In the article we will try to figure out whether it is possible to fly on a plane after a stroke and what it is fraught with.
No one is immune 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 why is it dangerous for the patient?
A stroke is a circulatory disorder that causes the death of cells in the brain, resulting in either death or disability of varying severity.
Stroke: the main causes
Is it possible to fly a plane after a stroke, we'll figure it out below. In the meantime, we will find out what provokes the disease.
The main reason for this dangerous pathology is that one of the vessels of the brain is blocked by blood clots or foreign objects. Blood through this barrier does not break through, as a result, there is an acute oxygenstarvation, 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 over the outer tissue of the brain, resulting in edema, under which cells and nerve fibers die.
The main thing is timely help
This disease is very dangerous for human he alth, half of the cases are fatal. But if medical assistance is provided to the patient in time, his life can be saved. After a stroke has occurred, the patient must be placed in the intensive care unit within 3-4 hours, in some cases, an operation by a neurosurgeon will be required. The less time it takes to get 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 again and deal with the negative consequences of the disease. The usual life of the patient, on average, can begin only after 2 months. It takes much longer to return to work; driving a car or business trips to other cities and countries are inaccessible to many for a very long time.
Patients who have had a recent stroke, who have had full or partial liferelated to travel, ask doctors: “Is it possible to fly on a plane after a stroke?”
Will the flight be allowed?
As a rule, the answer of doctors will be positive. You can use air transport, but 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 he althy person.
Due to severe pressure drops, stress and panic, unfavorable atmosphere in the cabin, a repeated cerebral hemorrhage can occur, which for most patients will be fatal. It is especially scary that qualified assistance will not be provided, because it is impossible to do this at a height.
What points to consider?
So, what is the opinion of doctors about whether it is possible to fly after a stroke? Usually, attending physicians allow such travel if the following points are taken into account:
- How much time has passed. If more than six months have passed after the operation, but not less than 2 months. A big plus if no he alth-threatening complications have arisen during this period. That is, after full recovery from a stroke, you can fly.
- Quality of rehabilitation. The recovery period for the patient was completed successfully, massage and exercise were used.
- How high is your blood pressure? It should be normal, without a sharp rise and fall, the threshold of 140/90 should not be exceeded. Regular intake of prescribed medications is important.
- Subject toaerophobia patient? Is it possible to fly after a brain stroke if there is a fear of flying? It is extremely important that a person does not suffer from aerophobia, as it provokes great 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 right
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 drugs (aspirin is considered the most popular), which prevent blood clots in the vessels and the recurrence of pathology.
- Passing examinations. Before the flight, an electrocardiogram and an ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head are required. This is required to exclude the possibility of aneurysm formation. During the flight, pressure drops are not ruled out, and an aneurysm can rupture, leading to a fatal brain hemorrhage on the plane after a stroke.
- Own first aid kit. The patient must foresee which medications he will take with him on the plane. The first-aid kit should consist of medicines that stabilize blood pressure and sedatives, and anti-motion sickness drugs will also not be superfluous.
If the preparation is carried out by the patient correctly, then it is possible to fly after a stroke.
Also, the trip will be comfortable if you purchase special pillows for your head, in this way the unnecessary load on the cervical region and blood vessels will be reduced. Excessively fatty food is contraindicated before the flight, it is better to prefer light food.
Worse symptoms at altitude
At altitude, typical symptoms of hypertension worsen:
- The onset of migraine - a cerebrovascular disease due to prolonged spasm of the vessels of the head. A dangerous complication is the cerebral form of hypertension (stroke). To prevent arterial hypertension from proceeding in a malignant form, it is worth defeating migraine at the initial stage.
- Appearance of pressing retrosternal pain. The heart works in an enhanced mode, so discomfort in the chest can be angina. If there is a history of myocardial ischemia in hypertensive patients, they should fly with great caution.
- Presence of severe shortness of breath. Limited space and climbing to a height leads to a feeling of lack of oxygen, the appearance of reflex shortness of breath in response to stress is not excluded. To avoid real suffocation, the patient's breathing should be deep and even, oxygen cocktails can come to the rescue.
