What to know before boarding a plane.

1. What can I do about jet lag?

Get plenty of sleep before you leave, don’t drink a lot of alcohol, eat well-balanced meals, avoid overeating, exercise as much as you can on your trip, use sleep medicines for only a few days.

2. How to ease pain in my ears?

If your ears hurt when you fly, try taking a decongestant medicine (such as pseudoephedrine) before you get on the plane. You can also swallow often and chew gum during the flight. Babies can suck on bottles or a pacifier during the flight.

3. What else should I do?

Even healthy people can get blood clots in their legs after long flights. Try to walk every now and then during your flight. It’s dangerous to fly immediately after scuba diving. You’ll need to wait 12 to 24 hours after diving. Ask your doctor or diving authorities for guidelines on flying after scuba diving.

4. While you’re traveling try to avoid taking overcrowded transportation. Try not to ride in vehicles without safety belts. Wear a helmet if you’ll be riding a motorcycle. Try to avoid driving at night or in unfamiliar areas without local help and directions.

Source: OC Health