Lifestyle Trend: Surgeon warns of ‘big mistake’ travellers are making while flying You Should Know

With many Brits gearing up for upcoming holidays, a vasular surgeon has shared some vital tips for staying healthy in the air.

With January always feeling like the longest month, it is easy to feel disgruntled at this time of year. Along with a combination of tight funds and miserable weather, many Brits are looking for ways to perk themselves up a bit.

Lots of us find that an easy solution is to book a holiday somewhere hot and sunny. Away from the stress of work and stormy weather, many of us are counting down the days until we can catch our next flight.

However, while most travellers are sure to triple check that they have their holiday essentials at hand before taking to the air, it turns out there is one common mistake Brits are making every time they fly. While we make sure to abide by the safety checks, it seems many of us forget to check in on our health.

One surgeon has revealed that regular jetsetters are making a “big mistake” while they travel to and from their holiday destination, reports the Express. The health professional has taken to social media to raise awareness about a “different battle” our body contends with while flying.

Board-certified vascular surgeon, Rema Malik, believes that the internal ‘turbulence’ our bodies’ experience while in the air can actually be more concerning than any external turbulence from the plane as we whizz through the clouds.

Posting a video on Instagram, the surgeon took the time to share three essential actions travellers should take on a flight. She started by writing: “There is a big mistake you are making when you fly and no one talks about how to prevent it.

“While you are stressing about packing gifts and catching connections, your body is fighting a different battle inside that pressurised tube. As a vascular surgeon, I don’t worry about the turbulence outside the plane. I worry about the ‘turbulence’ happening inside your veins.”

The surgeon goes on to discuss how a “three-hit combo” can lead to a blood clot. This health risk can occur because of a trio of factors – the seat, the air, and the pressure.

Rema explains that prolonged sitting down can shut down your “second heart”, otherwise known as your calf muscles. This is a risk as “without movement, blood stops pumping up and starts pooling down.”

This leads to the next issue, the dry cabin air. This air can rapidly dehydrate travellers, making your blood physically sludgier and thicker. Worryingly, thick blood can clot.

The final issue is the lower cabin pressure, which causes your veins to expand (dilate). This “stretches the valves, making them less efficient at fighting gravity”.

In order to look after your health and avoid a blood clot, the surgeon has shared three tips to help keep you safe while in the air.

She firstly advises travellers to wear “amour” known as compression socks. These should be put on before the flight departs as they will mechanically direct blood flow and prevent swelling while in the air.

It is also essential that you consume 8oz (237ml) of water every hour you are airborne. Sadly, wine and coffee don’t count in this.

The last tip is referred to as “pumps”. Rema explained: “Every 30 minutes, do 30 ankle pumps. Pretend you are pressing a gas pedal. This manually activates the calf muscle to clear stagnant blood.”

She finished her advice by writing: “The truth: You wouldn’t drive a car without oil. Don’t fly a body without circulation.” In order to make sure you stay healthy throughout your flight, you may want to bear in mind these tips on your next journey.