FEATURE/Air Travelers Urged to Take Precautionary Measures to Avoid Common 'Airplane Afflictions'; WorldClinic at Lahey Offers 10 Tips to Business and Leisure Travelers.

Health, Travel & Lifestyle Writers

FEATURE...

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Sept. 8, 2000

With increased crowding, flight delays, cancellations and stress levels faced by roughly 670 million American travelers taking to the skies this year (up 20 million from 1999), airplane passengers should take precautions to help protect and maintain their health during air travel, according to WorldClinic at Lahey, the world's first and leading provider of distance medicine services to individuals who work and travel abroad.

The company today released the following list of useful tips intended to help enhance the safety and comfort of business and leisure air travelers:

-- KNOW YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY - Most people don't realize that airplane cabins
are pressurized to "altitudes" of 5,000-9,000 feet - comparable to a
mountain-top. While this "altitude" poses no threat to a healthy person, a
person with emphysema, for example, may experience difficulty breathing.
Therefore, people with diagnosed heart and lung ailments should have a physical
prior to airplane travel to determine if they need to arrange for supplemental
oxygen on board.

-- BEWARE IF YOU'VE HAD RECENT SURGERY - If you have had even minor surgery
within the past week or so, consult your doctor before boarding a plane.
Miniscule air pockets may still reside in your body several days after surgery
and can expand to 1-1/2 times their volume under typical cabin pressurization,
which can lead to pain and cramping.

-- PREVENT EAR PAIN - Old stand-bys like chewing gum, yawning and pinching your
nose and blowing can help ease ear pain during descent. However, if you are
experiencing congestion from colds or allergies, you should also take an over
the counter decongestant at least half an hour prior to descent. Parents should
also awaken their children and offer a bottle to infants during descent to help
them combat ear pressure build-up by talking, eating and yawning.

-- TAKE A WALK - Traveling in the often cramped conditions of coach class
increases the risk of blood clot formation, particularly in travelers' legs.
"Coach Class Thrombosis" can lead to serious medical conditions and in rare
cases, death. Stimulate circulation and reduce your risk by frequently getting
up, stretching your legs and walking up and down the aisle of the aircraft.
Keep in mind that this risk also holds true for long car trips or any situation
in which your legs are confined and excessively inactive.

-- AVOID SUDDEN MOVEMENTS - Abrupt changes in body position, like getting up
suddenly, can lead to dizziness and fainting spells, particularly among elderly
air travelers.

-- DRINK PLENTY OF WATER - Cabin humidity tends to run very low - around 20% -
which can lead to dry eyes and general dehydration. Staying properly hydrated
by drinking plenty of fluids (without caffeine or alcohol) can also help perk
you up both during the flight and at your destination.

-- SCHEDULE AROUND JET LAG - If possible, take a daytime transatlantic flight,
which significantly decreases jet lag. If this is not possible, then
immediately "put yourself to bed" upon boarding an overnight flight by skipping
dinner, alcohol and the movie and going directly to sleep. Have breakfast
shortly before landing, and once you arrive, force yourself to stay awake to
adapt to the new time zone. If this is not possible, limit naps to 45 minutes
or less to prevent the onset of deep sleep and further confusion of your
biological clock.

-- AVOID ALCOHOL -Avoid excess alcohol consumption, which can lead to
dehydration and sluggishness.

-- GET PROPER REST - If you have trouble sleeping on planes, consider a
short-acting sleeping pill. Ask your doctor about prescription and
over-the-counter options that work for the duration of a flight, but allow you
to awaken refreshed upon arrival at your destination.

-- WATCH WHAT YOU EAT - Cabin pressure and inactivity can slow down your
digestive tract, so avoid foods that cause gassiness. In addition, try not to
experiment with new foods that you have not eaten before, particularly if you
are prone to food allergies.

"Medical issues related to air travel are more common than ever," said Dr. Mark Gendreau of WorldClinic at Lahey. "A little knowledge and some personal preparation on the ground can really make a difference, and that translates into a more enjoyable vacation or a more successful business trip."

About WorldClinic at Lahey

Founded in 1998 by distance medicine pioneer Dr. Daniel J. Carlin, WorldClinic at Lahey provides immediate access to U.S. board-certified doctors for individuals who travel or work abroad. The firm's client base includes multinational companies, as well as individual international and expedition travelers. The firm's medical care model for travelers, DistanceCare, utilizes the latest communications technology to deliver, oversee, coordinate and account for all aspects of a patient's care until their return home. WorldClinic also provides its patients with secure electronic medical records, personalized prescription travel medical kits and immediate access to the 300 physician specialists affiliated with its strategic partner, the world-renowned Lahey Clinic. WorldClinic is a privately held company, which completed its first round of equity financing in September of 1999.