Can You Fly With a Concussion?

David A. Farcy / April 21, 2023 /
BlogsServices Specific Medical Conditions

It’s best to wait to fly if you’ve recently suffered a head injury like a concussion. However, if you must take a flight before your concussion or symptoms subside, taking precautions is crucial to ensure symptoms aren’t exacerbated. If you need to fly and have a concussion, fly with a medical escort from REVA.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affecting your brain functions. People usually get them after suffering a blow to the head caused by violent shaking, falling or being hit with an object. Most concussions are temporary, non-life-threatening and resolve within 10 days with proper rest and treatment.

When individuals get a concussion, it damages the cells, tissues, blood vessels and nerves in their brains. Even though concussions are generally not life-threatening, their effects can be serious.

Common Concussion Symptoms

Determining if you have a concussion could take a few tries because symptoms are subtle and often don’t show up immediately. If you have a concussion, you could experience:

  • Ringing in the ears
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Blurry vision
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Forgetfulness
  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Sensitivity to light and noise

Additionally, sometimes individuals can lose consciousness when getting a concussion. If symptoms are severe, ensure you seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis and begin treatment to help prevent symptoms from worsening.

Causes of Concussions

Concussions can happen in various ways. They could result from getting hit in the head by a ball while playing sports, being in a car accident or receiving other direct head injuries. You could also get a concussion through indirect head trauma. Sometimes, depending on the incident, a concussion develops after the body suffers injury because the impact was so significant it went through the bones up to the brain. For instance, a blow to your jaw or chin could result in a concussion if hit in the right spot.

Can You Fly With a Concussion?

You can fly in an aircraft if you have a concussion. However, taking precautions is essential if you have to catch a flight. Many symptoms you experience with a concussion could worsen throughout the entire airport process. You want to get as much rest as possible and not get stressed out, so while you can fly with a concussion, it may be better not to.

If you have the time to continue resting while having a concussion, take it. You can always fly after a concussion goes away.

Dangers of Flying With a Concussion

While concussions are considered mild traumatic brain injuries, some situations may result in more severe symptoms. Consult your doctor before boarding a plane when you have a head injury. Depending on the situation, your concussion could be a symptom of a bigger brain injury or have more severe side effects while you’re in the air. For example, there is a possibility of developing a brain hemorrhage if you fly with a concussion.

Commercial aircraft cabins are typically pressurized to between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, so you’re in a reduced oxygen environment when you fly. As your brain heals, it needs as much oxygen as possible to aid in the restoration process. Some brain cells could die if there is a lack of oxygen.

Tips for Flying With a Concussion

If you can’t put off flying with a concussion, some precautions you can take to minimize your symptoms include:

  • Staying hydrated: Drink water to stay hydrated throughout the flight to mitigate your symptoms.
  • Wear earplugs or noise-canceling headphones: If you are sensitive to sound because of your concussion, wearing earplugs or headphones can help block out the noises surrounding you.
  • Wear sunglasses or an eye mask: Similar to noise sensitivity, if you’re sensitive to light, wear sunglasses or an eye mask while on the flight.
  • Take your prescriptions on time: Keep track of the times you need to take your medicine to stay on top of taking them.
  • Sleep: Try to sleep during your flight to relax and start healing.
  • Fly with a medical escort: To help you feel more comfortable while flying with a concussion, you could ask for a medical escort to fly with you. The medical escort will help you throughout the flight, giving you your medication and ensuring you arrive at your destination safely.

When you take the necessary precautions during flights with a concussion, you can ensure you stay safe.

Fly With a Medical Escort From REVA

Flying with a concussion is possible to do, but if you would feel more at ease having someone with you, fly with a medical escort from REVA. Our medical escorts have the training and experience to keep you safe and comfortable during your flight. If you have a concussion and need to take a flight, work with REVA to get a medical escort. Get started by requesting a quote today!