Research Warns of Health Risks Associated With Drinking Alcohol on Airplanes

Research Warns of Health Risks , Associated With Drinking , Alcohol on Airplanes.

Fox News reports that travelers may want to reconsider drinking on their next flight before trying to get some mid-air sleep.

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According to a new study published in 'Thorax,' consuming alcohol before sleeping on a plane could result in lowered blood oxygen levels and an increased heart rate.

Experts warn that the cabin of a plane already has less oxygen in the air than we normally breathe.

Alcohol and sleep only exacerbate this problem.

Experts warn that the cabin of a plane already has less oxygen in the air than we normally breathe.

Alcohol and sleep only exacerbate this problem.

The study, led by the Department of Sleep and Human Factors Research at the German Aerospace Center, found an increased risk for people with preexisting conditions.

Passengers with cardiopulmonary diseases have an increased risk of aggravation of symptoms due to the decreased cabin pressure at cruising altitude, which is amplified during sleep, Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, via Fox News.

Alcohol, which is often consumed on board, has similar effects, but hypobaric hypoxia-induced changes are usually more pronounced, Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, via Fox News.

According to the team, this is the first study to look at the combined impact of low oxygen concentration at high altitudes and consuming alcohol before sleep.

Those [factors] are synergistic with each other, leading to increased heart rate and likely increased heart pressure and risks, even in young, healthy individuals, Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, via Fox News.

Dr. Adam Scioli, chief medical officer at Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, suggests the study highlights the need to stay well-hydrated when flying.

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This can be exacerbated by the fact that many people don’t drink enough water before they fly, which causes dehydration — again increasing the likelihood of negative impact on their heart, Dr. Adam Scioli, chief medical officer at Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, via Fox News