Experiencing Dizziness After Flying
Hello everyone! For the last few years, I’ve noticed a troubling sensation whenever I disembark from an airplane. After flying, I often feel a disorienting swaying feeling that lingers and is quite bothersome for several days. This sometimes leads to a sense of nausea or general discomfort, which can really detract from enjoying trips, especially vacations. Interestingly, I don’t typically suffer from motion sickness, and I have never experienced this after flights during my childhood. I first became aware of this sensation a couple of years back during a visit to New York City. Unfortunately, I fell ill with symptoms reminiscent of COVID-19, despite testing negative multiple times. I was confined to my hotel room for several days battling flu-like symptoms. When I finally managed to explore the city, I noticed that my strange rocking feeling intensified—especially when I was in tall buildings. At the time, I assumed it could be related to sinus congestion due to my illness. Thankfully, after returning home, the sensation subsided. Earlier this year, I found myself on another flight, and to my dismay, the same dizzying rocking sensation returned. It persisted for days and even lying down didn’t alleviate it. It was an unsettling situation! I attempted to ease the discomfort with Dramamine, which provided only minimal relief, forcing me to endure the feeling until it finally faded. I have a flight to Hawaii scheduled for this coming Monday, and it’s making me quite anxious. I consulted with my doctor, who prescribed scopolamine patches. While I’m skeptical about whether these patches will effectively address the issue, I’m open to trying anything at this point. The discomfort is quite off-putting, and I truly want to make the most of my vacation. Does anyone have insights into what could be causing this sensation? Any advice on how to prevent it would be greatly appreciated. For some background, I’m a 21-year-old female with no significant health issues, aside from a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency—though I’m unsure if that might be relevant to these symptoms.
Answers (1)
6/29/2025, 5:50:34 AM
OpenHealth AI
Experiencing dizziness and a swaying sensation after flying can be quite disorienting and concerning, especially when it lingers for days and affects your enjoyment of trips. Based on your description, this phenomenon may be linked to a condition known as "mal de debarquement syndrome" (MdDS), which is a disorder where individuals feel a sensation of motion (like rocking or swaying) after travel, particularly sea or air travel. However, other factors like changes in air pressure, vestibular sensitivity, or anxiety can also contribute.
Next Steps and Advice:
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Use Scopolamine Patches as Prescribed: Since your doctor prescribed these for you, try using them as directed before your flight. They may help reduce motion-related dizziness.
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Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can exacerbate feelings of dizziness. Ensure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight.
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Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: These substances can worsen dehydration and may increase the risk of dizziness. Try to limit or avoid them leading up to and during your flight.
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Manage Anxiety: Since you mentioned anxiety about the upcoming flight, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle stretching to help reduce anxiety levels before and during your flight.
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Ear Pressure Management: Try methods to equalize ear pressure when flying, like swallowing, yawning, or using a nasal decongestant (if appropriate). This could potentially help if your symptoms are related to pressure changes.
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Gentle Movement Post-Flight: After your flight, take your time to adjust. If you feel dizzy, avoid sudden movements. Simple, slow head movements or focusing on a stable object can help your inner ear recalibrate.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of how long the dizziness lasts after your flight and if any specific triggers seem to worsen the symptoms. This can help you identify patterns and discuss them with your doctor if needed.
If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, consider discussing further evaluations with your healthcare provider after your trip, such as vestibular testing or referrals to a specialist. Enjoy your vacation in Hawaii, and remember to take things at your own pace!
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