10 tips for healthier travel

It's unrealistic to use an "inflatable lumbar support" as mentioned in #3 before you buckle up, because the air pressure on the ground, and the air pressure when you're in the air is different. The cabin is pressurized, but if you blow up your support on the ground it will be overfilled or bursting by the time you have reached cruising altitude. That's the problem with the inflatable neck pillows too. They're great for traveling, but don't inflate them and wear them as you're ascending...they'll choke the air right out of you.

Is it just me that feels this article falls into the "DUH" category

On a Plane: This article is obviously old or written for the wealthy who can easily afford extra charges and costs of traveling. Tip 1) Many do not have the option of taking 2 suitcases in today's economy or with today's flight regulations. And Tip 5) when is packing your own food an option? It won't make it past the screening point so you're only option is pay for the outrageously priced fruit and yoghurt etc at the airport. "Yes, i want to pay $4 for a freakin' yoghurt just so I get a small amount of nutrients during my flight...." My suggestion is pack smart - take essentials that can be re-used and layered in order to take less stuff, thus making luggage lighter. And secondly, plan ahead, know that the food you eat en route may not be nutritionally appropriate. Eat a sensible, balanced, nutrient-rich meal beforehand and make arrangements to ensure you eat a light, healthy snack/meal once you arrive at your destination. Wait! Did my suggestions offer help AND save everyone a whole bunch of money that we cannot afford to frivolously afford to throw around? why, yes, yes, it did. Perhaps I should have written the article..... Hmmmmm

For an article to be dated 2010 and refer to air travel involving food, space for luggage under a seat and an airline pillow is ludicrous. They charge for bags and have deleted food, pillows and blankets. Rather a humorous read down memory lane!

No travel dialogue related to health issues should ever be complete without a discussion, or at least a mention of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT or "blood clots"). This condition occurs with considerable frequency when associated with periods of inactivity. Common scenarios where they occur are following surgery when one is incapacitated or with an injury, and for the purposes of our discussion here, sedentary during plane trips and automobile trips. They are more closely associated with lengthy trips where one is seated for long periods, but can occur with short trips as well. They occur when there is a lack of movement of the lower extremities, and blood pools in the dependent portion of the extremities. Stagnant blood forms blood clots. The associated symptoms are pain, swelling, redness and heat of the affected appendage. This is an extremely serious condition and can be life threatening. All from sitting still for a period of time!!! There is a possibility of the clot breaking free and traveling to the lungs (this is a PE or "pulmonary embolism"), which is not only a serious complication, but often times is potentially lethal. The seriousness of this malady that frequently occurs with traveling leads me to stress the importance of being aware of it, taking precautions to prevent it, and seeking immediate evaluation if think you may be affected by a blood clot. This is a true travel related health issue.

www.airplanestretches.com is a pretty good website that gives stretches before/during airplane flights. It looks like a stretching plan designed by a physical therapist

I got a better idea...How about those money grubbing airlines who treat passengers like cattle in a cattle car actually 1) make a seat for someone like me who is 6'6 comfortable to sit in without my (or anyone else) knees going into the back of the seat without having to pay extra for the "Privilege" of having the necessary leg room I need 2) if I am sitting in a aisle seat, without my knees getting banged by an inattentive airline attendant with the beverage cart 3)without some jerk sitting front of me who insists on bringing the seat all the way back and then giving me a dirty look because my knees are in his back because I am tall,(See number One above) 4) trying to cram as many people as they possibly can like 1950 college frat boys trying to stuff a VW bug!!!!

Neil G is a LA Democrat who starts running off at the mouth before he reads the whole article and understands what was written.

The idiot that came up with #1 has obviously not traveled in some time or works for a major airline. You have to pay for each bag idiot! Your suggestion does have some merit though, in that it will lighten your wallet/purse.

These tips are good for travelers. They will help you stay healthy on your vacation

Wow i dont get thsi at all its beeen about 2 yrs snce ive traveled to a different country by plane and im looking for some tips to help me I"ll tell you one thing these tips are stupid and these people who made thm are even stupiter lol!!!

Hey Neil G, go back and read the article, it said IN THE CAR or are you a product of the California School System?

You can't take two bags on a plane, nor can you take fresh fruit on international flights.

The author hasn't flown in a while. Airlines haven't served greasy muffins or mystery meat enchiladas in about a decade. You're lucky to get a bag of pretzels nowadays. Also, you can't take two suitcases on a plane...only one. And most (if not all) airlines don't carry pillows anymore. The car tips were more useful.

The article seems all right. However, you failed to mention anything about Amtrak. Don't you have any travel tips for that? Also, the plane assumes you're just an airline passenger. How about if you're flying solo (and at the controls) in your own airplane (like a small little Cessna)?

" Don't cross your legs" By all means-heee-hee

Valerie - You can take fresh produce on int'l flights, you just have to throw away anything you have left before passing customs upon arrival.

Mary - Actually, not all airlines allow two free bags on int'l flights anymore. US Airways, for example, charges $50. Aer Lingus I believe charges $30. I haven't looked at others, though, because US Air is always the cheapest for my route.

Radiation at 35,000 ft? Same as on the ground. Or the space station. KMA - you are a dope.

Are you kidding? If they still have pillows on an airplane you will be charged for it. If you take more than one bag...guess what you pay for both! When was the last time you were on a plane where they served food? Not my last trip from chicago to la three weeks ago! People looked at me in envy with my stash of almonds and an apple! Time to move out into the real world.

Since when can anyone take a ice chest with bottles of anything on a plane??. Are you from a different planet?