Can you Fly with a Catheter Bag from the UK?

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An estimated 90,000 people in the UK live with long-term catheters according to Incontinence UK. Designed to support those living with incontinence, catheters offer the freedom and convenience for individuals to live their day-to-day lives.

If you are considering travelling by plane with your catheter bag, you may be wondering whether this is possible. This article answers the question ‘can you fly with a catheter bag’ and explores the necessary steps you should take when doing so.

What is a Catheter Bag?

A catheter bag is, essentially, a urination bag, allowing for urine to be stored as it is drained through a urinary catheter (a flexible tube inserted through the urethra) out of the bladder. Often, individuals who have a catheter bag have urinary retention (are not able to urinate easily) or urinary incontinence (cannot control when they urinate) either temporarily or permanently.

Catheter bags allow for free movement and attach conveniently to the leg, which is why they may also be referred to as a ‘leg bag’. Those wearing a catheter and catheter bag can hide them beneath clothes during day-to-day activity.

Passenger on flight

Can you Fly with a Catheter Bag?

Yes, you can fly with a catheter bag. Catheters are a necessary medical device and can be taken on the plane with you in your checked baggage without any problems. 

Other necessary items, including hydrophilic catheters with sterile water, or lubricants, can be taken on board in your hand luggage but they must comply with flight regulations, including no liquids above 100ml.

Travelling with a catheter bag doesn’t often cause any complications whilst flying, but, you can take steps to ensure that you remain comfortable and well when taking long-haul flights, which we detail in the section below.

Advice for Travelling with a Catheter Bag

When travelling with a catheter bag, there are steps that you can take to ensure your journey runs as smoothly as possible. If you’re travelling long-haul, we would advise travelling with a permanent catheter so that you don’t have to empty your catheter bag every few hours, which may be difficult in small aeroplane toilets. 

Ensure that you travel with spare catheter bags, catheters, and any other necessary equipment, in case of delays or other unforeseen issues, and that these are accessible at all times. Carrying spare hand sanitiser, soap, and wet wipes are also advised in the case that a sink isn’t available. 

Finally, calling your airline and airport security ahead of time will keep everyone informed during your journey, providing you with the support you need before and during your flight. Assistance may include instructing you where to go at security or helping you choose a suitable seat during the flight, to help you have a stress-free experience.

 

Flight

Summary

With a catheter bag, the thought of flying may be daunting, but, by ensuring you are adequately prepared and that you purchase appropriate travel insurance to cover you in case of any mishaps, you can remain stress-free and well during your journey and enjoy your travels.

If you have a catheter bag and want to ensure that you have appropriate medical insurance that will cover any medical emergencies related to your condition, you can purchase this from Navigator Travel. Get in touch to find out more about the insurance policies we offer.

Can you Fly with Heart Arrhythmia from the UK?

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Over 2 million people in the UK suffer from heart arrhythmias or heart rhythm problems, and the most common type of heart arrhythmia – atrial fibrillation – is experienced by an estimated 37,574 million people, according to research. 

If you, or someone you know, is diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia, knowing whether or not it is safe to fly on a plane is necessary to ensure your or their safety during this journey.

In this article, you’ll learn what a heart arrhythmia is to better understand the disorder and answer the all-important question: can you fly with heart arrhythmia?

What is Heart Arrhythmia?

A heart arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart that affects its rhythm or rate. The condition is the result of electrical impulses created and emitted by the heart not functioning properly, causing an irregular heart beat. 

At a resting state, the heart normally beats between 60-100 times per minute, but for those with arrhythmia, this may be higher or lower. Those who have atrial fibrillation often have a heart rate upwards of 140 beats per minute. 

Symptoms of heart arrhythmia may be experienced as a flutter or racing of the heart but, in some cases, individuals may not experience any physiological symptoms at all. Usually, the condition is harmless, but in severe cases, it can place an individual’s wellbeing at risk. If you suspect that you may be suffering from a heart arrhythmia, please speak to your GP.

Heart reading

Can you Fly with Heart Arrhythmia?

According to medical research, travelling with arrhythmia is perfectly safe, as long as you are either suffering from no symptoms or you have been deemed clinically stable by a medical professional. It’s always best to check with your doctor, to be sure that your individual circumstances are safe, especially if you’re going on a long journey.

Advice for Travelling with Heart Arrhythmia

It is always important to be aware of factors that may impact a heart arrhythmia whilst flying, one of which is becoming dehydrated, which can worsen symptoms of arrhythmia if not avoided.

An increased cabin pressure caused by high altitudes can alter your normal blood pressure which – in turn – can result in the worsening of heart disease symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with heart disease and arrhythmia, this can be particularly problematic. 

Ensuring you remain hydrated during a flight and drinking plenty of liquid regularly will help reduce the likelihood of any exacerbated symptoms. 

So, when answering ‘should you fly with an irregular heartbeat?’, we advise that, before flying, you ensure that you have been given the go-ahead by a medical professional, take any necessary medications with you and buy appropriate travel insurance to make sure you condition is covered whilst travelling.

 

Passengers on a plane

Summary

Many people have heart arrhythmias, but with the right preparation and management of your symptoms, there’s no reason that it should stop you flying and getting the chance to travel.

If you have heart arrhythmia and want to ensure that you have appropriate medical insurance that will cover any medical emergencies related to your condition, you can purchase this from Navigator Travel. Get in touch to find out more about the insurance policies we offer.