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What issues can arise on a long haul flight?Â
- The main complaints tend to be irritating more than anythingÂ
- Becoming dehydrated – can lead to headaches, dry mouth, dry noseÂ
- Not being able to sleep, ankle swellingÂ
- Cramped conditions, especially in economy class seats!Â
- More serious: deep vein thrombosis – leg clots due to not moving around.Â
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How do we improve comfort?Â
- Really important to stay hydrated - plenty of fluid.Â
- Wear loose fitting clothes – you want to be comfortable.Â
- Carry lip balm or nasal spray to moisten nasal passages if dry - for comfort.Â
- Don’t drink alcohol or overdrink alcohol – it can worsen dehydration, headache and interfere with sleep.Â
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Are there issues with food and taste?Â
- At 30,000 feet your taste buds don’t’ work as well and food tastes ‘bland’.Â
- Also, your nose can dry out which affects taste.Â
- Airlines tend to produce stronger flavoured food such as curries to compensate.Â
- Up to 30% more sugar and salt in food to add to taste.Â
- Don’t overeat as we tend to bloat as gas forms in abdomen, which can cause abdominal discomfort. Â
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And sleep?Â
- Carry eye shade and ear plugs, and a neck pillow is a really good idea.Â
- Best thing to do is work out the sleep time at your destination before you go and try and sleep at that time on the flight.Â
- Some use melatonin, a ‘sleep hormone’Â
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How do we avoid blood clots?Â
- Two key things – stay hydrated and get up and move around every 3-4 hours to get blood circulating.Â
- Failing that wiggle toes and bend knees in your seat frequently.Â
- Some choose to wear compression of flight stockings which encourage blood to circulate.Â
- They also reduce ankle swelling!Â
- If you have persistent leg swelling, chest pain or SOB in weeks after a long-haul flight – see your GP!Â
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