Attention Jet Setters Who Snore

Air travel just got more dangerous. A new report just came out indicating that flying strains the hearts of people with sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disorder; breathing becomes halted or very shallow for short bursts of time during sleep. Because of this, the levels of oxygen drop in the blood as not enough gets in through the nose or mouth. Imagine what this could mean for someone with heart or other vascular challenges.

Why Flying is More Dangerous for People with Apnea

It makes sense that the environment on a plane could exacerbate someone’s sleep apnea. (It exacerbates a lot of things, like people’s patience and flexibility.) Oxygen and pressure levels can change, and compounding the problem is the fact people who suffer from sleep apnea generally have higher metabolic demands during flights. In other words, their bodies—especially their hearts—have to work harder to stay fully oxygenated. It doesn’t help that many people who suffer from sleep apnea have another problem: obesity. The two often go hand in hand.

How Will This Affect Air Travel?

Flying isn’t as like it used to be. We now have to deal with smaller seats, packed planes, long waits, no food, and grumpy fellow passengers in general. It’s not pleasant to sit next to a stranger who begins to snore and creep over into your space.

Snoring is a hallmark sign of obstructive sleep apnea. If the obesity rates continue to climb, will we have to set new standards for air travel? Wider seats? Extra oxygen tanks? Extra defibrillators? Cautionary signs in front of our seats that say “Attention Snorers or People with Apnea: Please Avoid Sleeping."?

I know this all sounds so extreme, but it’s true that as a nation our obesity is raising the risk for all kinds of health challenges—many of which can be compounded on an airplane. If only people took to heart the fact that weight loss can cure so many problems, and in some cases, sleep apnea included.

But, if gas prices continue to soar, we could see an historic pullback in the number of people who can afford the luxury of flying. I’ve heard some speculate that flying will become an extravagance for the common person. The only jet setters left will be business types with corporate credit footing the bill. In any event, here’s some advice:

5 Ways to Make Air Travel Safe(r) If You Snore

1. Eat well the morning of your flight and carry healthy snacks. Avoid fatty foods that can raise blood cholesterol and tax your system.
2. Get yourself a C-pillow to support your head so you can nap comfortably in your seat, this will also keep your head from bobbing and cutting off your air.
3. Avoid napping entirely if you cannot get into a comfortable position that prevents snoring. If you’re seriously overweight, consider buying a business class ticket so you have more room.
4. Don’t do anything stressful during the flight. Enjoy this time to relax, read something light, or have a conversation with the person next to you.
5. If the cabin pressure changes and you sense a higher heart rate, focus on taking a few deep belly breaths. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Let your belly expand outward as you inhale, and back to resting position as you exhale.

Have a nice flight.

Comments

[Avramopoulos]

Hi

I think it is a warning but why?

[Dr. Mike, Ph.D. - The Sleep Doctor]

Laurence,
I'm out of the country, but will respond when I return.

[Laurence Barsh, DMD]

I was fascinated by this discussion when it was first released during the ATS meeting. As a dentist who has been involved with oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep apnea since the early '90s, I continually wonder why so little mention is made of the option of an oral appliance for those who cannot afford business class (with an electrical outlet for their CPAP units) so must fly in tourist class. For long overnight flights where sleep is essential, a dental device that maintained the mandible in a protruded position would keep the airway patent and be unobtrusive to other passengers. It is also an option for those with OSA (diagnosed or undiagnosed) who snore heavily even during daytime flights.

More information on oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep apnea and how specially educated and trained dentists can help, please visit www.quietsleep.com and www.snoringisntsexy.com.

Dr. Barsh