- 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 in their walls.
Maybe we should choose another transport?
Responsibility for one's ownthe state of the person during the trip must take over. After a microstroke, you can fly on an airplane. However, if there is a choice of mode of transport, it is better to prefer a bus or train. Let it take longer to get there, but many unpleasant moments with he alth can be avoided.
How dangerous is flying after a stroke?
However, the patient during the flight in any case may experience various kinds of problems that cannot be foreseen in advance.
So, the problems may be as follows:
Dry air. The skin dries quickly due to the operation of air conditioners in aircraft, the unpleasant thing is that the body quickly dehydrates. But this provokes a thickening of blood in the vessels, which can turn into a mortal danger for a person after a stroke
Therefore, you need to drink more liquids, but not tea and coffee, but pure water, and still. Alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited, their effect is detrimental to the cardiovascular system, as a result, a heart attack can occur.
Long sitting position
Passengers on the plane are motionless for a long time. Hypodynamia can provoke thrombosis, as a result - a relapse of a stroke. This possibility will be higher the longer the flight lasts. Usually flights last more than five hours, so the feet are often swollen.
Using compression stockings under normal clothing will help prevent this. Women can buy special compression stockings. They aredisperse the blood in the place of its stagnation. Sometimes it is permissible to get up at least once and walk around the cabin, of course, when this is not prohibited. To disperse blood through the body, it is good to rotate the hands, feet and neck. In general, simple he alth-improving gymnastics will help.
Discomfort
Sitting for a long time is uncomfortable due to the small distance between the chairs. To improve your position, you can take off your shoes and put on slippers, thereby blood will flow better into the feet. It will not be superfluous to use a special pillow under the neck, its benefits have already been mentioned above.
Stress, anxiety, fear
This is best avoided. It's normal to be nervous during a flight. This affects both women and men equally. To reduce stress levels, they drink a sedative: the Novo-Passit drug or valerian tincture is safe.
The most dangerous moments of the flight for the patient will be takeoff and landing, as well as turbulence.
Landing and takeoff
Their main danger is that at this time the atmospheric pressure changes. 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. All this adversely affects the patient after a stroke and can cause re-hemorrhage. What else is dangerous about flying after a stroke?
Turbulence
There is an unpleasant vibration when the plane hits air pockets. The heart rhythm under its influence can be disturbed, as well as blood circulation and blood supply to the head.brain. A new blood clot forms, and subsequently a second stroke.
The only advice in this case would be the following. You need to calm down and try to sleep. If all the recommendations of the doctors are followed, nothing bad should happen, especially if throughout the flight the patient kept the pressure level under control, consumed enough liquid 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?
Many problems can be avoided during the flight if the special condition of the body is discussed in advance with the air carrier at the stage of booking the ticket.
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 the elderly? If the elderly person does not have any special he alth problems, then a medical certificate and accompaniment will not be required. A person needs help only when boarding and disembarking.
At the stage of booking a ticket about reduced mobility and possible additional assistance should be notified (about a special diet, special services - for example, getting a wheelchair at the airport), etc.
Passengers requiring special assistance in the cabin must be issued a medical certificate by a physician.
If necessary, have an accompanying person, a second seat in the cabin is provided next to the stretcher.
The landing of the sickbefore boarding other passengers, and disembarking 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 prior consent from the company itself, and it must be in writing.
People who are blind or deaf must also be accompanied. If this is not possible, a guide dog may be present on board. Usually such a dog can be in the cabin without a cage if:
- man depends on animal;
- there is a certificate of training for such needs;
- she has a muzzle, the animal is located at the person's feet.
People with special medical conditions should consult their he althcare provider prior to any flight.
In order for a sick, disabled or elderly person to fly on a scheduled aircraft, and these categories of citizens need care, a certain number of seats are purchased for accompanying persons - medical staff, loved ones.
We considered whether it is possible to fly on a plane after a stroke.
