The article will try to figure out whether it is possible to fly a plane after a stroke and what it is fraught with.
No one is safe from diseases in this world, some of them can seriously threaten human life. For example, a stroke has the second position in the list of deadly ailments. What is this pathology and how is it dangerous for the patient?
A stroke is a circulatory disorder that causes the death of cells in the brain, the result will be either death or disability of varying severity.
Stroke: root causes
Is it possible to fly a plane after a stroke, we will understand below. In the meantime, we find out what provokes the ailment.
The main reason for this dangerous pathology is that one of the vessels in the brain is clogged with blood clots or foreign objects. Blood does not break through this barrier, as a result of acute oxygen starvation, and some of the cells die. This phenomenon is called "ischemic stroke." Is it possible to fly after such a pathology, it is better to find out in advance.
A hemorrhagic stroke is when an artery ruptures and blood flows through the external tissue of the brain, which leads to edema, under which the death of cells and nerve fibers occurs.
The main thing is timely help
This ailment for human health is very dangerous, half of the cases are fatal. But if in time to provide the patient with medical care, his life can be saved. After a stroke has occurred, the patient needs to be placed in the intensive care unit for 3-4 hours, in some cases, a neurosurgeon's operation will be required. The less time it takes the road to the hospital, the higher the chances that a person will remain alive and not become disabled. However, the area of the affected area of the brain is important: serious complications cannot be avoided if it is large.
Long rehabilitation
Even with a successful operation, the patient will undergo rehabilitation for a long time. Most people after a stroke learn to live anew and deal with the negative consequences of the disease. Habitual life in a patient on average can begin only after 2 months. Much more time is required to return to work; driving a car or business trip to other cities and countries is inaccessible to many for a very long time.
Patients who have had a stroke in the recent past, whose life has been wholly or partially associated with travel, ask the doctors a question: “Is it possible to fly an airplane after a stroke?”
Will the flight be allowed?
As a rule, the answer of the doctors will be positive. You can use air transport, but only there are certain conditions and restrictions. This is important to remember. The problem is that, in fact, the flight is a tedious and difficult process, even for a healthy person.
Due to severe changes in pressure, stress and panic, an unfavorable atmosphere in the cabin, repeated hemorrhage in the brain can occur, which will be fatal for most patients. Especially scary is that qualified assistance will not be provided, because at the height it is impossible to do this.
What points should be considered?
So, what is the opinion of doctors about whether it is possible to fly after a stroke? Typically, attending physicians allow such trips if the following points are taken into account:
- How much time has passed. If after surgery more than six months have passed, but not less than 2 months. A big plus if during this period hazardous to health complications did not arise. That is, after a full recovery after a stroke, you can fly.
- The quality of rehabilitation. The recovery period for the patient was completed successfully, massage and physical exercises were used.
- What is the level of blood pressure? It should be normal, without a sharp rise and fall, the threshold of 140/90 should not be exceeded. The regular use of prescribed medications is important.
- Is the patient subject to aerophobia? Is it possible to fly after a brain stroke if there is a fear of flying? It is imperative that the person does not suffer from aerophobia, as it provokes severe excitement and stress.
If all conditions are met and the patient has confidence in his abilities, then he is allowed to fly and certain recommendations are prescribed.
Preparation must be correct
We continue to understand whether it is possible to fly after a stroke. In advance, the patient must prepare himself and his vessels for a high load.
The preparation process includes:
- Taking certain drugs. Most often, doctors prescribe special blood-thinning medications (aspirin is considered the most popular), which prevent blood clots in the vessels and relapse.
- Passing surveys. Before the flight, an electrocardiogram and ultrasound of the vessels of the head are required. This is required to eliminate the likelihood of aneurysm formation. During the flight, pressure drops are not excluded, and aneurysm may rupture, which will lead to fatal hemorrhage in the brain in an airplane after a stroke.
- Own first-aid kit. The patient must foresee in advance which medicines he will take with him on the plane. The first-aid kit should consist of medicines that stabilize the pressure, and sedatives, and anti-motion sickness medications will also be useful.
If the preparation is carried out correctly by the patient, then you can fly after a stroke.
Also, the trip will be comfortable if you purchase special pillows under your head, in this way the unnecessary load on the cervical spine and blood vessels will be reduced. Before the flight, excessively fatty foods are contraindicated, it is better to prefer a light meal.
Aggravation of symptoms at height
At altitude, the typical symptoms of hypertension are aggravated:
- The occurrence of migraine - cerebrovascular disease due to prolonged spasm of the vessels of the head. A dangerous complication is the cerebral form of hypertension (stroke). So that arterial hypertension does not proceed in a malignant form, it is worth defeating migraine in the initial stage.
- The appearance of pressing chest pain. The heart works in an enhanced mode, so unpleasant sensations in the chest can turn out to be angina pectoris. If there is a history of hypertensive myocardial ischemia, they should fly with the airplane with great caution.
