Here’s what experts recommend when you’re sick in the sky.
Its hard to imagine a worse place to get sick than on an airplane.
A bad sinus infection can sometimes worsen when you fly because of the change in air pressure,Dr.
Danielle Qing, an assistant professor and internal medicine specialist at Mount Sinai, told HuffPost.
Turbulence can make it even worse.
Getting sick while flying can be hard to handle.
HuffPost asked doctors to share their advice for dealing with in-flight illnesses:
1.
Avoid looking at screens.
But if you cant sleep, listen to something like music, a podcast or an audiobook.
Stare at the horizon if you are in a window seat,Dr.
Rabia De Latour, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said.
She also recommended avoiding unnecessarily moving your head.
Qing offered similar advice in the event of dizziness.
Closing your eyes and applying a cold compress can often lessen the symptoms, she said.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Be sure to drink your fluids slowly and carefully, however, to avoid another trip to the bathroom.
Attempt hydration with water, not carbonated beverages, De Latour said.
Getting ample H2O can help with headaches and dizziness as well.
Sometimes dizziness is just a version of motion sickness, but sometimes it can be from dehydration, too.
Particularly if you had alcohol, take in some extra water.
3. make a run at eat a little food.
Sometimes, eating is the last thing you want to do when youre feeling sick.
But do what you might to get a little something down.
Try some bread or crackers, Chandler said.
Travelers with chronic conditions should make a run at pack helpful snacks in their bags, too.
If youve experienced motion sickness while traveling, take medication like Dramamine to help with that, Chandler said.
Usually its a crummy 12 to 24 hours that you just have to tough out.
But you oughta stay hydrated.
attempt to stay seated, as sometimes standing could worsen your symptoms, Qing said.
double-check you are not standing to avoid fall risk and head injury, De Latour added.
Dizziness could also be from something called vertigo, Chandler said.
If youve got either a predisposition to vertigo or have experienced it, some medicines can help.
Otherwise, keep your head down and eyes closed.
Having your center of gravity a little lower can help you feel less dizzy.
Tell a flight attendant.
They should be able to get you some water or other fluids, especially if you are dehydrated.
Many airlines also carry some over-the-counter medications that might help you feel better.
Let a flight attendant know if youre feeling dizzy and your symptoms are worsening as well.
Flight attendants are incredibly well trained, Chandler said.
He also recommended traveling with a list of your chronic illnesses, allergies and medications you take.
Look out for blood clots.
The best defense against blood clots is to simply move your legs every once in a while.
Swelling or pain in one leg can be a sign of a blood clot forming.
Usually, when a flight causes blood clots, they develop after you land.
But these days, some flights are almost 20 hours long, Chandler said.
double-check to walk around every 30 to 60 minutes.
Avoid flying while sick when possible.
Sometimes, illness develops unexpectedly during air travel, but in other cases, you might have a heads-up.
Avoid flying when hungover or withdrawing from alcohol, De Latour said.
Avoid traveling while sick, also to prevent infecting others.
Dont fly if you have any instability in your underlying medical condition.
Consult with a medical professional before flying if youre unsure.
If you are on oxygen, its definitely a good idea to discuss your plans with your doctor.
Also, pay attention to time zone changes if youre traveling a long distance.
confirm you stay up on whatever medications you take on a regular basis so your chronic illness isnt exacerbated.
This might sound complicated, but planning ahead can help prevent a scary situation, Qing said.
If you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask your doctor before you leave.
Thats why were here.
This article originally appeared onHuffPost.
