If you’re like the vast majority of the population you associate altitude sickness to backpacking, skiing, or mountain climbing. You have good reason to associate altitude sickness or mountain sickness to these activities because it’s probably the only time we’ve heard of it affecting anybody. However, after further investigation, flying has been found to be another culprit of altitude sickness.
This may seem odd because the cabin pressure inside an airplane is pressurized right? This is absolutely true, but what’s frequently overlooked is what level it is pressurized to. Federal regulations on cabin pressure state that it must be pressurized to at least 8000ft. For most people altitude sickness starts to kick in at around 8000ft.
High Altitude Sickness
As we take our bodies to higher and higher elevations, the air starts to become thinner and thinner. Our bodies have a hard time adjusting to the lack of oxygen especially if were coming from sea level.
The signs of altitude sickness on an airplane can easily be overlooked. For example, have you ever noticed how thirsty you become on an airplane? How about headaches, restlesness, or an upset stomach? Chances are you didn’t have these symptoms before you got on the plane. Consequently, all of these are symptoms of altitude sickness.
So how do you stop or prevent against these effects? Most literature out there recommends you move to a lower elevation until the symptoms stop. Pretty hard to accomplish when you’re trapped on a plane.
In my experience there are two main things, which can help alleviate altitude sickness while flying. First and foremost is to stay well hydrated. You should be drinking at least ten 8oz glasses of water the day before you fly and drink as much as possible the day of your flight.
Second, the use of an over the counter supplement that will increase circulation and blood flow to the brain which will help your body deal with the decreased oxygen in the air. Of course before taking any supplement you should first speak with a physician. With that said I look for supplements that contain Gingko Biloba. I’ve found this to work the best.
Hopefully this information will find you well and help you relax a little more the next time you fly.
Until next time,
Travel Healthy!
Travelers Defense
Learn more about altitude sickness on TD-TV
