Dehydration May Be a Hidden Driver of Long-Haul Flight Fatigue

Airplane cabins are very dry because they use cold outside air that contains little moisture.

The air is usually much drier than homes and buildings on the ground.

Your body can lose water through breathing and through your skin during a flight.

Losing too much water can make your blood volume decrease.

This makes the heart work harder to move oxygen around the body.

As a result, you may feel tired, get a headache, or have trouble thinking clearly.

These symptoms can feel like jet lag.

Drinking water before and during the flight may help.

Avoiding alcohol and heavily caffeinated drinks may also reduce additional fluid loss.