Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) were studied during a commercial flight. A German team,
conducted similar experiments on patients with cystic fibrosis. Both
teams concluded that these patients can travel on flights of several
hours' duration without excessive risk.
Air transportation can be dangerous for people with lung
diseases. Under scrutiny, therefore, is the air pressure on board commercial
aircraft, whose passengers are subjected to a virtual altitude of 1,500
to 2,500 metres depending on the length of flight. At such altitudes,
the air contains some 30% less oxygen, a matter not to be taken lightly
for patients whose blood oxygen level is already precarious because
of their respiratory condition.
The same questions apply to CF patients. Therefore, a
team from Munich University examined lung function, arterial blood gases
and respiratory symptoms in 36 CF sufferers under simulated air travel
conditions.
Both studies indicate that there is no automatic reason
to forbid such patients the joys of far-flung adventures.
Source: Air Travel and Lung
Disease: Current Guidelines Are Inappropriate. European Respiratory
Journal), Vol. 25, No 4: 27 Mar 2005.
Further Info: http://erj.ersjournals.com, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=21858#
