Foti Filter

Health Tips: Air Travel

This page is designed to help you stay healthy in many different situations. Today’s tips concern air travel.

If you have a request for a specific subject, please let us know.

Foti Filter in use on the airplane A Foti Filter™ on every leg of your air travel assures you easy access to the cleanest, best humidified, freshest air available en route.

Guarding your health during long distance air travel not only involves filtration and humidification of air using the Foti Filter™, but also includes measures to prevent jet lag, the development of vein clots, cardiopulmonary stress, and fatigue.

Here are several tips to help make your air travel healthier and more comfortable.

Jet Lag
Jet Lag is caused by the pituitary gland time clock in the brain becoming confused by crossing time zones much faster than your body’s natural day-to-night regulators can handle. Jet lag can be at least partially controlled by following these hints:

  1. Be well rested when you board your flight, and try to sleep as much as you can en route.
  2. Avoid overeating, excessive alcohol, salt and caffeine. Do NOT over hydrate. Let your thirst be your guide. Over hydration leads to body water overload and edema (tissue swelling). Alcohol leads to dehydration.
  3. A light sedative to help you sleep can be useful. Ask your medical doctor for his opinion.
  1. Plan to rest when you reach your destination. A nap or two can let your time clock seek its new time zone.

    Vein Clot Prevention

  2. If you are not allergic to aspirin, take one 324 mg (regular size tablet) daily for several days prior to travel.
  3. If you tend to have some fluid retention and ankle edema, use elastic stockings (toe to knee) while aboard. This is very helpful.
  1. Exercise your legs and feet while seated as often as possible and get up for a walk once every hour while awake.

    Cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) Stress
    Many people are unaware that they may have mild heart or lung conditions at sea level. Aircraft are allowed to pressurize to levels equal to up to 8000 feet. At this elevation oxygen tension in the cabin falls considerably so that individuals with marginal heart and lung functions at sea level may develop significant stress to their physiology. See your doctor before traveling to have these potential conditions evaluated. Proper recommendations, for example oxygen and wheelchair use during travel, can prevent these stresses and allow for more comfortable trips.

    Fatigue
    Fatigue regularly accompanies the air traveler. Common causes are lack of normal exercise, jet lag and deviation from your normal routine. Here are the keys to managing travel-related fatigue:

  2. Sleep and rest before your trip.
  3. Sleep during travel.
  1. Allow for adequate, unscheduled acclimatization time after arrival at your destination.

    Future Health Tips will include:

    • Work area protection
    • Infectious disease prevention
    • Pollen and allergen protection
    • Odor control