Physiological affects of Flying...
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Physiological affects of Flying...
Hi guys! just like to start by saying i've been looking at this forum for months now and only joined yesterday (don't ask why i never did in the first place cuz i have no idea!) so glad to be a part of the communtiy now! I'm 20 years old and currently studying in a one year course for a certificate in Travel and Tourism and an International Academy of Travel certificate to become cabin crew. It's been my biggest dream forever and i've never been more serious about anything in my life!
anyway, introduction over, i have a question,
I have stomach problems sometimes like digestive problems etc
, It doesnt stop me completely i can stand the sharp pains during my day-to-day activities, but Would this affect flying? like, would flying make it worse?
Also, what are the main physiological affects of flying that you find happen more frequently? I read it all in my Manual for college, but I've only ever had one Mentor that was cabin crew and i never asked her!
Would love to hear real stories/opinions.
Thanks Guys!!
anyway, introduction over, i have a question,
I have stomach problems sometimes like digestive problems etc
, It doesnt stop me completely i can stand the sharp pains during my day-to-day activities, but Would this affect flying? like, would flying make it worse?Also, what are the main physiological affects of flying that you find happen more frequently? I read it all in my Manual for college, but I've only ever had one Mentor that was cabin crew and i never asked her!
Would love to hear real stories/opinions.
Thanks Guys!!
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While I'm not medically qualified, I doubt flying would aggravate the condition, but bear in mind there is a high physical workload at times. As long as the condition isn't "incapacitating" on the ground you should be fine.
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thanks so much G-TTIC. its not incapacitating it's just uncomfortable! and it doesnt happen too often but i'm just taking extra precautions. i'm quite a busy person as it is between college work and social life and often have very long days and i can manage, its just the altitude i'm worried about!
I'm also trying to research other side affects of flying that people may have experienced, its probably the ONLY thing im worried about right now hindering my potential to be a hard working excellent CCM!
thanks again!
I'm also trying to research other side affects of flying that people may have experienced, its probably the ONLY thing im worried about right now hindering my potential to be a hard working excellent CCM!
thanks again!
Gender Faculty Specialist
Check out this link to the CAA website, lots of helpful stuff.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/923/Fitnes...sstoFlyPDF.pdf
P.s. Do you really have million dollar legs!?
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/923/Fitnes...sstoFlyPDF.pdf
P.s. Do you really have million dollar legs!?
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I take it you are not a cross-dresser.
Food-wise you should avoid fat and celluose - bacon and beans. Reduce carbohydrates and maintain a proper water balance.
Even at low cabin altitudes the atmosphere is drier than on the ground and you will dehydrate. You must therefore drink plenty of water but as CC you will not be able to pop to the loo every 5 minutes, hence the balance.
Your job is your feet or vica versa. You will be on your feet for much of the time, even when not pushing or pulling a trolley uphill for 6000 miles. Good, well fitting shoes will be essential. I can't comment on clothing and shall leave that to others other than to say your uniform might not be what you would chose for comfort.
Food-wise you should avoid fat and celluose - bacon and beans. Reduce carbohydrates and maintain a proper water balance.
Even at low cabin altitudes the atmosphere is drier than on the ground and you will dehydrate. You must therefore drink plenty of water but as CC you will not be able to pop to the loo every 5 minutes, hence the balance.
Your job is your feet or vica versa. You will be on your feet for much of the time, even when not pushing or pulling a trolley uphill for 6000 miles. Good, well fitting shoes will be essential. I can't comment on clothing and shall leave that to others other than to say your uniform might not be what you would chose for comfort.
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sharp pains during my day-to-day activities
Even less so for a healthy 19 year old.
First thing you need to do is to check with your mother and with a medical professional. A dietitian and a mental health professional might be worth talking to as well.
Things you need to find out:
- Is everything as it should between your mouth and your anus?
- Do you eat and drink properly?
- Do you exercise regularly?
- Are you of a nervous disposition and does this affect your bodily functions?
I repeat, regularly suffering from sharp pains during your day to day activities is NOT normal. Being a flight attendant is physically and emotionally hard work. You work very long hours, you can not escape your pax for a quick breather, and you need to be 'fit for flight' at all times when on duty.
.. imagine having to open a heavy aircraft door in an evacuation, you are suffering sharp pains just then and have to wait until they pass... wouldn't work would it? ...
Being an FA requires robust good health, and at your age, unless you suffer from a medical condition, there is no reason why you should not enjoy that.
Stop worrying about the petty stuff, deal with the serious stuff instead and get your bowel problems sorted!
Good luck.
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Just adding to flaps forty:
Get checked out by a doctor for alergies and probably go see a dietician if you think it could be food. People find out that they may have certain allergies that cause these pains and a change in diet may be all that it takes to get rid of them. EG Celiac (or Coeliac) disease which is due to a reaction caused by gluten in the diet.
Thats just one example of the sorts of things that have been discovered by medicine in recent times.
Take care of your health before you start flying.
Get checked out by a doctor for alergies and probably go see a dietician if you think it could be food. People find out that they may have certain allergies that cause these pains and a change in diet may be all that it takes to get rid of them. EG Celiac (or Coeliac) disease which is due to a reaction caused by gluten in the diet.
Thats just one example of the sorts of things that have been discovered by medicine in recent times.
