Anyone who has ever suffered an illness while traveling will know that it can really turn the enjoyment of a vacation around. Time is lost while ill and recovering, and it can lead to the whole vacation schedule being thrown out of sync. To make the most of every moment of time away from home, staying healthy is essential.
Common travelers’ illnesses
There are a number of health conditions to watch out for when traveling and, as many of these can be avoided with care, it is a good idea to know about them in advance. Sickness is a very common illness. Always check in advance that the tap water in the chosen destination is drinkable. If there is any doubt, then it is important to use only bottled water. Watch out in restaurants as some food items such as salads are washed in tap water. For many people this might not have a negative effect, but for those who are not used to the local water it can leave them quite ill. Care should also be taken when choosing a place to eat. Not every country has stringent health and safety regulations related to food preparation, so if there are any doubts at all, find somewhere else.
Motion sickness is also common and many people will suffer from it regardless of the mode of transport chosen. There are a number of remedies that can be tried, such as ginger and wristbands that apply pressure to certain points. Not everything will work on everyone, so trying a few before a big trip might be the best approach. If none of these simple remedies work, then it is a good idea to consult with a doctor for a prescription remedy.
Deep vein thrombosis (or DVT) is an important illness to be aware of. This is often associated with long-haul flights and it is potentially life threatening. Blood clots form as a result of this condition. There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the possibility of developing DVT. For long-haul flights, ensure that some time is spent moving around. Spending the whole of the flight in a seated position can be damaging to the circulation. Get up and walk around a little and ensure that the legs are stretched regularly. It is also possible to get “flight socks” that will help to boost the circulation while traveling. These may not look the height of fashion, but for those that are at risk, they can be a lifesaver.
Vaccinations
There are some destinations where vaccinations may be needed. Some destinations, particularly in developing countries, are prone to diseases that have been eradicated elsewhere, which is why a vaccination is important. In order to find out if a vaccination is required, the traveler should check out traveling advice via government websites and consult their doctor. A health check is a good idea in any case as any health issues can always be resolved before the trip begins, and the doctor can offer advice for staying healthy while
There are a number of health conditions to watch out for when traveling and, as many of these can be avoided with care, it is a good idea to know about them in advance. Sickness is a very common illness. Always check in advance that the tap water in the chosen destination is drinkable. If there is any doubt, then it is important to use only bottled water. Watch out in restaurants as some food items such as salads are washed in tap water. For many people this might not have a negative effect, but for those who are not used to the local water it can leave them quite ill. Care should also be taken when choosing a place to eat. Not every country has stringent health and safety regulations related to food preparation, so if there are any doubts at all, find somewhere else.
Motion sickness is also common and many people will suffer from it regardless of the mode of transport chosen. There are a number of remedies that can be tried, such as ginger and wristbands that apply pressure to certain points. Not everything will work on everyone, so trying a few before a big trip might be the best approach. If none of these simple remedies work, then it is a good idea to consult with a doctor for a prescription remedy.
Deep vein thrombosis (or DVT) is an important illness to be aware of. This is often associated with long-haul flights and it is potentially life threatening. Blood clots form as a result of this condition. There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the possibility of developing DVT. For long-haul flights, ensure that some time is spent moving around. Spending the whole of the flight in a seated position can be damaging to the circulation. Get up and walk around a little and ensure that the legs are stretched regularly. It is also possible to get “flight socks” that will help to boost the circulation while traveling. These may not look the height of fashion, but for those that are at risk, they can be a lifesaver.
Vaccinations
There are some destinations where vaccinations may be needed. Some destinations, particularly in developing countries, are prone to diseases that have been eradicated elsewhere, which is why a vaccination is important. In order to find out if a vaccination is required, the traveler should check out traveling advice via government websites and consult their doctor. A health check is a good idea in any case as any health issues can always be resolved before the trip begins, and the doctor can offer advice for staying healthy while
Medications while traveling
Those who take regular medications will need to be sure that they have enough with them to last for the duration of their trip. Those who are traveling for a while may need to buy medication online to be sure that they have enough, and to save some money. It is a good idea to check with a doctor regarding taking medications abroad. Some medications are not authorized for use in certain countries, so it may be necessary to have a letter of exemption to allow the medications to be taken in. This is normally fairly simple to arrange as exemptions are often made for those who have been on medication for some time. Never remove the medication from the original packaging as this makes it harder to identify. Sometimes these letters of exemption can take some time to arrange; so the sooner that this can be planned for the better.
Be healthy to start with!
It is not always possible to avoid getting ill, but before you travel it is possible to make sure that general well-being is as good as it can be. Ensure that the right foods are eaten, and give the immune system a boost so that any illnesses encountered abroad can be seen off fairly quickly. Traveling while ill is not as much fun as traveling while in good health; make the most of the vacation by taking every precaution to stay healthy so that it can be enjoyed as much as possible.
It is not always possible to avoid getting ill, but before you travel it is possible to make sure that general well-being is as good as it can be. Ensure that the right foods are eaten, and give the immune system a boost so that any illnesses encountered abroad can be seen off fairly quickly. Traveling while ill is not as much fun as traveling while in good health; make the most of the vacation by taking every precaution to stay healthy so that it can be enjoyed as much as possible.
This article was written by Amy W.
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