If you frequently travel by plane, you're putting your body at greater risk of a silent killer. Those long periods of inactivity -- legs scrunched up behind the seat in front of you and your arms held tightly to your body because the person next to you is stubbornly refusing to give up even a quarter inch of the arm rest -- aren't exactly healthful for your body.

Frequent fliers run the risk of a condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). In fact, the condition has two travel-related nicknames: Traveler's Thrombosis and Economy-Class Syndrome. DVT is a condition where a blood pools and forms a clot in the calf, thigh, or less commonly in the arm. If you travel a lot or are planning a long flight, keep these DVT prevention tips in mind:

• Get up and move. Don't need a bathroom break? Visit the loo anyway and march in place for a few minutes. Even a quick stroll up and down the aisle will do.
• Ankle circles. Rotate your feet at the ankle both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
  

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If you travel by airplane at all for a trip that lasts more than a carry-on's worth of clothes, you know the worry. Will my suitcase weigh more than 50 pounds and I'll have to pay extra? Airline luggage allowances are a pittance these days. The airlines giveth -- blankets, pillows, peanuts, room for luggage -- and the airlines taketh away. Unless you pay, of course.

First, let me say that I realize that, to the inexperienced, 50 pounds may sound like a ridiculous weight for a suitcase. How could anyone pack that much stuff for a trip? Let me tell you, it adds up quick. And now that more of us have to add those heavy toiletry bags to the check-in mix to avoid the potential of having our shampoo tossed out at the security checkpoint, it's worse. And, if you've got a kid to pack stuff for in your luggage, well, it's a challenge to keep that weight under control.

There's really no way to take all the stress out of air travel, but we've found an easier way to determine if we've put on too many travel pounds without struggling to see the scale over the suitcase we're holding.We've been using this handy suitcase scale for our past several trips to via Southwest Airlines to California to see our families. So worth the $10 I spent. There's also a digital version of the same thing. Or, if you're in the market for a new suitcase, some have built-in scales. Pretty cool.

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Have you flown the friendly skies recently? For many people, flying is a headache... quite literally.

An Israeli study of 906 people found that 6% report getting headaches when they travel by airplane. Based on that statistic and a few flight numbers/occupancy assumptions, researchers estimate that this translates into more than 100 million flight-induced headaches per year.

There are several things that could trigger a headache during air travel -- stress, pressure changes, poor air quality, and engine noise. (Not to mention noisy passengers!) To help manage air travel-related headaches, be sure to drink plenty of water (as dehydration can contribute to headaches), get up and walk around during long flights, bring books or music or anything else that will help you reduce stress, pack ear plugs if noise bothers you, and bring some over-the-counter pain relievers.

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I love flying but one aspect I don't like the effect it has on my ears. I'm really sensitive to pressure changes, you see, and sometimes the pressure in my ears caused by the altitude change is uncomfortable. If you have the same problems, consider these suggestions:

• Chew gum. Yes, it's the most common suggestion, because it works. If you don't like gum, suck on a candy, sip some water or eat something.
  
• Swallow and yawn, often.
  
• Close your mouth, plug your nose and gently blow through your nose. Gently is the key here -- blow too hard and you can bust an ear drum. Also, don't do this one if you have a head cold.
  
• If you do have a head cold, take a decongestant.
  
• Place a warm, damp towel over your ears. You know, the kind the flight attendants give out to first class. Don't be afraid to ask for one.
  
• Got a baby travelling with you? Try to have them suck on a pacifier during take off and landing.
  

Have any tips of your own? Please share.

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Traveling is easily one of my favorite activities. Whether it's a short road trip with friends or an across the globe adventure, as long as I can get the time off work and scrape together enough money to go, I'm in. The only thing I don't like, is the dazed and crazed look I often sport after several hours of travel time.

