The Health Risks of Airplanes Going Wireless and How to Protect Yourself
Air travel is already stressful on your body. Now there’s something new to keep in mind before takeoff.
Several airlines, such as AirTran, are introducing Wi-Fi on planes, for all of their flights.
Did you know that Wi-Fi on planes (and on the ground) emits electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that can negatively affect people, especially those with low immunity?
EMFs are areas of energy that surround electronic devices. The electric fields are created by differences in voltage and magnetic fields are created when the electric current flows.[1]
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that since our bodies have their own electric and biochemical responses (e.g., nervous system, digestion, brain function, heart function), exposure to EMFs can interact with the human body.
If you an sensitive to EMFs, they might create adverse health effects, such as:[2]
– Nervous system symptoms, like fatigue, stress and sleep disturbances
– Skin symptoms, like facial prickling, burning sensations and rashes
– Body symptoms, like pains and aches in your muscles
– Eye symptoms, such as burning sensations
– Foggy thinking and depression
– A variety of less common symptoms, like ear, nose, and throat symptoms and digestive disorders
Though EMF studies have largely been ignored due to industry pressure, the good news is that your can exercise caution and take steps to reduce your vulnerability to and the toxic effect of flying from Wi-Fi on planes and flying in general.
But EMFs aren’t the only thing to be aware of when traveling by plane.
The Toxic Effects of Flying
Remember that unique environmental and physiological changes occur as a result of changes in pressure during routine commercial air travel. These changes can exacerbate preexisting medical conditions, such as cardiac and lung conditions.
In addition, because airline cabins are commonly pressurized to altitudes of 1,524 to 2,438 meters (or about 5,000 to 8,000 feet, above sea level) people who lack enough oxygen in their blood can experience elevation sickness symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, lightheadedness and nausea.
And then there is jet lag, the temporary circadian rhythm disorder associated with long-haul flights and is characterized by sleep disturbances, fatigue, constipation and reduced coordination and cognitive skills. It is caused by the desynchronization between the body’s internal clock and the new light/dark cycle at the destination.
Here are some additional risks of flying:
1. Dehydration
2. Organ Stress
3. Cosmic Radiation
4. Blood Clots
5. Jet Lag and General Fatigue
6. Symptoms of Mountain Sickness
7. Digestive Distress
8. Ear Issues
9. Infectious Diseases
10.And now, EMFs!
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to stay healthy in-flight. The key is
preparation…it is your best defensive against travel-related illnesses.
Tips for Healthy Flying
Let’s face it, most of us are not going to stop flying…it’s a convenient part of many people’s lives.
But there ARE some things you can do to stay healthy during flights:
- Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is one of the most common ailments. Sufficient hydration is important to keep your body processes functioning smoothly.- The New York Times travel health expert, Dr. Mark Gendreau, says passenger cabins are notorious for having a low humidity that can exacerbate nasal and sinus problems, which can lead to sinusitis.
– Dehydration can also increase the risk of blood clots, general fatigue, and the chance of catching infectious diseases from sick passengers.
To stay hydrated, stay away from alcohol and caffeine. Instead, grab a large bottle of spring water once you pass through security and hydrate throughout the flight. The adrenals regulate hydrations and these 2 small but vital organs need plenty of extra minerals before, during and after your flight.
- Get enough rest. This can be a challenge before and during your trip. Plan ahead to get a good night’s sleep and your body will thank you! Take care of yourself and reduce stress before and after your trip, not just during it. Again, your adrenals take a huge hit when you fly. If you board your plane already wiped out and exhausted where will the energy come from to withstand the extra stress of flying. You MUST pamper your adrenals at this time. Your adrenals need extra Vitamin C, B-Vitamins and potent minerals.
- Plan ahead to reduce stress. Many of us are so busy planning and packing for travel that we actually increase our stress levels before flying. AND STRESS STRESSES YOUR ADRENALS.Instead of staying up late, eating meals on the rush, and burning the candle at both ends, you can take a few simple steps to make a big difference in how you feel and make travel more enjoyable.
- Don’t eat in-flight. Even healthy passengers may develop mild abdominal cramps and ear problems as gas in body cavities expands with rising altitudes.
Avoid the stomach cramps, headaches and ill effects of flying. Your body goes into fight or flight during air travel, which shuts down your digestion. To satisfy your hunger and hydrate during travel, use vitamin-mineral-probiotic rich Vitality SuperGreen instead! Just drop two scoops of Vitality SuperGreen into a baggie or container and add it to your water for a nutritious, delicious and immune-boosting drink. Learn more about Vitality SuperGreen and get yours today.Now Vitality SuperGreen comes in convenient new capsules!
The solution? Don’t eat while in the air! Instead:
– Several days before your trip, consume plenty of probiotic-rich fermented foods and drinks. In fact, if you make fermented foods and drinks a regular part of your daily diet, you will be giving your body a boost in energy, immunity and digestive health! They are a must for having hardy adrenals that allow you to fly without feeling wiped out! They contain those precious microflora that make B vitamins for you. And they make them right down inside your gut. Remember, B Vitamins, Vitamin C and minerals are the most important nutrients for your adrenals. Cultured Vegetables are also an excellent source of vitamin C. And by simply drinking several ounces per day of one of our delicious probiotic liquids like our InnergyBiotic you will be establishing an inner ecosystem full of microflora who will extract and retain minerals right down inside you to nourish your adrenals.Indeed, probiotic foods are perhaps your greatest assets for your pre-travel nutrition.– Plan your trip meals for before and after the flight. This can be tough to do when airport meals are often low quality processed foods. Choose some healthy snacks to bring with you.
– Drink decaffeinated tea. There are so many benefits to drinking green and black tea, but especially for air travel, avoid the caffeine! Instead, carry convenient Body Ecology Green Tea or Black Tea Concentrates. Body Ecology Green Tea and Black Tea Concentrates are easy-to-use liquids that allow you to add drops to your hot or cold water for an instant, antioxidant-rich drink. They are also small enough to pass Transportation Security Administration (TSA) standards, so you can carry them on the plane with you!
– Satisfy your appetite with healthy vitamin-mineral-probiotic rich Vitality SuperGreen. If you get hungry, a couple of scoops of Vitality SuperGreen in water is an easy-to-digest way to satisfy your hunger AND help you stay hydrated until you reach your destination.
- Take special precautions if you are pregnant. Cosmic radiation is a form of radiation that comes from outside the solar system, and from particles released during solar flares.- Pregnant air travelers warrant special consideration, since recent studies show that the fetus is exposed to the same amounts of radiation as the mother, and excessive exposure has been associated with congenital and cognitive problems.[3]
– Pregnant women should have a radiation exposure limit of no more than 1 millisievert during the whole pregnancy, which equates to approximately 200 flight hours during the pregnancy, according to Dr. Mark Gendreau.
You deserve to take the time out for yourself: to minimize stress, get enough sleep, plan your nourishment and hydrate. When you return from your business trip or vacation feeling more rested and relaxed, you’ll be happy you did!
Sources:
- What Are Electromagnetic Fields? World Health Organization.
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/
- Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Sept/Oct 173-175, 2002. http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/embs/comar/Hypersensitivity.htm
- Travel Health: Jet Lag, Cosmic Radiation and In-Flight Emergencies
http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/travel-health-jet-lag-cosmic-radiation-and-in-flight-emergencies/