10 Air Travel Health Tips

1. Boost your immune system with doses of echinacea and vitamin C three days before your trip. There are more germs circulating in the air on planes than you can shake a stick at. Don't ruin your trip by getting sick.

2. Take an acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) tablet the day before a long flight, the day of the flight, and for three days afterward. Have you heard of deep-vein thrombosis, also known as "economy-class syndrome"? When you sit without moving around for long hours, the blood pools in the legs. That could lead to a blood clot, and if that blood clot travels to your lungs or another important organ, it could be deadly. ASA, found in products like Aspirin, thins the blood, making clots less likely.

3. Pack three chamomile tea bags in your carry-on bag. When the airline attendant comes around with drinks, ask for a cup of hot water and dunk the tea bag. The herbal tea will soothe your travel jitters and relax you enough so you can get some sleep on the plane, arriving refreshed.

4. Avoid sitting with your legs crossed. Instead, prop your feet on some carry-on luggage to make yourself more comfortable.

5. Bring a bottle of water and a bag of healthy snacks in your carry-on bag even for what should be a short flight. Not only do fewer airlines serve food these days, but unexpected delays  can send your blood sugar plummeting.

6. Keep your nasal passages and ears clear by taking a decongestant as directed 24 hours before your flight. This will shrink the membranes in your sinuses and ears.

7. Chew gum, swallow vigorously, or yawn widely when the plane is taking off or landing. This will equalize the pressure in your middle ear.

8. Skip the alcohol during the flight. The air in the plane is dry enough; alcohol just dehydrates you even more. The same goes for caffeinated drinks.

9. Avoid removing your shoes during the flight. You'll end up with swollen feet due to the low air pressure in the cabin, and your shoes will be uncomfortable when you put them back on.

10. Dress in layers. Planes are often too hot or too cold. Stay in control of your own temperature by having layers to add or subtract.

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