Flying with Chronic Illness

Traveling can be stressful, especially when flying. If you have heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis, it can make things even harder. But everyone deserves an adventure, so it’s important to be prepared. Knowing how to get ready, what to bring, and what to do if your illness interrupts your travel is great information to pack!

Pre-Travel Planning With Chronic Illness

As soon as the hotel and airplane tickets are booked, be sure to book an appointment with your doctor. Knowing that your chronic illness is well managed before you go is the best way to ensure it doesn’t become a problem at your destination. Confirm you have enough medication for the trip and a little extra for an unforeseen delay. Your doctor can help you with any vaccination updates needed for your trip and advise you on how to adjust your medication schedule if you are changing time zones.

If you need to buy something special, like a cooler for insulin, make sure it’s FAA approved. If you need a CPAP machine for sleep, get conversion plugs if you are traveling abroad and confirm that you will have access to distilled water. Check with your airline to book any accommodations you may need during your flight, like wheelchairs or pre-boarding. If you have a therapy dog, visit the vet to make sure they are ready to travel and gather any necessary documentation if you are going abroad.

In Flight with Chronic Illness

While there are certain risks associated with long-distance air travel, they can also be managed with planning. Blood clots are a risk all people face due to immobility on a flight. If you have a chronic illness, like heart disease, that increases your risk, you’ll want to be extra vigilant in keeping the blood flowing in your legs- where most dangerous clots originate. Wear compression stockings and stand up periodically. Clenching and releasing the large muscles in your legs can also keep blood flowing. If your doctor recommends, blood thinners may be appropriate to prevent blood clots as well.

If you are diabetic maintaining your blood sugar in flight is important. Be sure you have easy access to your blood glucose monitoring device and check your sugar. Have lots of snacks available for dips in blood glucose and medication if your levels are too high.
If, like millions of Americans, you suffer from arthritis, long periods of sitting can increase aches and pains. Keep your joints moving with periodic light stretches in your seat and standing when allowed. Your doctor may recommend NSAID’s like Ibuprofen before the flight to avoid developing pain. Remember, it’s always easier to prevent pain than treat it, so don’t overdo it before you reach your destination.

Regardless of where you travel or what chronic illness you have, being prepared for a serious flare-up of your condition is a must. If you become hospitalized more than 150 nautical miles from home, having Fly-U-Home or Fly-U-Home International membership ensures you fast, medical transport back to your home with no out-of-pocket expenses. Even the best planning can’t avoid every illness or accident, but you can take the worry off your plate with the tips above and the peace of mind non-emergent air medical membership with AMCN provides every traveler!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is bedside-to bedside care?

When a program provides bedside-to-bedside service, the transport medical team accepts the patient at the bedside in the originating facility and delivers the patient to the bed of the receiving facility.

Can family/friends fly back with me?

Yes, although it’s not always possible. It will solely depend on available space on our aircraft. All aircraft have the ability to accommodate a passenger, however, this space could be lost due to additional medical staff or medical equipment.

Who can be covered under my membership?

Anyone that resides in the household.