Useful tips

Air Travel and Comfort

Although aircraft cabins are pressurized, cabin air pressure at cruising altitude is lower than air pressure at sea level. At a typical cruising altitude of 11 000 metres (37 000 feet), air pressure in the cabin is equivalent to that at an altitude of 1500?500 metres (5000?000 feet) above sea level. 

• Drink non -carbonic acid beverages
• drink extra non-alcoholic caffeine-free beverages before and during your flight to avoid dehydration.

Prolonged immobility, particularly when the individual is seated, leads to pooling of blood in the legs, which in turn causes swelling, stiffness, and discomfort.
Circulatory stasis is a predisposing factor for the development of venous thrombosis (blood clots). Flex thoroughly when you are awake.

• Extend your legs straight out in front of you and flex your ankles, pulling up and spreading your toes, then pushing down and curling the toes. If your shoes limit toe movement, just make the effort and don't worry, or remove the shoes.
• If there isn't room to extend your legs, start with your feet flat on the floor and push down and curl your toes while lifting your heels from the floor. Then, with your heels back on the floor, lift and spread your toes. Repeat this heel - toe cycle ten times.

Air travel and comfort Resource:

Quiet comfort: noise, otherness, and the mobile production of personal space.
Hagood M.
Am Q. 2011;63(3):573-89
Climate and tourism in the Black Forest during the warm season.
Endler C, Matzarakis A.
Int J Biometeorol. 2011 Mar;55(2):173-86. Epub 2010 May 21
Ride comfort analysis with physiological parameters for an e-health train.
Lee Y, Shin K, Lee S, Song Y, Han S, Lee M.
Telemed J E Health. 2009 Dec;15(10):1010-21
Understanding how transport choices are affected by the environment and health: views expressed in a study on the use of carbon calculators.
Chatterton TJ, Coulter A, Musselwhite C, Lyons G, Clegg S.
Public Health. 2009 Jan;123(1):e45-9. Epub 2008 Dec 19
Study of heat exposure during Hajj (pilgrimage).
Noweir MH, Bafail AO, Jomoah IM.
Environ Monit Assess. 2008 Dec;147(1-3):279-95. Epub 2008 Feb 12
Tourism climate and thermal comfort in Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan.
Lin TP, Matzarakis A.
Int J Biometeorol. 2008 Mar;52(4):281-90. Epub 2007 Oct 17
Hydrogel lens comfort in challenging environments and the effect of refitting with silicone hydrogel lenses.
Young G, Riley CM, Chalmers RL, Hunt C.
Optom Vis Sci. 2007 Apr;84(4):302-8
A case study in resort climatology of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Hartz DA, Brazel AJ, Heisler GM.
Int J Biometeorol. 2006 Sep;51(1):73-83. Epub 2006 Jul 11
Changes in ocular and nasal signs and symptoms among air crew in relation to air humidification on intercontinental flights.
Norbäck D, Lindgren T, Wieslander G.
Scand J Work Environ Health. 2006 Apr;32(2):138-44
[Economic class syndrome].
Ríos Tejada F, Villegas Fernández F, Azofra García JA, Callol Sánchez L.
An Med Interna. 2002 Nov;19(11):589-93. Review. Spanish.
[Air travel--a disease risk? ].
Wyss R, Stössel U, Muff S.
Ther Umsch. 2001 Jun;58(6):399-403. Review. German.
Comfort and health in commercial aircraft: a literature review.
Brundrett G.
J R Soc Promot Health. 2001 Mar;121(1):29-37. Review
Passenger safety, health, and comfort: a review.
Rayman RB.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 1997 May;68(5):432-40. Review
[Motion sickness].
Taillemite JP, Devaulx P, Bousquet F.
Med Trop (Mars). 1997;57(4 Bis):483-7. Review. French.
Caring for Older People. Public transport.
Roper TA, Mulley GP.
BMJ. 1996 Aug 17;313(7054):415-8. Review
Airline advisory nursing.
Mark JA.
Air Med J. 1994 Feb;13(2):66-8
Air travel and intraocular gas.
Dieckert JP, O'Connor PS, Schacklett DE, Tredici TJ, Lambert HM, Fanton JW, Sipperley JO, Rashid ER.
Ophthalmology. 1986 May;93(5):642-5
Behavioural temperature regulation during a motor-toboggan traverse in Antarctica.
Budd GM, Hendrie AL, Jeffery SE.
Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1986;55(5):507-16
Medical aspects of commercial jet air travel.
LEEDS MF.
Calif Med. 1959 Apr;90(4):273-4
Passenger comfort in commercial air travel with reference to motion sickness.
LEDERER LG, KIDERA GJ.
Int Rec Med Gen Pract Clin. 1954 Dec;167(12):661-8. No abstract available.
No Data.

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