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San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Want to stay healthy when you fly? Here's the plane truth
Whether your vacation plans involve a romantic getaway to a faraway locale or just a summer visit with the grandkids, odds are an airplane will be involved. For the most part, planes are a great way to go, health experts say. "Overall, it's a very safe mode of transportation," said Dr. Leigh Speicher, an aerospace medicine specialist who is president of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. But commercial air travel does come with some health baggage. Issues range from simple stress to "complex physiologic changes occurring in the setting of air travel that can affect the heart, the blood vessels and the brain-heart axis," said Dr. Laurence Sperling, the Katz Professor in Preventive Cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Here's what the doctors say you can do to stay grounded in health before you're cleared for departure. Beware of the air? In the jet-travel anthem "Come Fly With Me," Frank Sinatra sang that once you're up there, where the air is rarefied, you can just glide, starry-eyed. But that rarefied air can pose a health challenge for some. On commercial flights, cabin air is usually pressurized to the equivalent of around 6,000 to 8,000 feet in altitude, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's roughly the elevation of Estes Park, Colorado, or Mount Olympus in Washington, and it means passengers are inhaling less oxygen than they might normally. That pressurized air can also be dry – around 5% to 25% relative humidity, according to a research review published in Clinical Cardiology in 2017 about air travel's cardiovascular effects. Sperling, a preventive cardiologist who founded the Emory Center for Heart Disease Prevention, was senior author of that review. Speicher, who started piloting planes as a teenager, said most healthy people will be fine breathing the cabin air. But the CDC says the lower pressure can exacerbate problems for people with anemia, underlying lung issues, cerebrovascular disease such as stroke, or other conditions that require supplemental oxygen. The Clinical Cardiology review adds heart disease and heart failure, where the heart can't pump efficiently. If you have any concerns about whether it's safe for you to fly, ask a doctor, Speicher said. "Your best resource to talk to is your own primary care provider. Or, if you've had a recent heart attack or a stroke, it might be the specialist who's cared for you." The lower air pressure in the cabin also causes gas trapped inside the body to expand. That can affect someone who has had bypass surgery within the past 10 days, the Clinical Cardiology review said. Expanding air inside the body also can lead to abdominal pain, sinus pain or "airplane ear," Speicher said. The CDC says decongestants can help with ear and sinus symptoms. But because decongestants can raise blood pressure, they should be used for the shortest duration possible or avoided altogether in people with severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, according to guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. Flying dry The low humidity inside a plane can lead to problems such as dry eye or a cough, Speicher said. To combat dehydration, she recommends traveling with your own water bottle, which you can fill once you clear airport security. Be careful with caffeine and alcohol, she said, both of which can be dehydrating. The air aboard modern planes is filtered and "cleaner than most of our homes and buildings that we're in," Speicher said. So when it comes to airborne viruses and bacteria, "it's not like you're being exposed to everyone in the whole plane." But you can still be exposed to germs from the people around you, she said, and if you're sick, you can expose them as well. "I'm not at the point where I would say, 'Everyone needs to wear a mask for every flight,'" she said. But in case you end up next to somebody who is coughing and not wearing a mask themselves, "I think it's lovely to have one on hand." Blood clot risks The long periods of immobility that come with air travel can elevate the risk for deep vein thrombosis – clots that begin in large veins, often in a leg. If a clot travels to the lungs, it can be fatal. Such clots are rare, but Speicher and Sperling both recommend using compression socks on longer flights. Stay well-hydrated, Sperling said, and keep blood flowing by not crossing your legs and by flexing your leg muscles while seated, or "get up and walk in the aisle." But don't loiter. Turbulence can strike without warning, Speicher said. So when you're seated, buckle up, she said. "It'll save you from injury." Stressful? Yes Air travel can be frustrating, to put it mildly. "It's a very stressful time for some people," Speicher said. And that can affect mental health. So "pack your patience," she said. Try to be understanding of your fellow passengers, and listen to the instructions you're given. "The cabin crew and the pilots are trying to do their job. They're trying to get everyone there safely." Nervous fliers should "do the things that help you stay calm in regular life," such as deep breathing, meditation or listening to music, Speicher said. "Travel with someone who centers you and helps you feel safe." Also avoid alcohol, she said. In addition to being dehydrating, it "can compound all the issues going on, instead of calming things down." Pre-flight prep Sperling, who has been on the receiving end of several "Is there a doctor on board?" calls to help people when he's flown, emphasized the importance of checking with your health care team to make sure you're ready to fly. "The physical stress of air travel should not be underestimated," he said. "For many people, it can be the most significant