Ever hopped off a long flight feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck? Yeah, it’s not just jet lag. Here’s the lowdown from the docs on how flying messes with your body.
According to some experts chatting with Independent.co.uk, those marathon plane rides can leave you feeling less than stellar, with fatigue and discomfort tagging along for the ride. Turns out, being cooped up in a metal tube at 35,000 feet can throw your body for a loop in all sorts of ways.
Dr. Jenkins, a general practitioner, warns that spending hours glued to your seat can seriously mess with your health, hitting everything from your ticker to your muscles.
Breathing Blues
The thin air up there and the oxygen situation in the cabin can make breathing a bit of a struggle, especially if you’ve got heart issues.
Gut Troubles
The wonky humidity levels on board can give your gut a rough time, leading to tummy issues like constipation and general discomfort. Plus, the pressure changes can turn your belly into a hot air balloon, causing all sorts of bloating.
Body Clock Blues
Hopping across time zones can totally throw off your body clock, leaving your gut and your appetite doing a little dance. Experts reckon staying hydrated, munching on light bites, and doing a lap or two around the cabin can help.
Brain Drain
Jet lag isn’t just a case of the yawns—it can actually scramble your brain a bit. Adjusting to new time zones can mess with your sleep patterns, leaving your noggin feeling foggy. And that dry air in the cabin? Yeah, it can give you a wicked headache.
Skin, Nose, and Mouth Woes
Dry cabin air can leave your peepers, schnozz, and kisser feeling parched, while those pressure changes can leave your sinuses feeling like they’ve been run over by a truck. Chomping on some gum might help keep your mouth from feeling like the Sahara.
Skin Struggles
The dry air can also leave your skin feeling like sandpaper, especially if you’re prone to eczema or psoriasis. And don’t even get us started on the UV exposure up there—it’s like a mini-sunburn waiting to happen.
Muscle Misery
Being glued to your seat for hours on end can leave your muscles feeling tighter than a drum, especially in your back and legs. The trick? Get up, stretch it out, and bust a move every now and then during the flight.
So, next time you’re gearing up for a trip, just remember to show your bod a little love along the way. After all, even the toughest travelers need a little TLC at 35,000 feet.