Consuming this drink on airplane can be dangerous even for young healthy people
Drinking alcohol while traveling by plane (photo: Freepik)
When traveling by plane, it is important to limit the consumption of certain drinks that can worsen your health. Scientists have found that drinking alcohol before going to bed on an airplane can be harmful, according to the Thorax bmj journals website.
The effect of alcohol
People who fell asleep after drinking alcohol in low air pressure conditions in airplanes had decreased blood oxygen levels and increased heart rate.
Researchers say that this trend can be observed even in young and healthy people.
Researcher Daniel Rooney of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine said that the combination of alcohol and sleep in low air pressure conditions puts a significant load on the cardiovascular system. This can lead to an exacerbation of symptoms in people with heart or lung disease, and potentially increase the risk of health complications in the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions.
In the study, 48 healthy adults aged 18 to 40 were divided into two groups. One group slept in a sleep laboratory with air pressure at sea level, and the other in a pressure chamber with pressure similar to that in airplanes.
In each group, 12 participants slept for four hours after drinking alcohol equivalent to two cans of beer or two glasses of wine. The other 12 people in each group slept without alcohol.
As a result, the participants who drank alcohol before going to bed in the pressure chamber had an average decrease in blood oxygen saturation of 85% and an increase in heart rate of 88 beats per minute.
Those participants who drank alcohol at sea level before going to bed had blood oxygen saturation levels dropped to 95% and a heart rate increased to 77 beats per minute.
Norms that should be observed
Drinking alcohol on an airplane can be dangerous because it can lead to faster dehydration, as the air can be dry on an airplane.
In addition, due to dehydration and the diuretic effect of alcohol, in some cases, it can lead to dizziness, fainting, or lethargy.
Drinking alcohol on airplanes can lead to impaired consciousness or fogginess. The lower air level in airplanes can make us feel sleepy, as the brain can be sensitive to a lack of oxygen.
It is important to remember that if you have a long-distance flight, it is better to refrain from alcohol to get better rest.
Earlier, we reported why passengers should board an airplane as soon as possible.
We also wrote about the best time to travel by plane if you are going on vacation with children.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
