Research Warns of Health Risks , Associated With Drinking , Alcohol on Airplanes.<br />Fox News reports that travelers may want <br />to reconsider drinking on their next flight <br />before trying to get some mid-air sleep. .<br />According to a new study published in <br />'Thorax,' consuming alcohol before sleeping <br />on a plane could result in lowered blood <br />oxygen levels and an increased heart rate.<br />Experts warn that the cabin of a plane <br />already has less oxygen in the air than <br />we normally breathe. Alcohol and sleep<br />only exacerbate this problem.<br />Experts warn that the cabin of a plane <br />already has less oxygen in the air than <br />we normally breathe. Alcohol and sleep<br />only exacerbate this problem.<br />The study, led by the Department of Sleep <br />and Human Factors Research at the German <br />Aerospace Center, found an increased <br />risk for people with preexisting conditions.<br />Passengers with cardiopulmonary <br />diseases have an increased risk <br />of aggravation of symptoms <br />due to the decreased cabin <br />pressure at cruising altitude, <br />which is amplified during sleep, Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine <br />at NYU Langone Medical Center, via Fox News.<br />Alcohol, which is often consumed <br />on board, has similar effects, but <br />hypobaric hypoxia-induced changes <br />are usually more pronounced, Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine<br />at NYU Langone Medical Center, via Fox News.<br />According to the team, this is the first study to look at <br />the combined impact of low oxygen concentration <br />at high altitudes and consuming alcohol before sleep.<br />Those [factors] are synergistic <br />with each other, leading to <br />increased heart rate and likely <br />increased heart pressure and risks, <br />even in young, healthy individuals, Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine <br />at NYU Langone Medical Center, via Fox News.<br />Dr. Adam Scioli, chief medical officer at Caron Treatment <br />Centers in Pennsylvania, suggests the study highlights <br />the need to stay well-hydrated when flying. .<br />This can be exacerbated by <br />the fact that many people don’t <br />drink enough water before they fly, <br />which causes dehydration — <br />again increasing the likelihood <br />of negative impact on their heart, Dr. Adam Scioli, chief medical officer at Caron <br />Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, via Fox News