- The presence of severe shortness of breath. Limited space and elevation leads to a feeling of lack of oxygen, the appearance of reflex dyspnea in response to stress is not excluded. So that real suffocation does not occur, the patient's breathing should be deep and even, oxygen cocktails can come to the rescue.
- The development of tachycardia. The intense work of the vessels leads to a rapid heartbeat, because they quickly pump a large amount of blood. This leads to vasospasm and tension of their walls.
Maybe you should choose another transport?
A person must take responsibility for his condition during the trip. After a micro stroke, you can fly on an airplane. However, if it is possible to choose a mode of transport, it is better to prefer a bus or train. Let it take longer, but many health unpleasant moments can be avoided.
What is the danger of flying after a stroke?
However, the patient during the flight in any case may experience various kinds of problems that cannot be foreseen.
So, the problems may be the following:
- Dry air. The skin dries quickly due to the operation of air conditioners in airplanes, it is unpleasant that the body is quickly dehydrated. But this provokes a thickening of the blood in the vessels, which can turn into a mortal danger for a person after a stroke.
Therefore, you need to drink more fluids, but not tea and coffee, namely pure water, and still. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited, their effect is detrimental to the cardiovascular system, as a result of a heart attack.
Long sitting position
Passengers on the plane for a long time remain without movement. Hypodynamia can cause thrombosis, as a result - a relapse of a stroke. This opportunity will be higher the longer the flight lasts. Usually flights last more than five hours, so passengers often swell feet.
Using compression underwear under normal clothing will help prevent this. Women can buy special compression tights. They will disperse the blood in the place of stagnation. Sometimes it is permissible to get up at least once and walk around the cabin, of course, when it is not forbidden. To disperse blood throughout the body, it is good to rotate with the hands, feet and neck. In general, simple wellness exercises will help.
The discomfort
Sitting for a long time is uncomfortable due to the small distance between the seats. To improve your position, you can take off your shoes and put on slippers, so that blood will better flow into the feet. It will not be superfluous to use a special pillow under the neck, its benefits have already been mentioned above.
Stress, excitement, fear
This is best avoided. Worrying during the flight is normal. This affects women and men equally. To reduce stress, drink sedatives: safe drug "Novo-Passit" or tincture of valerian.
The most dangerous moments of the flight for the patient will be take-off and landing, as well as turbulence.
Landing and takeoff
Their main danger is that atmospheric pressure changes at this time. This negatively affects the work of the cardiovascular system. In the cabin, oxygen becomes less, which leads to dizziness, shortness of breath and problems in the work of the heart. This all adversely affects the patient after a stroke and can cause rebleeding. What is the danger of flying an airplane after a stroke?
Turbulence
There is an unpleasant vibration when the plane enters air holes. The heart rhythm under its influence may be disturbed, as well as blood circulation and blood supply to the brain. A new blood clot forms, and subsequently a second stroke.
The only advice in this case will be the following. You need to calm down and try to sleep. Nothing bad should happen when all the recommendations of the doctors are followed, especially if the patient kept his blood pressure under control throughout the flight, consumed enough fluid and stretched his legs. The journey will be comfortable and without serious consequences. How to fly after a stroke?
How to transport a sick person by plane?
It is possible to avoid many problems during the flight if the special condition of the body is agreed in advance with the air carrier even at the stage of ticket booking.
It is important to understand that if transportation involves a transfer, then the conditions must be agreed along the entire route.
Are there any age restrictions for old people? If an elderly person does not have special health problems, then a medical certificate and support will not be required. A person needs help only during boarding and alighting.
At the stage of booking a ticket, limited mobility and possible additional assistance should be notified (about a special diet, special services - for example, receiving strollers, wheelchairs at the airport), etc.
Passengers requiring special assistance in the cabin must be issued a medical certificate by a doctor.
If necessary, have an accompanying person, a second place in the cabin is provided next to the stretcher.
Patients are embarked before the remaining passengers are embarked, and disembarkation after all.
Disabled persons must fly with accompanying persons. If the transportation is carried out under the supervision of the carrier, then you need to obtain consent in advance from the company itself, and it must be executed in writing.
People who are blind or hearing impaired must also be accompanied. If this is not possible, a guide dog may be present on board. Typically, such a dog may be in the cabin without a cage if:
- man depends on the animal;
- there is a certificate of training for such needs;
- she has a muzzle, the animal is located at the feet of a person.
Before any flight of persons who are in special conditions, you should consult your doctor.
In order for the flight to be performed by a sick, disabled or elderly person on a scheduled flight, and these categories of citizens need care, a certain number of seats are bought for accompanying people - medical staff, close people.
We examined the question of whether it is possible to fly an airplane after a stroke.