How to prevent and treat air sickness on an airplane | Tips | GRAVOL™ (2024)

FAQs

How to prevent and treat air sickness on an airplane | Tips | GRAVOL™? ›

Stay hydrated with water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Bring tissues and any other items that can make you more comfortable, such as cough drops and lip balm. Ask a flight attendant for support, such as extra water.

Stay hydrated with water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Bring tissues and any other items that can make you more comfortable, such as cough drops and lip balm. Ask a flight attendant for support, such as extra water.

Once the plane has taken off, the human eye notes the apparent lack of movement inside the cabin whilst the ear detects the oscillations of the aircraft. So the brain receives conflicting messages from its sensory apparatus and induces a feeling of loss of balance and general malaise.

Take Vitamins Before Your Flight

It certainly can't hurt to take a standard multivitamin, which you should start taking at least 2 days before flying. If you still happen to get sick after taking precautions, vitamin C can help to reduce the severity and longevity of your cold symptoms.

A seat directly over the wings (typically found in rows 10 to 30) is your best option to reduce the sensation of turbulence, says Dr. Quay Snyder, the president of the Aviation Medicine Advisory Service.

Works great to prevent ear pain issues. I'd still only recommend wearing them until leveling off and just before descending as they can still cause pain with too much extended use. These things allow me to fly pain free! (And I have tried everything else to no avail).

If you have a cold, try decongestants: Decongestant nose sprays, including oxymetazoline (like Afrin) or phenylephrine (like Neo-Synephrine or Little Remedies) reduce swelling in the back of the nose at the opening of the Eustachian tube, which improves your ear's ability to equalize the air pressure.

What foods prevent air sickness? ›

Better choices include breads, cereals, grains, milk, water, apple juice, apples, or bananas. Do not skip eating but also do not overeat. Drink plenty of water and drink it often.

Airplanes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, from cramped conditions to the low humidity that characterizes the air circulating on board. Low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your throat.

Reduce the chance of air sickness symptoms by:

Staying hydrated: drink plenty of water the day before your flight and bring a refillable water bottle to the airport so you can sip water after security screening. Fighting digestive issues by avoiding salty, fatty, spicy, or greasy foods. Not flying on an empty stomach.

Drink water, low-acidity juices like apple and carrot, or clear soup, and avoid milk and coffee. Keep moving. Most people find that being busy keeps their minds off their discomfort. Stay on deck, even if it's raining, because the fresh air is often enough to speed recovery.

You can find over-the-counter medications and chewable tablets that last from 8 to 24 hours in most drugstores, gas stations, and even airport shops. According to research, antihistamines are very effective at preventing motion sickness, and healthcare professionals have been recommending them for decades.

Preventing AMS

Take the first 2 to 3 days to acclimatise to being at altitudes below 2500m before going any higher. If you can, avoid flying directly to somewhere at high altitude, but if unavoidable acclimatise before any further ascent.

For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL. So, when you fly at high altitudes, supplemental oxygen is the only solution.

Eat food that is low in sodium and fat a few hours before your flight. Skip the greasy foods that can upset your stomach on any regular day. Also, don't fly on an empty stomach. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.