Author Archives: Jackie Aim

Daily activities and Asthma

Lady shopping for groceries

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Living with asthma can affect your daily routines and the way in which you manage the daily tasks that we all need to do; getting dressed, having a shower, shopping, cooking and so on.

You may notice there are times when you are more, or less, breathless. Think about the ways in which you already manage your asthma when you are breathless. What have you discovered that helps you in managing your asthma and breathlessness day-to-day? It is important to think about, and use, any strategies that work for you.

Think about the times you are more breathless. This may be related to exertion and busy days, or you may notice you are more tired or breathless the day following a busy day? Pacing can mean planning priorities and your daily routine which helps with recognising how and where your energy will be used.

Remember

Planning activities in advance, work out what needs to be done alongside managing your breathing and energy levels, is helped by pacing. Choosing your priorities and planning what you want to use your energy for will help you manage your daily routines.

In-flight advice

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A jug of drinking water

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To have a comfortable flight you should:

Keep hydrated:

  • Drink plenty of fluids to ensure you stay well hydrated.
  • Try to avoid or limit your intake of alcohol and caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee or fizzy drinks, as these can make you more thirsty.

Move hourly:
Move around. Sitting still can increase your risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). This is a blood clot which can develop in the leg and can lead to medical complications.
Do some simple exercises as you fly:

  • Bend and straighten your legs.
  • Press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor.
  • Walk around the cabin when you can.
  • Avoid taking sleeping pills, as these can put you into a deep sleep so you won’t move around  for long periods of time.

Fitness to fly – medical forms

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Different airlines will have their own paperwork and processes and will request different amounts of notice. Some will rely on your GP or Specialist’s assessment of your ‘fitness to fly’. If this is the case ask them what information or tests they require, and if they can supply a template letter for your GP to use. It is important to contact them as far in advance as possible and get a copy of the correct form.

These are some examples of the forms airlines may ask you and/or your GP to complete:

Important

Make sure you have the right forms for your airline.

Useful sources of information:

  • The airline website – look for a section on special travel assistance.
  • The airline helpline or customer care centre.
  • Some airlines have a separate department for people with medical conditions.

 

Fitness to fly assessment

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There are different ways that you can be assessed to see if you are ‘fit to fly’. This may include one or more of the following:

  • You may be asked about your medical history, including your symptoms.
  • A physical examination.
  • If you have flown before you may be asked how you felt and if you became unwell during the flight.
  • A walking test to assess your breathlessness.
  • Your oxygen levels may be checked using a pulse oximeter.
  • A ‘Hypoxic challenge Test’ (HCT) may be carried out.
  • Lung function has been found to be a poor indicator for how you will feel when you take a flight. Air travel can affect you differently than someone else with a similar respiratory condition.

Hypoxic challenge test

This aims to reproduce the effects of flying by breathing in air that has less oxygen in it. It is carried out by a health care professional who will monitor you closely.

  • Your oxygen levels will be checked regularly.
  • If you normally use oxygen then you will wear this during the test. The test may help to identify whether your oxygen is set at the right level for during the flight.
  • If you do not usually use oxygen then the test will help to identify whether you need to wear oxygen during the flight.

Fit to fly?

Not everyone will need a medical assessment before they go on holiday.
However, it is important to speak to your GP or specialist before booking a flight.

  • There are a variety of ways in which you may be assessed to decide if you are fit to fly.
  • The airline may also have their own medical paperwork that needs to be completed.

Medical clearance is usually required if you:

  • Have an existing unstable medical condition.
  • Have a respiratory or heart condition.
  • Use medical equipment, including oxygen, which will be required onboard.
  • Have had a recent illness, surgery, injury or hospitalisation.
  • Are travelling for medical reasons, or to receive medical treatment.

Not all airlines use the same paperwork or tests so it is important that you check this with them. Do this before you make a booking so that you can be sure that you will be allowed to fly.

Flying and lung conditions

  • The air pressure within the cabin of a commercial airplane is not the same as the air pressure at sea level. This means that when you travel by plane, oxygen will not enter your body as easily as it does normally.
  • Anyone travelling in an aircraft will have a drop in the amount of oxygen getting into their blood, although they are unlikely to feel any different.
  • When you have a chronic lung condition this can make your chest symptoms worse. You may feel more breathless, your chest may feel tight.
  • The longer your flight lasts, the more likely you are to experience symptoms.
  • With the right medical advice and precautions, very few people experience problems when they fly.

Going abroad in the EU countries

Within the European Union:
There is an agreement that people from the UK will able to access oxygen supplies in the same way as local residents. This does not mean that it will be free – if a local resident has to pay a fee then so will you.
Member States of the European Union (polar stereographic projection) EN

To access this you will require:

  • A letter from your specialist, GP or nurse detailing your condition. This should be translated into the language of the country you are visiting.
  • A copy of your European Health Insurance Card .
  • A copy of your passport.
  • A cover letter requesting treatment under the reciprocal arrangement. This should be translated into the language of the country you are visiting.

In most cases, you will have to use the authorised oxygen company for the country you are travelling to.
You will also have arrange for permission from your accommodation to have the equipment delivered and installed. There may be additional costs involved in this.

Other portable devices

Travelling by air should be relatively straightforward if you have been fitted with a pacemaker or an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator).  Pacemaker and  ICD heart devices are designed so that they should not be affected by security screening equipment at airports.  However, there is a small chance that the metal parts of your device might set off airport security metal detector alarms. Therefore it is important to carry your personal Patient ID card with you at all times when travelling as it contains essential information.

Often, the following items need to be approved in advance of flying:

  • Nebuliser.
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines (CPAP).

Remember:

  • You may not be guaranteed a power supply so ensure you have adequate battery life.
  • Your baggage allowance may be affected.
  • There may be a weight limit.
  • You may need a doctors letter.

Information

Check before booking to avoid problems down the line.
Be ready to provide details of the device i.e. The make and model, type of battery.