stress test they've had in days, weeks, months or that year." It takes effort to haul luggage through the airport or even just wait in line. "So it's not uncommon for people to unmask some underlying health conditions as they're navigating the stress of air travel." If you're cleared to fly, Sperling said, make plans for keeping up with your regular medications. Keep them in your carry-on luggage. "It's really helpful for a person to have a list of their medications, just to be able to share with whoever is trying to help," he said. People with heart rhythm disorders should carry a copy of a baseline electrocardiogram reading – you can take a photo and store it on your phone, Sperling said. People with implanted devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators should carry the device's card with them. Overseas travelers should make sure they are up to date on vaccinations. Many hospitals have travel specialists who can help. Keep in mind basic needs as well, Speicher said. "I recommend having some snacks or food with you in case there are delays." Don't skimp on sleep Travel can interfere with sleep, which is considered essential for heart health. Adjusting to a new time zone is trickiest when traveling east, Speicher said. "You just stay up a bit later when you travel west." Her simplest advice is to get exposure to mid-morning light to reset your body's internal clock when you travel east. "It's great to get sleep where you can," she said. But be careful with alcohol, which might make you sleepy but can interfere with staying asleep. Sperling cautioned against taking any type of sleep aid or anti-anxiety medication that you don't take regularly. "Stick to your routine," he suggested. If your normal bedtime routine involves reading a book, try the same while you travel. Have fun "Air travel is important for people to see the people they love, their families, their friends, to experience new places and new beauty on this planet," Sperling said. So while putting in the work required by flying, don't lose sight of its rewards. "We should be aware of the risks," Sperling said. "We should be equally aware of the joy."
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
BBC comedy legend forced to quit the stage midway through performance after falling ill
HEALTH SHOCK BBC comedy legend forced to quit the stage midway through performance after falling ill Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MATT Lucas has been supported by fans are revealing he was forced to pull out of Les Miserables mid-show over health concerns. The Little Britain star was performing on stage in Australia when he fell ill on stage. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Matt Lucas pictured last year at the Gladiator II premiere Credit: Getty 3 On stage with David Walliams in 2006 Credit: Getty - Contributor The 51-year-old had to leave the theatre on Wednesday night when his voice began to fail him Matt, who is starring in the role of Monsieur Thénardier, was replaced by a fellow actor during the production in Sydney. He updated fans in a post on Instagram on Friday. While he did not go into detail about his health problem, he said it was related to his voice. Matt said: "I've been having a magical time in Les Misérables in arenas across Sydney and Melbourne. "In over 30 years, I've never had to bow out of a performance, but tonight, as I was singing Master Of The House, I could feel my voice deserting me." He continued: "So if Thénardier looked very different in act two, that was because the amazing Connor James took over. I am now in bed resting up, and I hope to be back on stage soon." Matt shoto to fame with David Walliams with their hit show over 20 years ago, and now they are working together again. The two comedians revealed earlier this year that they would be unleasing their very first podcast together called, Making A Scene. They have since released regular episodes, some featuring interviews with big names including Simon Pegg, and Daisy May Cooper. Little Britain legends David Walliams and Matt Lucas reunite for new comedy project together 19 years after sitcom Matt and David met at the National Youth Theatre in the early 90s and quickly bonded over their love of comedy and impressions. One of their first collaborations was on Rock Profile, which started in 1999. After other TV parts they finally made it big in 2003 with Little Britain, with the show running until 2009. They also came together to write and star in Come Fly With Me, which ran from 2010 until 2011. The pair stopped working with each other in 2011, amid reports the friendship became strained. Matt wrote in his autobiography about how tensions rose between the pair in 2005 during their epic Little Britain Live tour, leading to a spectacular fight backstage one night. One of their first collaborations was on Rock Profile, which started in 1999. After other TV parts they finally made it big in 2003 with Little Britain, with the show running until 2009. They also came together to write and star in Come Fly With Me, which ran from 2010 until 2011. Much to fans' delight the comedy duo reunited in 2019 after an eight-year feud, announcing that they were planning a "huge TV comeback". Matt and David finally started to work together again in 2019, creating a one-off special episode of Little Britain called Little Brexit which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4, where the show started in 2000. In 2019, the comedy duo were pictured together at the theatre, and in 2020, Matt revealed that the pair are friends again. Matt says: 'I do get asked about Little Britain a lot but what I can say is that David and I are the very best of friends and we speak or exchange messages every single day." And he admitted that modern tech helped them keep in touch. He added that the pair "make each other laugh all the time".
