Some plane truths on chest diseases

[Night_Hawk]

Some plane truths on chest diseases

(Staff Reporter) / 7 December 2013

Over 25 years ago, it was already estimated that five per cent of commercial airline passengers were ambulatory patients with some illness including chest diseases.

Any lung disease including COPD or emphysema, asthma, lung fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, pneumothorax, previous blood clots in the veins, lung cancer, co-existing heart and lung disease have to be checked before travelling. Moreover, those who have had infectious tuberculosis must not travel by air until shown to be non-infectious. Contacts of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) must be screened before travel.
Points to remember when travelling by air:
> Ask your doctor for a letter to take with details of your condition and medications.
> Arrange necessary vaccinations and ask your doctor if an emergency supply of medications are required.
> Take your inhalers and other prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
> If you get breathless when walking, make sure you have help at airports.
> When you are in the aeroplane, try to move about every hour or so and exercise your legs. Sitting for too long can lead to blood clots in the legs.
> Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks during the flight.
If you travel often by air and have specific medical needs, the airline may issue you with a Frequent Travelers Medical Card.
Being in an aircraft cabin is like being at 6,000 to 8,000 feet on a mountain where air pressure will be lower than air pressure at ground level. At high altitudes blood oxygen levels fall and some people may feel a little breathless, explained Dr Sherif Mohamed Fekry, Pulmonary Disease, Specialist Internal Medicine, Zulekha Hospital, Dubai.
In most people this has no health effect. However, if you already have low blood oxygen levels, the extra dip that happens while you are in the plane can cause increased breathlessness and discomfort.
If you can walk 50 meters on the level, at a steady pace, without feeling breathless, you are not likely to be troubled by the reduced pressure in aircraft cabins. Airlines can arrange extra oxygen, usually when booking your ticket, but at least one month earlier. Aeroplanes carry emergency supplies of oxygen but for few hours. You need permission from the airline to use oxygen or any electrical equipment you need for your treatment on board the aircraft. Also, using an inhaler with a spacer is just as effective as a nebulizer.
Longer flights may carry health risks for anyone, because of the effects of sitting for long periods. There is no evidence of extra risk for people with lung disease, except for certain people, who are more prone to blood clots.
Any chest infection should be completely treated before you fly home.
It is important that your travel medical insurance includes the cost of return by air ambulance.

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