and even physical disturbance, and manifests as a feeling of fear, anxiety, excessive anxiety, and panic. Phobias of this type can have an extremely adverse effect on the passenger as well as on other passengers and crew.

A passenger suffering from aerophobia can be a serious threat on the fly since fear can sometimes be so intense that the aerophobic passenger tries to open a door, break a window or do some similar reckless action. In such extreme situations, the cabin crew has the right to use physical force to restrain the occupant.

Psychologists have stated that there are a number of fears that can affect aerophobia without being directly related to the fear of the plane itself. These are mainly nomophobia, which is a fear of losing the mobile signal, astrophobia – fear of inclement weather, hodophobia – fear of travel, cryophobia – fear of cold, and many others.

What matters most is that even if you belong to this group of people you should always be aware that everything is OK with the plane and your health. If you are wondering how to overcome fear, the answer is that it is not an easy task, especially since a person with a phobia loses the ability to rationally perceive it, but is the first step in treating this uncomfortable feeling. The good news is that psychologists claim that aerophobia is completely curable if you adequately approach the problem.

Travelers with mental health problems – when are they allowed on a plane and not at all?

Passengers with severe mental or neurological problems who are not under the supervision of a physician and who do not receive regular therapy undergo safety procedures on the plane which imply certain restrictions. Passengers with mental health problems often cannot be accepted for flight, both for the safety of other passengers and for their peace of mind. Psychologically unstable persons can be very unfavorable to flying, and staying alone on the plane can cause serious psychosis, stress, anger or panic attacks.

Psychosis as a state of mind can be divided into primary and secondary, depending on whether it occurs as a major disease or as a consequence of another disease. Primary psychosis involves schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis or paranoia, and people with these illnesses should never fly an airplane.

When it comes to persons with secondary psychosis, the situation is somewhat easier, so they are allowed to fly if their medical condition is controlled by professionals and if their primary illness has no contraindications for traveling by plane. Secondary psychosis occurs as a result of hypoglycemia, malaria, lupus, AIDS, cancer, syphilis or Lyme disease.

Travel guidelines for people with diabetes

Traveling by plane, especially when it comes to distant destinations, can be a real challenge for diabetics, especially if traveling through several time zones. This is especially true for those who have type I diabetes, or who are insulin-dependent. Diabetic travelers must carry all their medicines in flight, such as needles, syringes, blood glucose control kits, and glucagon emergency kits, in their luggage. If there is a need for special foods for diabetics, it is important to request them in advance, in travel documents.

Diabetics are always advised to travel with a physician’s finding containing the diagnosis, used doses of medication and a paper proving the need for syringe travel, which serves as an explanation for customs and airport security controls. Insulin should always be carried refrigerated but never frozen. Insulin can be carried and not refrigerated at room temperature, but only if used within one month, while on arrival it can be refrigerated at the prescribed temperature.

Cardiovascular problems – Tips for safe airplane flight

Cardiovascular problems are the most common reason why people who plan to travel by plane come to the doctor for advice. This is not surprising, given that numerous patients after myocardial infarction testify to the many complications that occurred on journeys within the first two weeks after the acute event, although in the observed cases there was no justifiable reason to delay the flight.

Although the recommendations vary, many experts agree that patients should not fly for at least three weeks after uncomplicated myocardial infarction. Travel for patients with myocardial infarction, complicated arrhythmia or any cardiac dysfunction should be delayed until documentation of adequate medical control is uncomplicated.

Patients recently implanted with a coronary artery bypass are not considered high-risk travelers if the postoperative flow is stable. However, as there is a risk of barotrauma related to thoracic surgery and subsequent onset of exposure to atmospheric pressure, it is advised to delay the flight for at least two weeks after surgery. Other cardiac conditions require an individual assessment of medical stability, symptoms, and the likelihood of completing the journey without complications.

