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become an air travel health expert with help-me-park's guide to travel health. |
Help-me-park.com bring you important travel health information - from your favourite Gatwick Airport valet meet and greet parking contractor. Always remember that chauffer meet & greet airport parking really is the best way to start and end your travel through Gatwick Airport. |
| Skip to the relevent sections of this page by using these links: |
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• Air Travel Advice On Motion Sickness
• Air Travel Advice On Oxygen
• Air Travel Advice On Gas Expansion
• Dehydration Air Travel Advice
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Flying With Medical Needs
• Health Advice When Flying And Pregnant
• Onboard Medical Assistance
• Disinsecting An Aircraft
• Flying After Scuba Diving
• Jet Lag |
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| It’s very important, when flying, to be aware of any health issues you may experience. With flights, especially long-haul flights increasing, the health risks when flying have also increased. Read on for information and advice on air travel health. |
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Flying overseas, and general air travel, has increased hugely in recent years and is continuing to grow. In fact, air travel is expected to rise by 4.4% annually until 2015.
The popularity and accessibility of long-haul travel has also increased. With the modern World’s larger and more powerful aircraft eradicating the need for stop overs, flights are generally longer and carry more passengers. As a result of both the increase of passengers and the lengthier flights, this means that more and more of us are exposed to the potential health risks when flying. It is worth noting however that most passengers travel without suffering from any form of air travel health problems as a result of flying. The majority of passengers who do suffer with health problems when flying are those who are travelling when not in the best of health, whether that is general ill-health or a recent one-off health condition.
The following air travel advice guide gives health advice when flying on each of the possible areas of ill-health passengers can be exposed to so you can become your own air travel health expert. |
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Air Travel Advice On Motion Sickness |
Motion sickness, often referred to as travel sickness, is a reasonably common travel health problem and as such, some passengers can suffer from travel sickness when flying. At their mildest, symptoms can include a feeling of uneasiness and general discomfort. At worst you may feel sick in the stomach and then develop symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and tiredness. If the symptoms continue then motion sickness can become worse and lead to sweating and vomiting – which can be severe.
The symptoms of motion sickness are brought on by the brain receiving conflicting messages from the senses about the environment. For example your eyes may be sensing that you are stationary, but your ears and pressure sensors suggest that you are moving. Emotional factors and anxiety are also involved in causing travel sickness to occur.
Various drugs are available to help treat motion sickness but they all need to be taken before the journey takes place. Some are available to buy over the counter and others will need a prescription. Two examples are:
Hyoscine
Antihistamine drugs
Ask your doctor before you travel about taking these drugs to help prevent travel sickness.
There is also some evidence that foods such as ginger have a beneficial effect on travel sickness - this is more likely to be from an effect on the digestive system than anything else but many people claim that eating a little crystallised ginger before and during your journey can help a lot.
Other things you can do to help the symtoms of motion sickness whilst you are on your flight are to drink plenty of water, try to get as much rest as you possibly can and take regular visits to the bathroom. It is also advisable to avoid eating rich or ‘heavy’ meals before you travel and possibly to avoid eating during your flight as this may contribute to you having a feeling of sickness during your flight. |
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Air Travel Advice On Oxygen |
Every aircraft carries a generous amount of oxygen for both air travellers and cabin crew. The only difference is that the body carries a slightly reduced amount of oxygen in the blood because the cabin’s air pressure is lower than passengers are used to at sea level. However, this does not normally affect a healthy passenger in any way and therefore does not cause any air travel health problems.
It’s worth noting that a passenger suffering from certain medical conditions, for example lung or heart disease, or blood disorders such as anaemia, may not cope with the reduced oxygen level very well. Any passenger suffering from such conditions can still travel safety – simply inform the Airline in advance of travel to arrange additional oxygen supplies during the flight. |
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Air Travel Advice On Gas Expansion |
When an aircraft both climbs and descends the cabin’s air pressure causes gases to expand in the body. This can therefore have an effect on a passenger’s health when flying as gas gets trapped in the body.
Normally, when an aircraft is climbing, gas and air escape from the ear and sinuses without problem, although sometimes a popping sensation can be felt in the ear. Then, when the aircraft descends for landing the air flows back into the ear and sinuses so to equalise the pressure differences.
It’s when this process doesn’t happen correctly that the ears can feel blocked, and sometimes cause pain. If you are prone to suffering from cabin pressure try chewing gum, sucking a sweet or drinking through a straw so you are constantly swallowing upon take off and landing. And to unblock the ear, try blowing your nose whilst pinching it shut.
Health advice when flying for passengers with pre-existing sinus problems should try using decongestant nasal drops, or consult a Doctor before travel.
In addition, some passengers may suffer from discomfort in their abdomen whilst flying due to gas expansion. |
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Dehydration Air Travel Advice |
Due to the lower humidity experienced in the aircraft’s cabin some passengers may suffer from dry skin. Some may also suffer from discomfort in the mouth, eyes, nose and ears, although no serious health problems exist. Simply applying a moisturising lotion can help to relieve dry skin. Avoid wearing contact lenses as eyes can dry out, and the use of a saline nasal spray can help relieve sore noses.
When you are flying it is very important to drink lots of water. It is also best to avoid, or at least limit, the intake of both alcohol and caffeine as these cause dehydration that can be amplified when flying. |
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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) |
Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT as it is commonly known, is caused by long periods of immobility, notably on a long-haul flight. DVT is when the blood clots deep within the veins of the legs causing swelling, stiffness and discomfort. In most instances cases of DVT aren’t severe, and mostly occur in passengers who are not in good-health or have recently undergone major heart surgery, are extremely overweight, suffering from certain forms of cancer or have a family history of blood-clotting abnormalities.
ny passengers considered at a high risk should seek medical advice from a Doctor well in advance of travel.