Take care of your health before you start flying.
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Thanks guys thats loads of info!
The last reply especially i think it could be an allergy. Maybe i could be lactose intolerant. I exaggerated the sharp pains. if anyones every suffered indegestion and heartburn i'm sure you'd know!
The last reply especially i think it could be an allergy. Maybe i could be lactose intolerant. I exaggerated the sharp pains. if anyones every suffered indegestion and heartburn i'm sure you'd know!
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The effects of flying on the body list is quite big, the most common i've found;
-ALWAYS feeling tired, no matter how much sleep you get and your normal sleeping patterns go out the window
-Bloating and much worse cellulite than I had before flying
-ALWAYS getting colds or some kind of sickness
-Stinky feet (haha I think it's wearing stockings for such long periods)
-Dehidration (I find it REALLY hard to drink enough water) and then if you do drink enough, always running to the loo
-On days off, the desire to just hide away from people and public places
-Also during new conditions negotiations SERIOUS stress/resentment/ anger lol but thats another story
all in all though I still love my job and despite the list of effects, all jobs to some degree effect the body in one negative way or another and flight attending is no different
-ALWAYS feeling tired, no matter how much sleep you get and your normal sleeping patterns go out the window
-Bloating and much worse cellulite than I had before flying
-ALWAYS getting colds or some kind of sickness
-Stinky feet (haha I think it's wearing stockings for such long periods)
-Dehidration (I find it REALLY hard to drink enough water) and then if you do drink enough, always running to the loo
-On days off, the desire to just hide away from people and public places
-Also during new conditions negotiations SERIOUS stress/resentment/ anger lol but thats another story
all in all though I still love my job and despite the list of effects, all jobs to some degree effect the body in one negative way or another and flight attending is no different
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Altitude Physiology
I think Flaps Forty has the best suggestion so far MDL... Have some thorough checks before you start flying.
Even the most trivial conditions can be exascerbated by flying (e.g. Headache, toothache etc ...)
If you have heartburn and indigestion frequently, there can be a number of causes for this, and until you get it diagnosed, you may not be able to treat it effectively...
If you take it back to basic terms... When an aircraft becomes pressurised when reaching altitude, everything (you've seen what happens to a packet of crisps inflight?) is filled with pressurised air... That includes your stomach, (hence bloating). This may not be an issue during the flight, but when it comes to depressurising the cabin (or heaven forbid a decompression), all that pressurised air will vent out of your system (in all manner of ways!
) Thus unsettling your stomach contents etc. If there is for example a problem related to your 'gastric juices' , that niggling pain may become something a lot worse! ... As flaps forty said... Do you think you'd then be able to a door on hearing the command to evacuate when you're in that amount of pain?
I'm not trying to put a dampener on things for you at all, but please consider your own health first, and get it checked.
Remember in an aircraft you are also working with reduced oxygen levels... Your body is already working harder itself to keep functioning normally, add onto that physical and mental exertion, as well as the normal stressors of flying ...
You are your number one priority.... Take care or yourself first eh?
BoB
Even the most trivial conditions can be exascerbated by flying (e.g. Headache, toothache etc ...)
If you have heartburn and indigestion frequently, there can be a number of causes for this, and until you get it diagnosed, you may not be able to treat it effectively...
If you take it back to basic terms... When an aircraft becomes pressurised when reaching altitude, everything (you've seen what happens to a packet of crisps inflight?) is filled with pressurised air... That includes your stomach, (hence bloating). This may not be an issue during the flight, but when it comes to depressurising the cabin (or heaven forbid a decompression), all that pressurised air will vent out of your system (in all manner of ways!
) Thus unsettling your stomach contents etc. If there is for example a problem related to your 'gastric juices' , that niggling pain may become something a lot worse! ... As flaps forty said... Do you think you'd then be able to a door on hearing the command to evacuate when you're in that amount of pain?I'm not trying to put a dampener on things for you at all, but please consider your own health first, and get it checked.
Remember in an aircraft you are also working with reduced oxygen levels... Your body is already working harder itself to keep functioning normally, add onto that physical and mental exertion, as well as the normal stressors of flying ...
You are your number one priority.... Take care or yourself first eh?
BoB
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Thanks so much Bob! I think it will save a whole lot of hassle also if i go to get a check before, because I'm so paranoid of my health keeping me from flying that I've become somewhat a hypo-chondriac! And getting my stomach checked and maybe a few other things will put my mind to rest.
Lastly, I had training in Waterford Airport yesterday with an Aer Lingus SCM who's on maternity leave, she was so lovely. Anyway, She also reassured me that my big hips and bum won't be an issue with airlines at recruiting, (considering i stand at 5'8'' and have a healthy Body Mass Index) and when they say weight in proportion they don't mean the girls with normal bums and a bit of meat on them should stay at home and not bother applying! So phewww, one other worry thrown out the window!
Lastly, I had training in Waterford Airport yesterday with an Aer Lingus SCM who's on maternity leave, she was so lovely. Anyway, She also reassured me that my big hips and bum won't be an issue with airlines at recruiting, (considering i stand at 5'8'' and have a healthy Body Mass Index) and when they say weight in proportion they don't mean the girls with normal bums and a bit of meat on them should stay at home and not bother applying! So phewww, one other worry thrown out the window!
