Airplanes are considered the safest mode of transport, according to accident statistics. But despite this, many people experience severe anxiety and even fear during a flight. One of the most common ways to overcome it is by drinking alcohol. Alcohol is thought to help you relax and doze off for a few hours, or at least reduce anxiety. However, scientists do not recommend doing this, since drinking alcohol on an airplane can only aggravate the situation and negatively affect your health.
Scientists recommend avoiding alcoholic beverages during flights. Photo source: biletik.aero
What happens to the body if you drink alcohol on a plane
Flying on an airplane is stressful for the body, similar to climbing a mountain. As altitude increases, the pressure in the cabin decreases, as a result of which the oxygen concentration in the air also decreases. For this reason, the oxygen content in the blood decreases. Of course, the planes are pressurized, which makes it possible to minimize this effect, but still, at an altitude of about 10 thousand meters, the pressure in the cabin is approximately the same as on a mountain 2.5 km above sea level.
True, for a healthy person such changes may not be noticeable. In addition, the body has adaptation mechanisms. When the pressure decreases, the pulse quickens, the person begins to breathe more often or takes deeper breaths. In addition, other changes occur in the body's functioning that help adapt to high altitude.
Alcohol increases the negative effects of altitude on the body. Photo source: life.ru
However, drinking alcohol has been shown to disrupt this response in the body. True, exactly how it affects has not yet been fully studied. Scientists suggest that alcoholic drinks suppress ventilation. As a result, the supply of oxygen to the blood decreases. Studies have shown that after drinking alcohol on a plane, people's blood oxygen levels decreased and their heart rates increased. Thus, drinking alcohol puts a strain on the cardiovascular system, but that's not all.
Why you shouldn't drink alcohol during a flight
As mentioned above, most people drink alcohol during the flight to reduce anxiety and sleep. However, this is also not a good idea. New research suggests that alcohol exacerbates the effects of high altitude on the human body, including worsening sleep quality and increasing anxiety.
The quality and duration of sleep suffers at high altitude, even in healthy and sober people. People spend less time in the deep stages of sleep and in REM sleep. Due to lower oxygen levels, people are more likely to wake up and experience periods of apnea. In addition, cramped seats, turbulence, noise, etc. contribute to poor sleep quality.
Alcohol interferes with sleep and increases anxiety. Photo source: gq.ru
Alcohol, even at normal blood pressure, interferes with sleep. At first, it seems that alcohol, on the contrary, helps to fall asleep, since a person begins to feel drowsy after drinking it. But during sleep, the level of alcohol in the blood decreases, and at the same time it becomes a stimulant that makes you wake up. Added to this are dehydration and the negative effects of altitude on the body, resulting in a combination of factors that interfere with sleep and cause anxiety.
Who should not drink alcohol on a plane
Alcohol on a plane negatively affects the body of absolutely all people. However, young, healthy people tolerate this negative effect more easily. True, even in healthy people, prolonged decreases in blood oxygen levels can cause tissue damage. However, in most cases, the combined effects of alcohol and altitude do not last long.
Alcohol lovers should limit themselves to one glass of wine on the plane. Photo source: theguardian.com
The consequences may be more serious for people who are older or have existing chronic conditions. This is especially true for people with heart or lung disease. An increase in heart rate and a drop in oxygen levels in the blood can even cause heart failure.
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If a person cannot resist drinking alcohol on board an airplane, you should not drink more than one glass of wine or cocktail. Moreover, this should be done while eating. And most importantly — Alcohol should be washed down with plenty of water. As with normal blood pressure, this will reduce the negative effects of alcohol on the body.