Health

Health problems while flying are increasing - Lancet

by mtammas | February 18, 2009 at 09:27 pm

358 views | 41 Recommendations | 3 comments

Because flights are longer and more seniors with medical conditions are flying, inflight health problems are on the rise according to a Lancet review.

Growing numbers of older passengers and ever longer flights mean the likelihood of health problems in the skies is increasing, US researchers suggest.

From blood clots to flu pandemics, both travellers and authorities should be aware of the risks - and seek to minimise them - a Lancet review urges.

An ageing population means passengers are boarding planes with existing health problems, researchers warn.

Extended flight times could also increase the risk to health, they say.

Long periods of sitting during flights have been associated with blood clots - venous thromboembolism (VTE) - and the Lancet review found there is a link between VTE and air travel.

Some 75% of air-travel cases of VTE have been linked to lack of movement while on board - although economy passengers are no more likely to develop clots than their counterparts in business, the review found.

Risk was at its highest in flights of eight hours or more, but one study found the risk started to climb at four hours, the Lahey Clinic Medical Center team, led by Dr Mark Gendreau, found.

There are things travelers can do to reduce the risk of VTE such as walking around the cabin, changing your sitting position and stretching, using compression stockings and staying well-hydrated.

Being near someone with a bad cough or other obvious symptoms of illness is a familiar scenario, especially to frequent flyers.

Spending long periods in close quarters with others is also known to spread disease.

Several outbreaks of serious infections such as influenza, measles, severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and tuberculosis have been reported on commercial flights.

However, risk of on-board transmission, the researchers noted, is mainly restricted to within two rows of the passenger carrying the infection.

Those who intend to fly and have concerns about their own medical problems, should talk with their family physician before booking that trip.

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Amy Judd

at 21:50 on February 18th, 2009

I always get sick when I fly - mostly because I always take long flights, never short ones.

Barbara McPherson

at 10:33 on February 19th, 2009

I don't think you can target the older people who fly as having more problems. We have witnessed a deterioration of service and more importantly space while travelling those long haul flights. In order to conserve fuel, many airlines recirculate cabin air which gives everyone an equal opportunity to catch respiratory diseases. There has been a reduction of cleaning of washrooms on flights as well. Since the big security scares a couple of years ago many airlines have taken advantage and sell drinking water at exhorbitant prices.

Space in economy is so limited that those people who get up and wander during the flight become a nuisance to those with aisle seats.

harringtola

at 14:17 on February 19th, 2009

I think the reduced space issue is a cause for health concerns and results in health related issues on board. This is not a unique issue for the elderly. Some prescriptions, for non elderly folks, create conditions that are not served well by long flights with less mobility.