11 Things Traveling on a Plane Does to Your Body

Low oxygen may make you feel sleepy or headachy

Millions of people travel by plane every single day. If you’re planning on being one of them soon, you might not be looking forward to the yucky feeling air travel often leaves you with. Besides the airport crowds and stress, traveling at such a high altitude has real effects on the body. Although the barometric pressure of the cabin is adjusted to prevent altitude sickness, you could still experience sleepiness or a headache. “The lower oxygen pressure found in an aircraft cabin is equivalent to 6,000 to 8,000 feet of altitude, similar to that of Mexico City,” says Paulo M. Alves, MD, global medical director of aviation health for the medical and travel safety services company MedAire. “Oxygen partial pressure drops accordingly, creating a mild hypoxia [low oxygen], which can cause headache in some susceptible individuals.” One study from the U.K. showed passengers’ oxygen levels dropped 4 percent, which could be a concern if you have heart or lung problems. To help prevent headaches, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Here are some other ways to make sure you don’t get sick on a long flight.

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