I wrote not so long ago about an article that gave tips on how you can maintain your good looks while on a flight -- drinking lots of water and no alcohol, sleep and movement are all key. This time I've come across an article that will help you prepare beforehand, including advice on what to pack and which beauty treatments to try before you hit the road. Whether you're traveling for business or for pleasure, the advice listed here will make sure that you're looking great as soon as you land.

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At any given moment, there are 2 million passengers on board commercial flights high above the earth. That's what this article claims, but the amazing thing is that one company is responsible for taking calls from flight attendants if a passenger feels ill. While it gives me a little comfort to know medical events can be called in to professionals, the CNN articles reveals that you should think twice before going airborne if you aren't in tip-top shape to begin with.

The reason being is because flight attendants are not medically trained. If you get sick or ill, the pilot (not a doctor) must weight various factors before deciding if he can divert the plane off-course. This can leave a person feeling very icky thousands of feet in the air.

Consider this: if you just got a cast for a broken bone, there's a chance your arm could slightly swell due to altitude changes which could cause discomfort. The bottom line is simple. If you're not feeling well, don't fly. These are not airborne hospitals with trained professionals, and planes don't always divert for sick passengers. It's easy to understand why this is a hot-button issue, but experts agree that staying grounded is the best choice for unwell fliers.

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I love technology -- when it works in my favor. Give me a locked up computer or an automated telephone voice recording that buries me deep in unwanted options and I get pretty frustrated. When technology makes my life easier, though -- like when it allowed me to print my airline boarding pass at home so I could avoid long airport lines this past weekend -- I'm all for it. I'm also a fan of the health-related information that popped up on my computer screen while printing that glorious boarding pass.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was the topic listed in bold print at the bottom of my pass. A blood clot condition caused by prolonged sitting and occurring primarily in the lower legs, DVT has become an issue of concern for travelers packed like sardines on airplanes. Jammed tight with other passengers with barely enough leg room to wiggle a foot and with luggage, food, and beverage carts blocking the aisles, it's critical we find a way to move around. If we don't, we risk the formation of a blood clot that can break away and become a pulmonary embolism.

For a mini education on the DVT topic, check out this website. And take a look at a few of our previous That's Fit posts that address this scary health issue.

Top 6 hospital risks
Take a walk, pal
Taking a long flight this Christmas? Stretch your legs
Some tips for avoiding blood clots
Stand up and stretch -- it's good for the veins

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For many people, flying can be really nerve-wracking. Getting to the airport on time, putting all liquids in clear, resealable bags, remembering important travel documents, the threat of lost luggage, making connections and much more, make airplane journey's stressful.

With all of these things to think about, you definitely don't want to also have to worry about getting sick or feeling ill on-board. In order to stay as healthy and happy as possible on your next flight, get prepared ahead of time with these 10 tips from AOL Body .

Suggestions include everything from making sure to get up and move around in order to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) , washing hands or using antibacterial wipes to avoid picking up germs from your seatmates and swallowing, chewing gum and yawning to pop blocked ears. For more information on these as well as additional tips, such as staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol, check out the entire piece here on AOL Body.

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In the wake of all of the Live Earth concerts that took place over the weekend, I thought it would be interesting to chat about the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet. Unveiled on Sunday, the airplane has definitely got people talking (just google 'Boeing Dreamliner' and you'll see what I mean).

It's a fact that normal airplanes use up tonnes of fuel and cause a huge amount of pollution. This new green machine seats up to 330 passengers, but on a long-haul flight uses 20% less fuel than a regular, similarly-sized airplane. In addition, it releases far fewer greenhouse emissions than other planes.

Not only is this good news for everyone because it's better for the environment, it will also hopefully be good for our wallets. Flights keep getting more expensive, in part because of the rising cost of gasoline. In theory, if the Dreamliner uses less fuel, airlines that utilize the jet will spend less on gas, making it possible for them to charge less for tickets. Whether or not this will actually happen remains to be seen, but since it's an Eco-friendly option either way, I'm definitely on board.

