Doctor reveals what you should always do two hours before flying to avoid getting sick
Airplanes, trains, and buses pack numerous people into enclosed spaces with recirculated air, and adding the stress of travel, interrupted sleep and exposure to new environments creates the 'perfect storm' of conditions to weaken the immune system.
Taking the germ-blasting supplements within the crucial window is a critical component that often goes ignored and gives your immune system a targeted boost to battle a bug when it needs it most, explained Burgess, who often sees physicians fall ill at the medical conferences he leads for CME Vacations.
'Think of it like putting up your umbrella right before walking into the rain, rather than waiting until you're already soaked,' he said. 'These supplements temporarily enhance certain immune functions, but that enhancement only lasts for a few hours.'
For long journeys with connections, consider taking another dose before each new flight or train ride, the doc added, but within reason.
'I've seen many common misconceptions among travelers — from mega-dosing vitamins throughout entire trips to exclusively blaming airplane air quality while ignoring surface contact,' said Burgess.
Zinc helps prevent viruses from multiplying and infecting the respiratory tract, and even has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can protect against autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Taking zinc within 24 hours of onset can help reduce the duration and severity of colds, studies show.
Another tip is to take zinc lozenges rather than tablets. The lozenges give the mighty mineral direct contact with the throat and respiratory tract, where many infections begin.
Vitamin C boosts various cellular functions of the immune system that help prevent infections.
'It doesn't require expensive supplements or complicated regimens,' Burgess noted. 'Just common, affordable supplements taken at precisely the right time.'
He recommends taking 15 to 25 milligrams of zinc and 500 to 1000 milligrams of vitamin C.
Constant high doses can cause digestive issues, he added, and hand washing remains necessary.
Also, keeping hydrated will help the supplements work more effectively and counters the dehydrating effects of flying.
His tips come as a record-breaking 45 million-plus people will travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day Weekend, many by plane, train, bus and on cruises, AAA announced this week.
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Would you spend $5,000 to remove your eye bags?
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And although she said her goal is never to convince any of her followers to get surgery, sharing the details of her lower blepharoplasty felt different. "I don't see it as plastic surgery," she said. "I just see it as an enhancement." Our eyes matter — a lot The amount of time spent looking at ourselves — in real life and online — is another motivator for these women, said Spiegel. This was the case for 30-year-old Kiana Robinson, who, despite first noticing her "puffy" eye bags back in 2017, hadn't considered surgery until she started working a remote job that required frequent video calls. "I was in a very high-demand job," she said, "and I feel like people were like, 'Are you OK?' 'Have you been crying all night?'" When eye creams and heavy hydration didn't minimize the appearance of her eye bags, Robinson went to Mettu to ask about filler. He suggested lower blepharoplasty instead. She had it done in April. 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"'Ignore what you're seeing online.'" Given the sensitive nature of eyes and their functionality, lower blepharoplasty carries inherent risks — including dry eye and vision changes — which is why surgeons urge prospective patients to do their research. It's also important to rule out potential health issues, like sleep apnea or allergies, which can contribute to prominent eye bags. "People need to be aware that those underlying issues and self-confidence are things that should be worked on in conjunction, and not hanging their whole hat on surgery," Phelps said. Though the procedure has been known to promise long-term results, Phelps also cautions that, as with any surgery, people should be aware of how they're treating their body afterward. For the first two weeks, surgeons typically recommend avoiding strenuous physical activity, alcohol consumption, and makeup. "If you don't take care of your body, you may have a problem with longevity," Phelps said. 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