Summer is a time for Vacations and Travel. Here are a few tips to help make your trip, not only enjoyable, but safe from a health wise view.
Before You Go
Preparing for a journey takes planning and time. Proper planning is the best way to stay healthy during your trip. See a doctor at least 6 weeks before you go so that you'll have time for immunizations and other health precautions you may need to take in advance. There are several factors to consider in preparing for a trip.
Your individual health needs
If you have any chronic diseases or other health concerns, such as birth control or allergies, see your doctor. You may need to adjust your itinerary to accommodate your health needs. For example, if you have heart failure or a history of blood clots, you may need to take shorter flights with more stops to avoid long periods of sitting. If you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other lung diseases, you may need to avoid stays in polluted cities or at high altitudes.
Evaluate whether you will be physically able to meet the rigors of your particular trip. Most travel, even if you are going on a professionally led tour, typically demands more physical effort than is required at home. Boost your fitness by starting an exercise program, such as fitness walking, in advance.
If you have health problems, carry a letter from you doctor describing your conditions, a list of your routine medications including their generic names, and written prescriptions for refills if you will be gone long. People with heart conditions should travel with a copy of their most recent electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) for comparison should you have chest pain or other symptoms. If you have diabetes, you can take precautions to prevent problems while traveling.
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before making any travel decisions. If you decide to travel, take some general precautions while traveling, such as notifying the airline of your condition before you fly and taking occasional walks while on a long flight to increase the blood circulation in your legs (good advice for all travelers).
Leave your prescription medications in the original containers, and pack them in a waterproof container in your carryon luggage. Take extra amounts of your routine medications packed in checked luggage in case of theft or loss.
Many doctors recommend that you take a first aid kit with items such as pain relievers, sunscreen, moleskin, antifungal and antibacterial ointments, and antidiarrheal medications, especially if you will be traveling to areas where modern medical care is not readily available.
Potential health risks
Preparing for health risks is especially important if you are visiting developing countries, such as those in most parts of Africa and Asia and many parts of South and Central America, where expert medical care may not be readily available. Click here to see vaccine recommendations and health precautions for the region you will be visiting.
Before you go, you should be aware of any needed immunizations or medications, disease outbreaks, food and water precautions, and any other preventive measures to take. Check your local or state health clinic at least 6 weeks before traveling so that you'll have time for immunizations and other health precautions that may need to done in advance. Most of these clinics can give immunizations and prescriptions for antimalarial drugs. If not, ask to be referred to a clinic that specializes in travel health.
Make sure all of your routine immunizations are up to date for you and your children. These immunizations can protect you from diseases such as polio, diptheria, measles, and rubella that have been virtually wiped out in developed nations but are still prevalent in some developing countries. If you will be traveling to a country where these infections are still common, check your immunity status. Some adults have not received all of these vaccines (especially measles, mumps, and rubella) and may be susceptible unless they have had the disease. Tetanus immunization should be updated before traveling if you haven't received one in the last 10 years.
Have a wonderful vacation! |
