General Travel Tips

Traveling comfortably in an airplane

• Chewing gum, yawning or sucking on hard candies can help to relieve the pressure that builds up in your ears as the airplane ascends and descends. If you have a cold, talk to your doctor about using a decongestant or nasal spray before boarding to help relieve the pressure.
• Drink plenty of water while onboard the aircraft to avoid becoming dehydrated during the flight.
• Do light stretching exercises in your seat and walk through the cabin frequently (if told it is safe to do so by the flight crew).
• Consult your physician if you suffer from airsickness; he or she may be able to prescribe medication for this. 
• The relatively low humidity in the cabin can make allergy or asthma symptoms worse; take preventative measures as necessary.

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Combatting Jet Lag
Try a few of these techniques for a natural way to reset your internal clock:

• Reset your watch to the destination's time as soon as you get on the plane. If it's daytime at your destination, try to stay awake during the flight. Walking around the cabin may help keep you alert. If it's nighttime, try to sleep. You may find it helpful to use ear plugs and a sleeping mask to block out distractions on the plane.
• Eat before you get on the plane so that hunger does not prevent you from sleeping during the flight. Inform the flight attendant that you will not be eating so that you are not awakened for a meal.
• If you're using a blanket, buckle your seat belt over the blanket so that you are not awakened by a flight attendant checking seat belts.
• If it's daytime when you arrive but nighttime at home, don't sleep. Instead, try doing some light exercise like walking to help revive your body and stop it from producing sleep-inducing hormones.

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Flying during pregnancy

It is commonly recommended that women not fly at all during their last six weeks of pregnancy. Northwest Airlines' policy states that pregnant passengers traveling within 30 days of expected delivery must provide a doctor's statement dated within 72 hours of departure indicating the due date and indicating that air travel does not pose a health risk. Women in labor will be denied boarding for safety reasons.

Pregnant women should always consult their obstetricians or midwives before traveling. Traveling during the second trimester of pregnancy is often easier as morning sickness will most likely have subsided, energy levels are up and you are still a comfortable distance from your due date. Here are some additional tips for staying comfortable on your flight:

• Reserve an aisle seat so that you can easily access the bathroom and move about the cabin. Getting up and walking regularly will help combat swelling and discomfort.
• Bring a copy of your medical records and ask your doctor for a referral in case of an emergency while you are away.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and flat shoes. Wear layers if you are prone to body-temperature fluctuations.
• Keep your seatbelt low around your hips, not around your abdomen.
• Get a small pillow from the flight attendant and place it under your lower back to avoid back strain.
• Drink plenty of water-at least one liter for every two hours in flight.

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What you need to know about blood clots while flying
Deep vein thrombisis (DVT)- blood clots has been blamed for several deaths among long-haul airline passengers. DVT is not specifically linked to air travel however, is found to be linked to situations where people are immobile. The clots are dangerous when they block vessels in the leg or lungs.

Some people are more susceptible to developing DVT than others. Here are some factors that would indicate a higher risk of developing DVT:

• If you have had DVT before or if DVT runs in your family.
• When you have recently undergone surgery or have been wounded, especially in the abdomen and/or the legs.
• If you have varicose veins or heart failure or are obese.
• If you are dehydrated.
• If you smoke.
• If you are pregnant.
• If you are undergoing estrogen therapy (this includes the use of estrogen pills).
• If you have been sitting in the same position for more than 24 hours.
• If you have deviations in your hemogram that could result in a higher risk of blood clotting.
• If you are older than 40.
• If one of these factors applies to you, you would be wise to consult your physician before the flight.

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include:

• Tenderness and redness in the affected areas
• Fever
• Sudden, unexplained cough
• Pain and swelling in areas drained by the vein where the blood clot is located
• Joint pain and soreness

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