Some Cruises Aid Kidney Patients

Question: I require kidney dialysis three times a week. I understand there are cruises with dialysis services.

T. L., Pasadena, Calif.

Answer: Kidney dialysis is available on cruises in many parts of the world. For details, contact Unique Reservations, 611 Barry Place, Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., toll-free (800) 544-7604.

Q: Is it dangerous to take cold remedies when you travel by air?

L. D., Washington, D.C.

A: No, but some precautions are necessary. Cold remedy side effects--sleepiness, dizziness, inability to concentrate--can be intensified by air travel. This probably occurs because of decreased oxygen and pressure in the airplane cabin, altered eating and sleeping habits, alcoholic drinks and other medications. Also, never drive a car or participate in hazardous sports immediately after flights when you have used a cold remedy.

Q: How old do infants have to be to travel by air? L. D., Cupertino, Calif.

A: Healthy newborns can fly as soon as they are released from the hospital. The decrease in oxygen concentration in airplane cabins is not a problem.

Tips for flying with infants: Offer them a bottle of milk or water during ascent and descent to minimize pressure in the ears; on long flights offer water every few hours to prevent dehydration.

Q: I often get headaches during airplane flights, but rarely at other times. What can I do?

S. T., Chicago.

A: Minimize or avoid medications, smoking and alcoholic drinks just before and during flights. All may cause headaches, and all are more potent at jet cruising altitudes than on the ground.

Eat regularly. The incidence of headaches increases when you fast more than five hours during the day and more than 13 hours overnight.

If your headache is associated with a hacking cough and dryness in your mouth, nose and throat, the headache may be due to ozone in the cabin air. The ozone is sucked in from the outside through the ventilation valves. Ozone is most common on winter flights over the North Atlantic. Try breathing through a wet towel for 10 minutes.

Ask flight attendants if the oxygen in the cabin air can be increased. Often ventilation equipment is not fully operational, to conserve fuel.

If the headache is severe, ask flight attendants for oxygen and inhale slowly a few times.