One moment, you are enjoying a beautiful sundowner at 35,000 feet in the air, and next, starts making noise your stomach that makes you feel uncomfortable. Do you experience intestine issues during air travel? They are more common than you.

And there is a name for this. This is not an official medical term, but the Internet (duh!) Has coined: Jet belly,

It actually seems so. This bloated feeling, urge to break the wind (but is very embarrassed to do so), or a common sense of stomach discomfort.

Jet belly science

Note how a packet of chips during a flight gets all tight and puffy? Well, exactly the same happens in your stomach.

At high altitude, the pressure of the cabin is much less than what experiences on the ground. “Low pressure causes expansion of gases in our stomach and intestines. That is why people often feel bloated, gassi, and uncomfortable, a situation that is usually referred to as a jet belly,” Dr. Akash Chaudhary, Clinical Director and Senior Advisor, Medical Gastroenterology, Care Hospital, Hydbad explains.

While the word is suddenly in the air, the idea is not new.

In a study conducted in 1969, researchers asked 18 military men not to pass the gas during a fake flight. As the height increased, up to 30,000 feet, the amount of gas in their stomach and intestines increased more than four times, making them report pain and perfection.

Experts believe that it is mostly harmless and does not cause any permanent damage. However, it can temporarily disrupt digestion, slow down bowel movements, and can make the existing intestine issues worse.

Long-Hall vs Short Hall Flight

Of course, there is a difference when it comes to long or short flights.

Long flights means that you are sitting for hours, eating in odd times, sometimes consuming foods that do not use your body and drink less water. All these affect digestion simultaneously and can cause constipation, swelling and acidity. Although this is not necessary, it is slightly more challenging for your intestine.

For most healthy people, it is temporary. But if you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or acid reflux, the symptoms may feel more acute and noticeable.

Naturally, on small flights, jet becomes belly miller.

Add mental health

While most of it is caused by air pressure, your concerned self can also be a reason.

Flying stress is real, and your intestine feels it (hello, intestinal-brain axis). “When you are worried, stressed, or frightened, your body releases stress hormones that can increase acidity, cause cramps, or even trigger diarrhea in some people. In fact, many passengers who worry about flight worry more swelling or stomach,” Dr. Chaudhary says.

Flight hack

If you are a person who has experienced Jet Bailey first, then you do not need to prepare only for your journey program while traveling, you also need to prepare your stomach.

It is mentioned here how they are not suffering in silence.

Flying

Before flight, it helps to avoid eating light food, heavy, oily or very spicy food, and limits carbonated drinks, which add to blotting.

Midair

Stay hydrated. To help digestion, try to stretch a little (if possible) or simple stretch. Dr. Sudeep Khanna, Senior Advisor, Warning against Gastroenterology, Indraprastha Apollo hospitals, excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption as they dehydrate you further. He advises to drink water from time to time, “Perhaps every 2 hours, 200 ml water, if not more.”

Additionally, from a mental health Pov – Zoning with deep breathing, meditation app, or even a good playlist can help keep your intestine calm.

Interestingly, your seat also matters.

The flying turns premium, not only about comfort, but also a happy intestine.

Dr. According to Chaudhary, “Sitting in a tight position for several hours puts pressure on your stomach and slows down digestion. You can reduce your back pressure, and even consciously adjust your posture, support your back, not sluting, and when possible, pull your feet, reduce stomach pressure.”

Dr. Khanna resonates a similar feeling, suggests that more spacious and comfortable seats allow flexibility and movement. “Movement is the simplest but most effective way to support intestine health during long flights,” they say.

For in-flight movements, experts recommend turning the sides at regular intervals or gradually press the abdomen with the right hip bone so that more gas can pass.

after landing

Time to give your body a chance to reset.

Eat digestible foods easily, relax, and, if possible, expose yourself to the natural day light to balance your body’s clock. On medical advice, yogurt, yogurt, or supplements such as probiotics, can help restore intestinal balance.

quick Tip: Avoid beans, red meat, spinach, cabbage, latus, apple, watermelon, gram and honey, as these foods make you feel more bloated.

Final call

Jet belly may look strange, but whoever feels his stomach balloons at high altitude knows that it’s not a joke. Although it is really messed up with your intestine, it can be difficult if you are prone to it or the existing stomach issues.

He said, this does not mean that you will have to take an oath of air travel forever. Experts recommend making smart options, opt for light food, choose water on soda, and continue small movements. Behave your intestine, and your journey can simply fly very smooth.