Do you have travel plans? Are you worried that traveling may get you sick? We’ve all been there — the stress of preparing, paired with being packed into an airplane with other people, you just never know if you’re going to feel your best once you’re off the plane. Why not give your body a fighting chance by booking an appointment with IV Revival before you leave?
Our owner, Megan Jore, does just that. She said she gets an IV with vitamin C and zinc any time she feels a cold or sickness coming on, as both are proven to shorten the duration of colds and flus. She also gives her immune system and her body the boost it needs before travelling. But why does air travel make you feel ill?
Surprisingly, it’s not the air in a plane. The International Air Transport Association claims that in-cabin HEPA filters can get rid of 99.9995% of germs and microbes in the air. It’s not what you breathe, it’s what you touch and who you are near. The IATA reported that flying comes with the same risk level of getting sick as attending a movie or a sporting event.
It does not matter if you’re 30,000 feet in the air or sitting on the sidelines — if you’re near someone who is sick, then you have a chance of getting sick as well. On a plane, you’ll be safe as long as you’re not in close proximity to someone who is ill.
There are two other factors that can impact your health during air travel as well.
Low Humidity In the Cabin
If you’ve ever woken up with an itchy or scratchy throat, it could be because the air in your room was too dry overnight. The same is said for airplane cabins. The low levels of humidity can dry out your throat, eyes, nose, and skin, and can leave you feeling dehydrated. This makes your body more susceptible to illness.
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that homes be kept at around 30% to 50% humidity. To compare, the average humidity level in an airplane’s cabin is around 20%.
Dehydration
As mentioned above, the low humidity levels in a plane can lead to dehydration. Dehydration occurs when your body is losing more fluids than it is taking in.
When you’re dehydrated, you can feel fatigued, dizzy, or confused. It’s combated by drinking fluids or consuming foods high in fluids such as fruits and vegetables. So don’t skip on the drink and snack service if it’s provided!
Dirty Tray Tables and Surfaces
A plane is not sanitized between flights. A study conducted by microbiologists hired by Travelmath reported an average of 2,155 colony-forming units (CFU) per square inch on tray tables collected from four different planes.
Other surfaces to avoid direct contact with include the toilet’s flush button and the overhead air vent.
We recommend bringing hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes onto the plane to wipe down the tray table before the plane takes off.
Jet Lag
Jet lag is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across multiple time zones. It happens when your body’s internal clock is disrupted by irregular sleep and eating patterns.
Though not an illness, jet lag can cause fatigue, stomach problems, a general feeling of not being well, mood changes, and more.
It can be prevented by getting rest prior to your trip, staying hydrated (dehydration can make jet lag symptoms worse!), sticking to your new schedule consistently, and sleeping on the plane if it’s an overnight trip.
How IV Vitamin Therapy Can Help
At IV Revival, we offer a couple of treatments that can help boost your immune system or optimize your health before a flight. Our Revive treatment includes a 1 liter of pH balanced fluid, electrolytes, B-complex and B-12. The Renew treatment includes 1 liter of pH balanced fluids and electrolytes, a Myer’s cocktail and is finished with a glutathione push.
B-complex and B-12 fight fatigue, promote a healthy immune system, and help regulate your metabolism.
Vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc, which are found in the Myer’s cocktail or can be added to any treatment, all shorten the duration of illnesses while helping protect your body from getting sick.
The 1 liter of pH balanced fluids with electrolytes will help keep your body hydrated so you won’t have to worry about a dry throat or nose during your flight. Staying hydrated is also one of the key factors in staying healthy.
So next time you’re planning on flying somewhere, make time to give your body the boost it needs with IV Revival’s Mobile Vitamin Therapy. A nurse will come to your door to administer the treatment. Request an appointment today!