Do you ever wonder why you get on a plane feeling great but get off feeling like you have been hit by a mack truck? Don't worry. It isn't just you. There is a ton of scientific evidence that shows why you might feel this way even if you have been sitting comfortably for several hours. A lot of things are going on inside of your body as a result of being on a plane at high altitudes. We put together a list to explain some of your feelings and how to combat them.
Do You Ever Feel Weird After A Flight? Here Are The Reasons Why And How To Stop It From Happening The Next Time You Fly.
You Become Dehydrated
Your body can shed 1.5 liters of water during a three-hour flight. This happens because the humidity inside an airplane is very low and will cause the mucous of our throat, mouth, and nose to dry out, and this depletes your natural water levels. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated before, during, and after your flight.
You’ll Start to Bloat
The air pressure inside the cabin of the plane can cause a variety of gastrointestinal issues like bloating and stomach pains because of a build-up of gas. The air pressure prevents gas from spreading through your body properly. Keeping yourself hydrated will help prevent bloating. You should not drink anything carbonated during your flight and try taking a Gas-Ex pill if the problem is painful.
You’re Deprived of Oxygen
Most airplane cabins are pressurized to 75% of normal atmospheric pressure. This will cause less oxygen in your blood and can lead to hypoxia. That will leave you feeling dizzy, tired, and having a headache. This is not something that is easily remedied. If you are having issues, you can ask the stewardess for supplemental oxygen.
You’re Surrounded by Germs
The chance of you catching a cold while on an airplane is very high because half of the cabin's oxygen is recirculated. This airflow makes the conditions for airborne infections such as colds, respiratory infections and viruses ideal for susceptible passengers as the humidity levels are so low. What makes things worse is that bacteria can live on an airplane for up to a week. Try taking something like Airborne or other immune system boosting supplements before you board your plane.
You Can’t Hear or Taste Very Well
Did you know that a third of your taste buds can become numb at high altitudes? That on top of the air pressure affecting your hearing does not make for a fun flight. Our perception of sweet and saltiness drops by 30%. The other factors that contribute to these numbing of our senses are dull cabin lighting, high stress levels, and colder temperatures. There really is not much that can be done to prevent these things from happening.
You’re Exposed to Cosmic Radiation
During the course of a seven-hour flight, you are exposed to the same amount of radiation as an x-ray. This research came to light when there were fears that 'solar storms' could cause harmful radiation exposure to those who travel by air. You are exposed to stronger UV rays as well, and the windows do not always provide enough protection. We know this all sounds a bit scary, but the risk of severe damage from lying is very low.
Blood Will Pool in Your Legs
When you combine lack of movement with the high pressure of the cabin, fluid will build up in your body and increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis. In order to avoid this, get up and walk around any chance that you get. That will increase your blood flow and reduce your chance of having your blood pool in your legs.
The two main things you want to take from this article is to drink a lot of water and move around the cabin when you are able to do so. Those are the best things to make sure you do not feel like utter crap after your long flight.