What Happens To Your Body After Boarding A Flight

So what exactly happens to your body after boarding a flight?

• You won’t be able to hear or taste: A 1/3 of your tastebuds are numbed when flying at high altitudes. Dryness and air pressure changes can affect your ears, sinuses & taste.

• You’ll become dehydrated: A 3 hour flight can shed up to 1.5 litres of water from the body. Aeroplane cabin humidity levels as low as 4% can cause the mucous membranes of your nose, mouth and throat to dry out.

• You’re deprived of oxygen: Aircraft cabins are pressurised to 75% of normal atmospheric pressure (the same altitude as Mexico city). Lower oxygen in your blood can cause Hypoxia; a condition leaving you feeling dizzy, fatigued and headachy.

• You’re sat in a tube of germs: Catching a cold is over 100 times higher when you are flying. ½ of the cabin air is re-circulated during a flight spreading germs and viruses.

• You’ll drink poison: OK, perhaps that’s a little dramatic! However, in the past stored water on planes has been found to contain traces of E.coli and other harmful bacteria.

• You’ll expand like a beach ball: Just like a bag of peanuts mid-flight, air pressure changes will cause you to inflate. A build-up of gas can lead to bloating, constipation and stomach pains.

• Blood will pool in your legs: Lack of movement leads to fluid build-up around the body, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

• You’re exposed to cosmic radiation: During a 7 hour flight from New York to London you’re exposed to the same dose of radiation as an X-ray.

Top tips for flying on a plane

Flying can be a pain, but it's certainly worth the gain. Whether it's overcoming air-cabin dryness or keeping your belly bloat free a few handy helpfuls will beat those frightful in-flight feelings.

• Avoid Alcohol Booze slows down your metabolism making it even harder for your body to absorb oxygen.

• Keep hydrated & moisturised Drink lots of water, avoid caffeinated drinks, use eyes drops and keep plenty of moisturiser on hand.

• Walk around the cabin Keep moving and do the recommended in seat exercises to reduce swelling in your lower legs.

• Drink bottled beverages Avoid drinking stale, stored plane water and stick to juices and pre-packed drinks.

• Keep clean Wash your hands, use hand sanitiser and wear a face mask to combat the spread of germs.

• Relieve sinus pressure Swallow hard, gently pop your ears and work your jaw to help avoid sinus pain.