In part 4 of our summer health series, ‘Staying Healthy with Healthy Living this Summer’, We talk about the importance of travel health. Read on to learn more on this important health topic - enjoy…

Travel Health

Preparing for a trip and vacations takes planning and time. Proper planning is the best way to stay healthy during your trip. According to Healthwise Incorporated, a nonprofit organization, you should 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 such as if you have any chronic diseases or other health concerns, such as allergies, birth control or other medications, 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 typically demands more physical effort than is required at home. Boost your fitness by starting an exercise program, such as 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.

If you have diabetes, you can take precautions to prevent problems while traveling. Travel can make it hard to keep your blood sugar within a safe range because of changes in time zones, meal schedules, and types of foods available. Check your blood sugar level more often during your time away from home. When traveling, take extra diabetes pills and insulin supplies. You may not find your regular supplies wherever you travel. Double your normal amount of needed supplies for short trips. For long trips, have enough extra supplies to last for 2 weeks more than the length of your trip. To keep your blood sugar level, try to eat and take your medicine as close to your usual schedule as you can.

Leave your 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, antifungal and antibacterial ointments, and anti-diarrhea medications, especially if you will be traveling to areas where modern medical care is not readily available.

Preparing for health risks while traveling is especially important if you are visiting other countries and areas, such as those in parts of Africa and Asia and many parts of South and Central America, where expert medical care may not be readily available.

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.

Make sure all of your routine immunizations are up to date for you and your family. These immunizations can protect you from diseases such as polio, diphtheria, 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.

Hepatitis A is the most widely reported disease in return travelers that can be prevented by a vaccine. You can help protect yourself from hepatitis A while traveling by taking basic precautions such as boiling your drinking water, making sure food is well-cooked, and eating only raw fruits and vegetables that you have washed and peeled.

Malaria-risk areas of the world include large areas of Central and South America, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and many South Pacific islands. You may need to take one of several different preventive medications depending upon the type of mosquito inhabiting that part of the world. These medications need to be taken daily during your travels and for a specified time after return.

Medical care in developing countries can be below standard. Before you go, get the addresses and phone numbers of embassies and consulates in the areas you will be visiting. If you get sick, these offices can help you find medical care.

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Learn more information about how to strengthen your immune system before you start your summer travels by visiting our website first.

We will be wrapping up our summer health series, ‘Staying Healthy with Healthy Living this Summer’ with part 5 - ‘Summer Health Tips’.