Jet lag and co tips for long-haul flights

Long-haul flights survive well: tips for passengers

06/01/2015

For some travelers their vacation already starts on the plane. For those who are looking far away, a long-haul flight is often quite exhausting: pain from sitting for a long time, pressure on the ears, and jet lag. Some tips can help you to survive the hardships better.

Complaints on long-haul flights
Especially now in the cold season many Germans embark on a long journey into the warmth. Most of them fly into the distance. However, such a long-haul flight can be very stressful: increased ear pressure, jet lag, back pain, buttocks pain or other pain due to long sitting. Such complaints are typical when traveling to distant countries. But one is not completely helpless: some tips can help travelers to better their time on board.

Long flight can make you sick
Even if it sounds tempting at first to relax for several hours and simply not to do anything, many travelers feel tired and limp after a long-haul flight, as Prof. Thomas Löscher of the Professional Association of German Internists explained a message from the news agency dpa. A simple cold or a thrombosis: A long flight can make you sick. The expert has some advice on how to survive the long journey over the clouds:

Matching clothes for the flight
First, the travel doctor refers to the appropriate clothing. So tourists should consider before the trip, which clothes they wear on the flight. The combination of air conditioning in the plane and light clothing can quickly lead to a cold. In addition, many passengers sleep on the flight and this cools the body in addition. Therefore, Prof. Löscher advises on clothing that covers the skin on the arms and legs. Although it should not be a thick winter sweater, but also no Spaghettiträgertop. Blankets, which are usually offered by the airlines on longer flights, should be used by passengers to cover.

Get advice from the travel doctor
Tourists suffering from a chronic illness should consult with a doctor before the flight. Prof. Löscher recommends contacting a travel specialist. Patients who need regular medication at a specific time may get confused by the time difference. For them, professional advice is extremely important. In addition, it makes sense to have a medical certificate issued for accompanying medicines. „Thus, at the security checks trouble can be avoided“, said Löscher.

Rumlaufen and exercises while sitting
Another problem that bothers many when flying is the lack of exercise. On the one hand, there is often hardly any room between the rows of seats in the plane and, on the other hand, travelers usually have little legroom and only sit rigidly in their seats. Above all, people who have an increased risk of thrombosis, should move a lot during the flight. „Even if the on-board staff does not like it so much, you should - as far as you can - run around in the plane.“ Patients should also talk to a doctor in advance and have heparin prescribed to inhibit blood clotting. Most commonly used are medical compression stockings. Furthermore, Löscher advises on isometric exercises in which passengers tense their muscles. Travelers do not have to move, but can easily do the exercises on their seat, as Löscher explained. „This is not only for people at risk for thrombosis, but for everyone.“

Do without alcohol
It is also important to ensure adequate hydration. The wine for food and digestive schnapps in the connection should be left out. Tourists refrain on long-haul flights better on alcohol, otherwise not only a hangover threatens after landing. „Alcohol dries up the body“, so extinguisher. He advises travelers to drink plenty of water during the flight. This is not only healthy. „It also has the advantage of having to go to the bathroom more often.“ That in turn leads to more movement. Especially during takeoff and landing, small sips help with drinking during pressure equalization. People who drink too little may also experience symptoms such as dry mouth, constipation, fatigue or tiredness.

Adapt to the time rhythm of the destination
If passengers want to avoid jet lag, they can adapt to the timing of the destination during the flight. If arriving late at night, they should try to stay awake during the flight. But if they arrive in the morning, a nap in the plane can be worthwhile. Prof. Löscher advises passengers who can not sleep on the plane to melatonin. This hormone is involved in controlling many of the body's own rhythms, such as sleep and waking phases, and contributes to performance, body temperature, and feelings of hunger and satiety. „However, it does not work for everyone and should only be taken in consultation with a doctor.“ (Ad)

Picture: Tim Reckmann