Cardiac problems at risk of contraindications while flying:

• an uncomplicated myocardial infarction that occurred at least three weeks before the flight,
• a complicated myocardial infarction that occurred at least six weeks before the flight,
• unstable angina pectoris,
• serious, congestive heart failure,
• uncontrolled hypertension,
• coronary artery bypass implanted at least two weeks before the flight,
• other cardiovascular problems that occurred at least two weeks before the flight,
• uncontrolled tachycardia
• serious heart valve disease.

Travel precautions for patients with heart disease:

• all cardiac medications should be taken in full, for the entire trip and put in hand luggage before traveling,
• patients need to be informed about how to replace lost or stolen medicines,
• patients must carry copies of their most important ECG findings,
• Built-in pacemakers and implanted cardiac parts must not be affected by aerodrome safety devices;
• pacemaker patients should have an ECG taken with and without a pacemaker,
• contact the flight crew on time to provide supplemental oxygen during the flight.

Airplane ear problems

Due to sudden changes in cabin air pressure, which we normally encounter while flying an airplane, any medical condition caused by diseases involving the Eustachian tube or sinuses can lead to complications during flight. Negative pressure in the middle ear, created by clogging of the ear canal, creates a partial vacuum, which causes pain or tinnitus, dizziness, impaired hearing, or even bursting of the eardrum.

Problems with mid-air equalization or paranasal sinuses typically occur during landing and can be caused by a variety of conditions, including middle ear inflammation, acute or chronic sinusitis, allergic or inflammatory nasal congestion.

Patients who have the potential to create such problems should be aware of the use of the Valsalva maneuver (close your nose with your thumb and forefinger and exhale gently, with your mouth closed). Chewing gum and swallowing saliva more often can also be helpful. Children are best served with a bottle or pacifier, especially during takeoffs or landings.

Other issues that should be addressed

Any passenger who has undergone some surgery prior to the flight should be consulted with a doctor if it is stable enough to travel by plane. Passengers with recent abdominal, ocular and pulmonary or central nervous system operations as well as gas problems due to sudden changes in cabin air pressure are not susceptible to airplane flight.

Gases in the intestines can expand by more than 25% by volume when the plane is at an altitude of over 8,000 meters, which can cause suture rupture, bleeding or perforation of hollow abdominal organs. Passengers with recent abdominal surgery who have had complications or those with small or large bowel obstruction should also be barred from traveling by plane.

Although the advice of doctors does not always coincide with each other, it is recommended that at least seven to ten days be delayed after laparoscopy or surgery that may have allowed air to enter the body, provided, of course, that other factors of patient stability are satisfied.

Passengers with poorly repaired pneumothorax are particularly unsuitable for flying. Patients who have recently undergone a transplant are at increased risk of infection, although the concentration of microorganisms in the aircraft cabin is lower than in urban transport, for example. Patients with severe anemia, whether acute type associated with recent surgical intervention or trauma or chronic type associated with internal medical causes, should be advised to delay travel if possible.

Passengers who have recently participated in diving with a bottle are at risk of developing decompression sickness, so divers should be advised to wait at least 12 hours before the flight if they only made one dive a day. For those who dive multiple times during the day, a “decompression break” should be sought, which means advising an additional 24 hours before the flight.

Barodontalgia, or toothache resulting from changes in barometric pressure, is difficult to predict, but it occasionally occurs in patients with dental pulp disease. Therefore, it is necessary to repair any serious tooth decay before flying the plane.

Jet lag tips

Jet lag or problems associated with changes in time zones are physiological responses to long-distance travel over a relatively short period of time.

Here are some tips you can follow to help prevent symptoms:

• get a good night’s sleep before traveling
• Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol immediately before and during your trip
• eat well-balanced meals
• try adjusting to the new time zone by staying active for the visible part of the day
• practice and move
• limit your use of sleeping pills

The most important thing when traveling on an airplane that people with health problems need to keep in mind is that it is most important to consult their doctor, who knows their medical history best and to inform the airline they are traveling in a timely manner. Responsibility to oneself, and therefore to others, is the right way for everyone to lead so that no unwanted situations arise.