Sitting for extended periods during long-haul flights can have serious adverse effects on health, such as impacting heart and respiratory health, as well as muscles and joints, according to Doctor Gill Jenkins, a GP.
Flying at high altitudes can affect breathing due to lower oxygen concentration, leading to shortness of breath and chest discomfort, especially for individuals with cardiovascular disease.
Low humidity levels, and limited physical movement in airplane cabins can contribute to digestive issues such as constipation, gas expansion in the stomach, and sluggish digestion. Additionally, crossing time zones can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to irregular bowel movements and appetite changes.
Changes in sleep patterns due to jet lag and lower oxygen levels in the aircraft cabin can affect cognitive functions, mood, and cognitive performance. Noise, limited space, and crowded conditions can also contribute to stress and discomfort, impacting cognitive performance. Dry eyes, nose, mouth, and skin are common due to low humidity, high altitude, and air quality, causing discomfort and potential pain. Staying hydrated, moving around the cabin, moisturizing, and using eye drops can help alleviate these symptoms.
“At higher altitudes, your exposure to UV rays increases. Although aeroplane windows block most UVB rays, UVA rays can still penetrate, potentially causing skin damage over time,” he says. To combat all this, moisturise your skin, avoid heavy make-up, and use a good-quality SPF. Sitting down for several hours on a long-haul flight without much movement may cause muscles to stiffen and could result in joint and back problems and stiffness. During the flight, try to get up, move about and stretch once an hour. Once you have landed, it’s really important to get your body moving as soon as you can.”
Low humidity can increase tear evaporation and exacerbate dry eye symptoms such as pain, red eye, blurriness, itching, and watery eyes. Because of the dry conditions in the plane cabin, your mouth can also dry out very quickly, causing bacteria to grow on your tongue and bad breath.”
Medical doctor Simon Theobalds says “Changes in sleep patterns caused by time zone differences can affect the quality and quantity of sleep, which can have an impact on cognitive functions and mood. Low humidity levels can also lead to headaches, dizziness, and cognitive impairment.
“The lower oxygen levels in an airplane cabin may also impact cognitive performance, resulting in symptoms like forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating,” he adds. “For long flights, especially for anxious flyers, stress and anxiety can be triggered, which can affect cognitive functions and overall wellbeing.”
“Aeroplane cabins have low humidity levels, which can cause dehydration and lead to digestive issues such as constipation and discomfort The change in cabin pressure can also cause gas expansion in the stomach, leading to bloating or discomfort. Prolonged sitting during long flights can contribute to sluggish digestion and constipation. It’s crucial to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy sleep schedule.”
Gill Jenkins says: “Flying long haul can affect breathing, causing shortness of breath and sometimes chest discomfort. People at highest risk of heart issues on a plane are those who already have cardiovascular disease. Blood clots can occur for up to one month after flying, so be alert to symptoms such as swollen or painful legs, especially the calf, and breathing difficulties and clots can occur on the lungs too. Sitting in a confined space limits chest movements so you don’t breathe as deeply, and increased stress from flying can all increase the risk from existing heart problems. Dehydration, changing cabin air pressure and low oxygen concentration – modern aircraft are pressurised to an equivalent altitude of 6,000-8,000ft, so you are actually breathing in less oxygen, can all play a part. Sitting for eight hours or more can have serious adverse effects on your health, such as heart and respiratory health, as well as your muscles and joints.
“The circulating air inside an aircraft is very dry, and dehydration from not drinking enough can really exacerbate dry eyes, nose and mouth (and skin and ears).
“Affecting the nasal passages, sinus pain is common on long haul flights, particularly if you already have a cold or other respiratory tract issue, which affect the way the sinuses and nasal passages can equalise pressures following changing cabin pressure – resulting in pain across the eyes, forehead and cheek bones, especially on descent.”