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
BBC comedy legend forced to quit the stage midway through performance after falling ill
MATT Lucas has been supported by fans are revealing he was forced to pull out of Les Miserables mid-show over health concerns. The Little Britain star was performing on stage in Australia when he fell ill on stage. 3 Matt Lucas pictured last year at the Gladiator II premiere Credit: Getty 3 On stage with David Walliams in 2006 Credit: Getty - Contributor The 51-year-old had to leave the theatre on Wednesday night when his voice began to fail him Matt, who is starring in the role of Monsieur Thénardier, was replaced by a fellow actor during the production in Sydney. He updated fans in a post on Instagram on Friday. While he did not go into detail about his health problem, he said it was related to his voice. "In over 30 years, I've never had to bow out of a performance, but tonight, as I was singing Master Of The House, I could feel my voice deserting me." He continued: "So if Thénardier looked very different in act two, that was because the amazing Connor James took over. I am now in bed resting up, and I hope to be back on stage soon." Most read in Showbiz The two comedians revealed earlier this year that they would be unleasing their very first podcast together called, Making A Scene. They have since released regular episodes, some featuring interviews with big names including Simon Pegg, and Daisy May Cooper. Little Britain legends David Walliams and Matt Lucas reunite for new comedy project together 19 years after sitcom Matt and David met at the National Youth Theatre in the early 90s and quickly bonded over their love of comedy and impressions. One of their first collaborations was on Rock Profile, which started in 1999. After other TV parts they finally made it big in 2003 with Little Britain, with the show running until 2009. They also came together to write and star in Come Fly With Me, which ran from 2010 until 2011. The pair stopped working with each other in 2011, amid reports the friendship became strained. Matt wrote in his autobiography about how tensions rose between the pair in 2005 during their epic Little Britain Live tour, leading to a spectacular fight backstage one night. One of their first collaborations was on Rock Profile, which started in 1999. After other TV parts they finally made it big in 2003 with Little Britain, with the show running until 2009. They also came together to write and star in Come Fly With Me, which ran from 2010 until 2011. Much to fans' delight the comedy duo reunited in 2019 after an eight-year feud, announcing that they were planning a "huge TV comeback". Brexit which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4, where the show started in 2000. In 2019, the comedy duo were Matt says: 'I do get asked about Little Britain a lot but what I can say is that David and I are the very best of friends and we speak or exchange messages every single day." Read more on the Irish Sun And he admitted that modern tech He added that the pair "make each other laugh all the time". 3 The pair reunited in 2019 and have been friends ever since Credit: Instagram/@realmattlucas
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
David Walliams and Simon Cowell are at war. There can be only one winner
David Walliams doesn't like Simon Cowell and makes no effort to hide it. Since being forced out as a judge of Britain's Got Talent in 2022 – when offensive comments Walliams made about contestants were leaked – the comic has made plain his disdain for the talent show supremo. Taking the stage at a marketing jamboree this week, Walliams was asked about winning four National Television Awards for best TV judge. 'Simon Cowell never won once. That's all he does is judging,' he said on Tuesday. 'It was a tiny part of my career. For him, it was the focus and he still couldn't win it.' Walliams has certainly had a more varied career – Little Britain and Come Fly With Me on TV, then becoming one of the UK's most popular children's authors with the Gangsta Granny series, the odd film cameo – but he has become, according to one industry source, a pariah for TV and film bosses since the Britain's Got Talent scandal. His TV career, says the insider, has 'imploded'. Hence his bitterness. Walliams, 53, has pushed the idea that Cowell, 65, is a talentless and overcritical person of late. On the podcast he co-hosts with comedy partner Matt Lucas, Walliams and his mother Kathleen complained that she had once baked a cake for Cowell but he dismissed it for being dry. 'I think he can't do anything without judging,' Walliams said on Making A Scene. 'Bit of a downer, isn't it?' Sometimes Walliams is even more blunt. When asked about how he came up with characters for his children's books on This Morning last year, he replied: 'Whenever I'm trying to think of an evil villain I always think: 'What would Simon Cowell do?'' Walliams has also named his dog Eric the same name as Cowell's 11-year-old son, although he has claimed that it is a tribute to Eric Morecambe. The pair are said to no longer be on speaking terms – having previously been friends and regular dining companions – with Cowell even committing the most awful celebrity snub: unfollowing Walliams on Instagram. Those who know and like Walliams do not understand why he continues to take potshots at Cowell. 'I can totally get why David would have beef with Simon, if he never called to say 'Thank you' or whatever, but that's showbusiness,' says an industry source who knows both men well. 