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First there was the whole foods diet. Then there was the low-carb craze. Then eating organic was all the rage. And I'm sure you've heard of cage-free, free range and grass fed. Now there's eating locally. Well, eating locally isn't exactly a new concept--after all, farmer's markets have existed probably as long as farms, but it finally seems to be catching on as a dieting trend.

So what exactly does it mean to eat locally, and what are the benefits? I mean, we've all seen farmer's markets, perused their offerings and even occasionally indulged in some of their maple syrup candy and apple cider but what does eating locally really translate to?

"Local" is defined as anything within a hundred miles. That makes for a lot of possibilities in terms of food options, depending on where you live.

To me, farmer's markets were always the opportunity to get a little something different than what you'd find at a local supermarket. I know the one in Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn used to house a woman we referred to as the Cheese Lady who always had THE BEST cheeses anywhere. She had this one spicy white cheddar with horseradish in it that was TO DIE FOR. Sadly, at some point she took her wares elsewhere.

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There may be a prescription for jet-lag coming on the horizon, and from an unlikely source too. Viagra was shown to reduce or prevent time-change fatigue in recent tests on hamsters, which obviously opens a whole new potential way of dealing with the frustrations of long distance travel.

The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, affects a messenger molecule that has to do with circadian rhythms and the body's internal clock -- higher doses of sildenafil means higher sensitivity to light differences and faster adjustment to changes.

The tests only included male hamsters, so the next step is "co-ed" testing and then on to mice. But maybe not that far off into the future the nasty side-effects of jet-lag will be curable with a little blue pill.

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Being an airline pilot, or even a stewardess, carries with it a certain air of being in some exclusive club. They always walk by in groups wearing their official-looking uniforms and pulling their cute little suitcases -- you can't help but feel like they have a charmed and exotic lifestyle full of travel and adventure. But that package deal may come with more risks than expected as more and more airline crews are facing serious health troubles, including everything from psychotic disorders to menstrual cycle disruptions. What's the cause? Jet lag. Specifically jet lag experienced a few times too many -- the body just can't adjust fast enough or frequently enough and as a result different systems suffer, particularly in areas of mental health and hormones.

Whether you're a frequent flier for work or pleasure, something to think about!

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Here's a shocking admission. I like airplane food. Well, mostly. I had some pretty dodgy chicken in my last cross-pacific flight, but other than that I've typically enjoyed my meals. But most people don't and there may be more to that than meet the eye. According to this, the real problem with airplane food is that at 30,000 feet, your digestive system doesn't work as it usually does, and it's harder for you to digest meal that are high in fat or protein. Also, you tend to lose water when you fly, so to keep everything, erm, moving along, you need to consume more liquids. So the next time you fly, pick the pasta over the steak, eat your vegetables and be sure to ask for extra water.

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I just got back from from Australia, and spent around 30 hours travelling, both on planes and through busy airports. I've also just developed a nasty cold. Coincidence? Maybe not, according to this. With all that recycled air, I'm not surprised that your risk of developing a cold onboard a plane is higher, but apparently it has more to do with what you touch than what you breath. Other causes of the flying cold? Pressure changes and a dry climate don't help, and I imagine the jet lag that comes from crossing multiple time zones doesn't help either.

So if you're flying soon, be sure to wash your hands, drink some water, eat healthfully and get some sleep!

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It's been in the news lately that aviation regulatory agencies have either been raising, or at least considering raising, the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots. The whole idea has sparked some debate, and a new study is out questioning the idea of an age limit at all.

The study came up with three major findings, and although younger pilots tested out better overall than their aging counterparts, in some areas the older pilots showed their years of experience -- for example by performing better than the younger ones on traffic-avoidance tasks.

I have to say I agree with the idea of doing away with standardized age requirements and going to some other method of individually assessing a pilot's abilities. I think there are some awesome 60 or 65 year old experienced pilots that are being forced to retire, while the occasional 50 year old who's lost his edge continues logging flight hours.

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