Whilst few passengers ever actually suffer from DVT there are steps and health advice when flying that all air travellers can take to help reduce the chances of suffering from DVT: |
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Move about the cabin every hour or so.
Whilst seated stretch out the legs, in particular the calf muscles, and rotate the ankles.
Drink plenty of water both before and during the flight.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine before and during the flight.
Wear flight socks, also known as compression stockings, during the flight. |
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Flying With Medical Needs |
Whilst most passengers suffering from a pre-existing medical condition travel by air without any complications, there are instances when an airline has the right to refuse travel to any passenger who carries a health and safety risk to crew and fellow passengers. This includes anyone who may require urgent medical attention onboard the flight, or who’s condition will be worsened by air travel.
In some instances a passenger may be required to provide a medical card to confirm their health that proves medical clearance, thus the passenger is safe to travel. Frequent flyers can apply for a Frequent Traveller medical card which negates the need to re-apply for a card each and every time air travel is undertaken.
It is always advised that passengers who have recently undergone any surgery, been recently hospitalised or suffers from illnesses including cancer, heart or lung disease, should consult their Doctor regarding health advice when flying before travel. |
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Health Advice When Flying And Pregnant |
| It is normally perfectly safe for women to fly whilst pregnant. However, most Airlines restrict travel in the late stages of pregnancy. The current air travel health guidelines for air travel for pregnant women are: |
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after 28 weeks a note from the passenger’s Doctor or Mid-wife to confirm that the pregnancy is normal and to verify the expected due date
flying is permitted up until 36 weeks for single pregnancies
and up until 32 weeks for a multiple pregnancyPlease note that it is not advised that any baby under 7 days old travels by air. Seek advice from a Doctor should air travel be necessary. |
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Onboard Medical Assistance |
By law all Airlines are required for cabin crew to be fully trained in first aid, with many trained to recognise a full range of medical conditions. Aircraft must also carry a minimum level of medical equipment.
The typical medical equipment carried on an aircraft undertaking an International flight, for example, would be: |
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at least one first aid kit
a medical kit for use by a Doctor or qualified medical practitioner
an automated external defibrillator for use by the cabin crew in cases of cardiac arrestIn the case of a medical emergency cabin crew have the facilities to contact a medical professional on the ground for advice on how to manage the situation. |
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Disinsecting An Aircraft |
| In countries where serious disease, such as malaria and yellow fever, is spread by insects, aircrafts undergo what’s known as disinsecting, before take off and landing, with a quick-acting insecticide. This process happens whilst passengers are onboard. Treatment causes no ill-effects on passengers. In addition, sometimes the interior of the aircraft is treated before passengers board the plane. |
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Flying After Diving |
| Any passenger planning to dive before their flight should not do so 12 hours before hand. The reduced cabin pressure onboard the aircraft can lead to decompression sickness. If multiple dives have taken place in one day then it is advised not to fly for at least 24 hours after diving, and longer if a passenger has needed to take decompression stops during ascent to the surface during a dive to deeper depths. |
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Jet Lag |
Jet lag is one of the most common problems when flying, although it is in no way a serious health risk. Jet lag occurs when the body’s internal clock is running out of sync with the actual time. Jet lag is most common when several time zones have been crossed, and notably when travelling east to west, or west to east.
Normally jet lag passes after a day or two.
The best ways to try and avoid jet lag are: |
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by taking short naps through the flight
eating lighter meals and closer to the meal times of the destination
avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated drinks
the use of ear plugs and eye mask can help aid sleep |
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Some more Travel Health advice from Help-me-park.com |
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If you are travelling from Gatwick Airport to an EU country don’t forget to get your EHIC, this is avaialble free and will cover most if not all of any medical expenses you should incur in the EU.For more information visit: www.ehic.org.uk |
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Buy travel insurance - click for a quote here |
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visit www.dh.gov.uk/travellers general medical advice |
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Check what vaccinations you need with your GP at least six weeks before your depature from Gatwick Airport |
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Check that your medication is not illegal in the country that you are visiting. |
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Pack all medication in your hand luggage, but check out our hand luggage updates just before you finally leave for Gatwick Airport. |
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take the prescription and a doctors letter with you if you are taking prescribed medication |
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know your bodys sun factor and wear the correct suntan lotion - sun stroke really sucks !!! |
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always drink plenty of water, don’t pack it in your hand luggage before Gatwick Airport passport control , buy it airside. |
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practice safe sex - not all countries are the same. We are watching you so behave !! |
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Find out the local emergency number and the address of the nearest hospital when you arrive overseas. Your holiday rep or accommodation manager be able to tell you. |
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Help-me-park.com wish all our customers a great holiday, we hope that this information helps you to continue with a great travel experience - of course after using Gatwick Airports finest meet and greet valet parking company we would hate for anyting else to taint your experience. Please feel free to tell your friends about our Gatwick Airport parking service and the concept of meet and greet airport parking, and to book mark our home page or add it to your social book marks. It is only truly through feedback from our valued airport parking customers that we are able to make this the best meet and greet parking
web site, to go along with the finest Gatwick Airport valet meet & greet parking service. If you find any information within our airport parking website that is incorrect please let us know.
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click this link for more airport lounge information |
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