Short-Term Ill Effects Of Flying Long Haul

Flying long haul regularly is great when you get to a new destination and discover fresh places. However, this too could have undesirable health implications. Here is a rundown of the short-term effects of flying long haul.

Jetlag

Jetlag is a short-term effect of flying long haul but is even experienced by those traveling in a short span of time. Jet lag is the result of the body's internal hormones which became out of sync with new time zone. Anybody who has flown long haul has to experience Jetlag.

Furthermore, sleep is regulated by the hormone cortisol, which differs in levels according to the time of the day. Your body will take a few days to modify to generating the right level of cortisol at the right time upon landing in a new or different time zone.

Constipation

One of the short-term effects of flying long haul is Constipation. Sitting down for long periods can make you constipated. This is because the metabolic rate and digestion decelerate due to the inactivity. Most of the time you will also experience bloating or you become gassy after a long period of time spent in the air, says Daily Mail.

Headaches

Another short-term effect of flying long haul is a headache. Airplane cabins have notoriously dry air. Most of the time passengers find themselves severely dehydrated. This alone is enough to give you a headache but the cabin pressure could intensify it. According to a study published by Sage Journal, before landing, several passengers experience severe headaches. This is due to the difference in pressure between the sinuses and cabin.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Sitting still for extended periods has long been associated with DVT, which kills thousands of people every year. One of the deadly short-term effects of flying long haul is DVT. This condition occurs when blood clots develop in the interior of the deep veins of the legs, causing pain and swelling. According to the American Heart Foundation, long periods of stillness in cramped spaces, low cabin pressure and dehydration all add towards the likelihood of a passenger getting DVT.