Flying and Travel After a Concussion: What to Plan For

Can you fly after a concussion?

For most people with a mild concussion who are steadily improving, flying is generally considered reasonable. There's no good evidence that a flight on its own makes a typical concussion worse.

There are important exceptions, though, and travel days can still be hard on a recovering brain. A little planning makes a big difference.

Check with your doctor first if…

Talk to your physician before flying if any of these apply:

• your injury involved a skull fracture, bleeding on the brain, or any surgery;
• your symptoms are getting worse rather than better;
• you have severe headaches, repeated vomiting, or new symptoms that haven't been assessed;
• the injury was very recent, within the past day or two, and hasn't been assessed;
• you have significant ear symptoms, such as ear pain, ringing or hearing changes, after a blow to the head.

Never fly to get to medical care for warning signs such as worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, weakness or slurred speech. Go to the nearest emergency department instead.

Why travel days can trigger symptoms

The flight is often the easy part. The whole travel day is what tends to cause trouble:

• Busy, bright, noisy environments such as airports, security lines and crowded gates can overwhelm the visual and balance systems.
• Long periods of sitting and awkward neck postures can aggravate neck-related headaches.
• Cabin pressure changes during take-off and landing can increase head pressure or ear discomfort for some people.
• Disrupted sleep and time zones reduce your tolerance for everything else.
• Dehydration, irregular meals and alcohol all lower the threshold for a flare.
• Reading or screens in motion can bring on dizziness or nausea.

Practical tips for an easier trip

Before you go

• Choose flight times that let you sleep normally, and avoid red-eyes if possible.
• Book an aisle seat so you can get up and move.
• Pack sunglasses, earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, a water bottle and snacks.
• Plan a lighter first day at your destination, with no big activities right after arrival.

At the airport

• Arrive early enough to avoid rushing, but not so early that you spend hours in a busy gate area.
• Use quieter areas of the terminal when you can.
• Wear sunglasses in bright terminals and on the plane if light bothers you.

On the plane

• Drink water regularly and limit alcohol and caffeine.
• Swallow, yawn or chew gum during take-off and landing to help your ears equalise.
• Get up and walk the aisle when it's safe, and do gentle neck movements in your seat.
• Choose audio, such as podcasts or audiobooks, over screens or reading if they bring on symptoms.

After you land

• Expect to feel tired, and give yourself time to recover before judging how you're doing.
• If symptoms flare, scale back activity for a day rather than pushing through. See why concussion symptoms come and go.

What about driving to the airport?

Driving brings its own demands, especially on highways and in heavy traffic. If you're not yet cleared to drive or still have significant symptoms, have someone else drive. Our guide to driving after concussion covers how to judge when you're ready.

If symptoms are holding you back

If a trip is coming up and you're worried about how you'll cope, or if travel set your recovery back, a physiotherapist can help. At Burlington Concussion Clinic, we can:

• assess and treat the dizziness, visual strain or neck problems that make travel hard;
• build your tolerance for busy environments step by step;
• give you a plan for the trip itself.

Book a concussion assessment online or call us at 905-635-5711.

This article is general information and doesn't replace individual medical advice. Always follow your physician's guidance about travel after a head injury.