'I don't know why David feels the need to speak out. He's very successful.' The rupture in their relationship – which began on-screen after Cowell appointed the Little Britain star as a Britain's Got Talent judge in 2012 – came when recorded but unbroadcast comments by Walliams about contestants from a recording in January 2020 came to light. One contestant, a pensioner who made a mild jibe about Walliams before his unsuccessful audition, was described by Walliams as a 'c___' three times after he walked off stage. In another incident, Walliams made lewd comments about a woman who auditioned on the same show. 'She's like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f___ them, but you don't,' he remarked. 'It's the last thing on your mind, but she's like: 'Yep, I bet you do!' 'No I don't!' I had a bit of a b____, but now it's going, it's now shrivelled up inside my body.' When the comments were published Piers Morgan, a friend of Cowell's and a former Britain's Got Talent judge himself, said that they were the 'tip of the iceberg' and that 'Walliams is one of the nastiest frauds on TV'. Morgan has since described Walliams as a 'duplicitous little berk'. Walliams immediately apologised after The Guardian published the transcripts, thought to have been leaked by an unhappy production worker, in November 2022 and said that the 'disrespectful comments' were 'never intended to be shared'. The self-flagellation was not enough to save his £1 million-a-year primetime role, however, and he stood down within days. He was replaced by the erstwhile Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli. Rather than lick his wounds and feel sorry for himself, Walliams went on the attack and, in October 2023, sued Fremantle, the production company behind the long-running talent show, for breaching his privacy and sought as much as £10 million in damages. A 21-page writ laid bare how bad the damage had been for Walliams, with his lawyers saying that he had had only one new work booking since the scandal erupted and that he had an invitation to read at the Commonwealth Writing Competition with the Queen rescinded. There had been 'catastrophic results for his reputation and career', they claimed, with Walliams fighting 'a return of severe depression, including active suicidal thoughts'. Walliams's earnings after his effective sacking plummeted from £3.7 million in 2022 to a little over £100,000 in the first five months of 2023, according to the claim, and the comic's 'ability to perform' was affected. 'He feels vulnerable on entering a studio because he fears that what he says and does in that setting may be recorded and leaked without his consent,' the claim said. 'Because of the constant concern that any unguarded comments could be used against him, he has lost the ability to be spontaneous or edgy – in short, to be funny. His inability to perform in this, his signature manner, has caused him further acute distress, because he has lost an important part of his personal and professional identity.' The case was eventually settled for a seven-figure sum, but way below the original £10 million he sought. Is it fair to say that the episode has damaged Walliams's future TV prospects? 'I think damaged is probably the wrong word. It's imploded,' says the source. 'He's not on TV now, is he?' It is notable that Walliams has not had a big gig on the small screen since his fall from grace. Though the leaked comments were the straw that broke the camel's back, there has long been talk that Cowell – the driving force behind so many talent shows – had long since tired of Walliams. For the best part of a decade on Britain's Got Talent, Walliams had adopted a high-camp persona in which he affected being in love with the brooding Cowell, whom he dubbed 'My Simon'. After the misfires of David Hasselhoff and Michael McIntyre as judges, it originally proved popular and played on public rumours of both Walliams and Cowell's sexuality. Some in the entertainment world say this act started to grate – especially after Cowell had a son with his partner, Lauren Silverman, in 2021 — and that Walliams got too big for his boots. 'Simon Cowell's the big boss, without him there wouldn't be the show. Everyone comes along and they can get ideas above their station. By that I don't mean David is not a great guy, because he is, and he's been around for a long time, but I think he began to think he was bigger than Britain's Got Talent,' says the friend of both men. 'There's a boundary you don't cross. You know when you can take the p— out of your boss and you know when you can't. You know when you can criticise your boss's bossing, or have to laugh at his joke. David misjudged it. His big mistake was misreading the situation with Britain's Got Talent and Simon. He should have played the game better.' Although he is a much-diminished force from his X Factor heyday – when he bestrode Saturday primetime like a colossus – Cowell is still an almost uniquely powerful executive and is able to get commissions based on his reputation alone. Britain's Got Talent – sans Walliams – is in the middle of its 18th series, while Cowell will soon make his first foray onto Netflix with Midas Touch, in which he seeks to put together a new boy band. At present, the only game Walliams seems to want to play is Cowell-bashing. If he is serious about making a TV comeback he may have to do more than that. He may even need to make friends again.
