FAMILY MEDICINE® COLUMN

By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

ON BOARD AN AIRLINER IS NOT THE TIME TO TRY OUT A NEW MEDICATION

Question: I am getting ready to go to Europe on an overnight flight. Several of my friends have said that they got sick on overnight flights and that I should take some over-the-counter antihistamine to help me sleep on the plane. I am 68 years old, have little bit of high blood pressure, and not much else. Any advice for me about flying, medicine and traveling?

Answer: A trip to Europe can be quite a great adventure. But you don’t want to get sick on the airplane. Long, overnight flights can be tough, even on younger people. Let me give you some travel tips.

Perhaps the most obvious problem we all face when traveling to far-away destinations like Europe is jetlag. It develops when your body’s internal clock gets out of sync as you pass through several time zones in a short period. This stimulates the release of sleep-inducing hormones at the wrong time.

While it’s inevitable that jetlag will slow you down for a few days on either end of your trip, there are some things you can do to lessen it’s impact. If possible, start adjusting to the new time a few days before you leave by going to bed an hour earlier each night. At the very least, start preparing for your arrival time zone as soon as you board the plane. Reset your watch and gear your activities to the arrival time zone.

While you are on the plane and for a few days before you travel, be sure you are adequately hydrated. Drink plenty of water, and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Many people experience some bowel slowdown after sitting for a long time, so the high-fiber diet and fluids will help that.

Drink plenty of fluids on the plane. Many people don’t do this to avoid airplane restrooms, but this is not a good idea. Dehydration can lead to low blood pressure and even fainting.

Also the air is very dry in airplanes due to the altitude. If you are prone to nasal dryness, a saline nasal spray would be helpful. However, because new travel restrictions, you may need to get a prescription medication from your doctor.

Unless you’re meeting a very important person immediately upon arrival, I’d recommend that you dress casual -- in loose, comfortable clothing. Wear shoes that can be easily removed. You can change into your “good” clothes after arrival.

Don’t let your ears get plugged up on the plane. This can happen especially with take-offs and landings. Chewing gum, initiating a yawning motion of the jaw and even drinking water can help open your ears.

Exercise in your seat. Do some stretching of your arms, legs and back. You can practice these at home before you leave. If allowed, try to get out of your seat briefly every hour or so and do some stretching in the aisles.

As for medication and liquor, I do not generally advise either of these. If you don’t sleep on the flight, you don’t sleep. You should discuss this with your personal physician and follow his or her advice. A plane flight is not the time to try a new medication for sleep. If your doctor prescribes something or you decide to use an over-the-counter sleep medication, try it out a week or so before you leave to be sure it agrees with you.

And, since you’re going to Europe, the good news is that you’ll have less jetlag on your east to west flight home. Have a good trip.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.