Health Issues Aboard Airplanes More Common As people with
preexisting health conditions take more airplane trips and
flight times lengthen, medical problems aboard planes are
increasing. A study published online in the Lancet in Feb 2009
cited growing health care issues associated with air travel such
as the association between blood clots and long-haul flights,
radiation exposure, jet lag and cabin air quality. Even for
healthy passengers, low cabin pressure associated with cruising
altitudes can cause minor abdominal cramping and ear pain.
People should not travel for 14 days after major surgery because
of the risk of complications cased by low cabin pressure, the
study said. "In the modern travel era, clear understanding of
the medical consequences of commercial flights has become
increasingly important," the study's authors wrote. "Individuals
need to be aware of the possible medical complications of air
travel, and physicians should identify people at potential risk
from air travel and advise them of any