6 Things That Happen To Your Body When Flying
July 17, 2019
source: 123RF
If you travel every now and then by plane, you may have noticed that when your flight is over, your body doesn’t feel like it usually does. It’s not just you who feels this way — there are actually multiple scientific reasons that can explain why you feel slightly off after flying. Here are those reasons and how to combat them.
1. Germ Exposure
While on an airplane, the oxygen within the cabin is being constantly recirculated. Because no one on the plane has access to fresh air, germ exposure is at an all time high. People with coughs, colds, and other contagious viruses will pass their germs along to other passengers, making it likely that you will become sick after a flight. Bring hand sanitizer with you on the plane, and consider taking vitamins and supplements before flying.
2. Dehydration
Have you ever noticed that you’re constantly thirsty while flying? This is because there is such a low level of humidity on airplanes, and your body uses its natural water levels to compensate for it. To avoid dehydration and coinciding headaches, try to drink lots of water before, during, and after your flight.
3. Lower Oxygen Intake
Unfortunately, there’s little you can do about this one. But just to break it down, the pressurization in plane cabins leads to lower oxygen levels in your blood. If you find yourself with a headache or feeling lightheaded, this could be why.
4. Bloated Feeling
Speaking of cabin pressurization, this can also place pressure on your digestive system, causing you to become uncomfortable and bloated. Drinking lots of water throughout your flight can help to combat this.
5. Altered Taste And Hearing
Flying at high altitudes combined with cabin pressurization can lead to your taste and hearing becoming numbed. There’s not a ton you can do about these things, and both will go back to normal shortly after your flight is over.
6. Fluid Build-Up
Between sitting for extended periods of time and cabin pressurization, your body tends to build up fluid and decreases blood flow. To target both of these things, try getting up and walking up and down the cabin aisle from time to time (when it’s safe to do so).