Wiki Vertigo

Vertigo in air travel: Tips for frequent flyers

Vertigo can be a challenging condition for frequent flyers, as the physical environment of air travel—changes in air pressure, cabin altitude, and confined spaces—can exacerbate symptoms. For individuals prone to vertigo or those with vestibular disorders, understanding how these factors influence vertigo is key to managing the condition while flying.

Here are tips to help manage vertigo during air travel:

1. Understand the Effects of Air Travel on Vertigo

• Pressure Changes: During flight, especially during takeoff and landing, the rapid changes in air pressure can affect the inner ear and the vestibular system, leading to dizziness or vertigo. This is more pronounced for individuals with pre-existing vestibular disorders or ear issues.
• Cabin Altitude: Airplanes often maintain a cabin altitude equivalent to about 6,000–8,000 feet, which means the air pressure inside the plane is lower than at sea level. This can lead to symptoms like lightheadedness or dizziness in some individuals.
• Dry Air and Dehydration: The dry air in an airplane cabin can lead to dehydration, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms. Dehydration can affect the inner ear’s fluid balance, potentially triggering vertigo or dizziness.
• Lack of Visual Reference: The absence of stable visual cues (such as the horizon) when flying may contribute to sensory mismatch, which can lead to vertigo or disorientation, especially if you experience motion sickness.

2. Prepare for Your Flight

A. Consult with Your Healthcare Provider

• If you have a history of vertigo or vestibular disorders, it’s essential to consult your doctor before flying. Your doctor can recommend appropriate medications or strategies to help prevent or manage vertigo during air travel. They may also assess whether it is safe for you to fly given your condition.

B. Take Preventive Medications

• Antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines (such as meclizine or dimenhydrinate) are commonly used to prevent motion sickness and vertigo. These medications can help reduce dizziness associated with the sensory mismatch caused by air travel.
• Vestibular Suppressants: If you experience vertigo frequently, your doctor may prescribe vestibular suppressants, which can help reduce symptoms during flight.
• Decongestants: If your vertigo is linked to Eustachian tube dysfunction or sinus issues, a decongestant (such as pseudoephedrine) may help alleviate pressure changes in the ear during flight.

C. Stay Hydrated

• Drink Plenty of Water: Dehydration can worsen vertigo, so it’s crucial to stay hydrated before and during your flight. Drink water regularly, and avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these can dehydrate the body.
• Moisturize Your Airway: Consider using a nasal spray or moisturizing lotion to keep your airways and sinuses hydrated, especially if you have a tendency to experience dry eyes or nasal passages during flight.

3. During the Flight

A. Equalize Pressure in the Ears

• Swallowing: To prevent or alleviate ear discomfort during takeoff and landing, swallow regularly. Chewing gum, sucking on candy, or drinking water can help promote swallowing, which helps equalize pressure in the ears.
• Valsalva Maneuver: If you experience ear pressure or discomfort, you can try the Valsalva maneuver (pinch your nose and gently blow to equalize the air pressure in your ears). However, be careful not to blow too forcefully, as this can damage your eardrums.
• Yawning: Yawning helps activate the muscles around the Eustachian tube and can aid in equalizing ear pressure.

B. Seated Position and Movement

• Stay Seated: If you feel vertigo symptoms coming on, stay seated and avoid sudden movements. Getting up too quickly or changing positions can increase feelings of dizziness.
• Position Your Head: If you’re prone to vertigo, lean your head back against the headrest to stabilize it. Avoid rapid head movements, especially when looking down or turning your head quickly.

C. Limit Sensory Overload

• Control Lighting: Some people with vertigo are sensitive to bright or flickering lights. Use an eye mask or dim the reading light above your seat if the cabin lighting feels harsh.
• Noise-Canceling Headphones: Loud or constant noise, such as the engine sound, can exacerbate vertigo. Noise-canceling headphones can help reduce auditory stimuli and promote a more relaxing flight environment.
• Focus on a Fixed Point: If you start feeling dizzy or disoriented, focus on a fixed point (like a book, the back of a seat, or an item in your hand) to provide visual stability.

4. Movement and Relaxation Techniques

• Gentle Neck Stretches: During the flight, gently stretch your neck to prevent stiffness and improve circulation. Tight muscles in the neck and upper back can sometimes trigger vertigo, especially during long flights.
• Relaxation and Breathing: Practice slow, deep breathing to help manage anxiety, which can sometimes trigger or worsen vertigo. Try inhaling deeply for a count of four, holding your breath for four, and exhaling slowly for a count of four to promote calmness.

5. After the Flight

A. Take Your Time When Exiting

• Avoid Sudden Movements: After the flight, avoid rushing to exit the plane. Stand up slowly, allow your body to adjust to the change in environment, and take your time when walking through the terminal to reduce the likelihood of dizziness.
• Sit for a While: If you experience vertigo symptoms after landing, find a quiet place to sit and rest until the dizziness subsides. Sometimes, the transition from the stable cabin environment to the busy airport setting can trigger vertigo or feelings of disorientation.

B. Rest and Hydrate

• After a flight, it’s important to rest and stay hydrated. Fatigue and dehydration can exacerbate vertigo, so make sure to take care of your body when you reach your destination.

6. Long-Term Strategies for Frequent Flyers

A. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)

• If you frequently experience vertigo, vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) can help improve balance and reduce vertigo symptoms. VRT involves a series of exercises designed to retrain the brain and vestibular system to adapt to sensory inputs more effectively. This can be especially beneficial for frequent flyers, as it may help reduce symptoms during air travel.

B. Adjusting Your Travel Habits

• Fly at Less Stressful Times: If possible, choose flights that are less crowded or during times of the day when you’re least likely to be fatigued or stressed.
• Regular Breaks: If you’re traveling long distances by air, take breaks to move around and stretch, even if you just stand up and walk down the aisle briefly. Prolonged immobility can worsen vertigo symptoms.

7. When to Seek Medical Advice

• If your vertigo symptoms are frequent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms (such as hearing loss, weakness, or vision problems), it’s important to seek medical advice before flying. Vertigo can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition that may need treatment or management, such as Meniere’s disease, vestibular migraines, or inner ear disorders.

Conclusion

Vertigo during air travel can be managed effectively with proper preparation, preventive strategies, and in-flight techniques. For frequent flyers who experience vertigo, maintaining hydration, practicing ear equalization, using relaxation methods, and consulting a healthcare provider are essential steps in reducing the impact of vertigo. By following these tips, you can make air travel more comfortable and minimize the risk of vertigo episodes during your flights.

 The Vertigo And Dizziness Program™ By Christian Goodman Vertigo and Dizziness Program is a designed to help stop vertigo and dizziness once and for all. Medical practitioner don’t know the exact cure for this condition but this program will show you exactly what you need to make this painful condition a thing of the past. This program has recommended a set of simple head exercises that help cure this condition.