Before departure

It is always important to be prepared for the trip you are taking:

• plan ahead:
  if you are going to exotic destinations or developing countries, you might need to get some vaccination before you leave. Don't forget that a full malaria immunisation procedure might take as much as 4 weeks to complete.
  
  
• don't forget your medication:
  if you require any medication for your continuing health, don't forget to take some extra supplies with you. It's also a very good idea to take you physician's prescripion with you for reference.
  If you have any critical medication, put it in your hand luggage instead of your other baggage.
  
  
• get comfortable:
  take plenty of rest and leave for the airport on time, so you don't need to rush yourself. Avoid heavy meals before any flight and try to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.

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The healthy traveller

Flying is no longer the dangerous adventure it used to be. Nowadays, the aircraft cabin offers a safe, comfortable environment for travellers. Still, there are a number of health topics which can be of use to travellers:

• turbulence:
  For most passengers turbulence, cabin vibrations during the flight, cause no harm. But for some travellers, turbulation can lead to air sickness. Your physician can prescribe medication to counter this effect. Air sickness is often caused because your senses (eyesight, balance...) receive contradictory signals. If you do experience air sickness in flight, you can try to counter this by switching to a window seat and fixing your sight on the horizon.
  
  
• cabin pressure:
  Although the percentage of oxygen in the cabin hardly varies during the flight, there are fluctuations in the air pressure when the aircraft changes altitude. Because the change in air pressure inside the cabin is very gradual, most passengers won't experience any effects. If the pressure change does bother you (usually when the plane descends), you can easily remedy this by swallowing. So try to get hold of some candy or a chewing gum.
  When the passenger's airways are already (partially) blocked, such as when the passenger has a cold, the effects of the pressure change might be more persistent. If they don't go away by chewing, don't hesitate to ask the cabin crew for assistance. They usually know some tricks to relieve the symptoms.
  
  
• air quality:
  The air inside the cabin is a combination of outside air and filtered circulation air. Research has shown that the air inside the cabin is clean and safe. Because of the efficiency of the filtering systems and the constant inflow of very dry and sterile outside air, the air quality in the cabin is comparable to air which is filtered by high intensity air filters, such as hospitals use.
  
  
• low air humidity:
  the relative humidity in the aircraft cabin is comparable to that of a dry summer season or a heated house in the winter. Under these conditions, you might suffer from a dry mouth or throat, so it's advisable to drink a bit more water than you usually do.
  Be moderate when drinking beverages containing alcohol or cafeine, as these speed up the dehydration process.
  If you wear contact lenzes, be sure to take some lense fluid with you.
  
  
• jetlag:
  your biorhytm (or biological clock) can get seriously confused if you travel over different timezones. This is called jetlag, and it can cause fatigue, loss of apetite...
  Per timezone you cross (each timezone means +/- 1 hour difference), your body needs 1 day to adjust to your new day/night cycle. However, research shows that travellers recuperate faster when they have travelled from East to West.
  You can limit the effects of jetlag by having a very good night's rest before you leave and by holding on to your normal sleep/wake pattern if you don't spend more than 48 hours at your destination.
  
  

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Deep Vein Thrombosis

• What is DVT?
  DVT refers to the formation of a blood clot witihn a deep vein, usually in the thigh or calf. The clot can either partially or completely block the flow of blood in a vein
  
  
• What are the causes and who is at risk?
  DVT occurs when the flow of blood in a vein is restricted and a clot forms. It can be caused by poor circulation because of problems such as heart disease, a recent heart attack or stroke, varicosis or from prolonged inactivity.
  In this option, DVT may develop whenever a passenger is confined to a cramped space - such as an economy seat - on long flights, hence the nickname 'Economy Class Syndrome'.
  
  However, DVT is not limited to economy class, or even to air travel, but can occur as a result of other circumstances, such as the aftermath of radiation therapy, pregnancy, injury to a vein, severe infections (liver disease and some cancers).
  
  DVT is more common in the elderly and the very overweight, during pregnancy, in smokers and those with coronary artery diseases and certain blood conditions.
  
  
• Common symptoms and complications of DVT
  Symptoms of DVT include:
  - tenderness and redness of the affected area
  - pain and swelling in those areas
  - fever
  - rapid heart beat
  - joint pain and soreness
  
  
• What can you do to prevent DVT?
  Your chances of developing DVT from a long flight are thought to be only one in several million, but you can take simple measures to reduce this risk still further. Have a single low-dose aspirin before boarding the flight. This helps thin the blood. But do make sure to consult with your physician before you do so.
  
  During the flight, do not just sit still all the time. There are some very easy exercises you can do to keep your circulation going:
  - wiggle your toes and flex your ankles
  - walk up and down the aisle when you can (at least once every hour)
  - don't cross your legs
  - drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol
  

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Special thanks to britishairways.com, klm.com and bupa.co.uk for the contents.