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 Health & Beauty | May 2008 
Passport to Health
 R.J. Ignelzi - San Diego Union-Tribune
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Smart travelers lessen potential medical difficulties, confusion before leaving the country.
As your long-awaited vacation draws near, you're busy checking off your travel to-do list. You've booked your flights, arranged hotels and even bought a sexy new swimsuit.
Just don't forget to plan for the one thing that's critical to any great vacation good health. Early preparation and smart packing can help make your trip a healthy one, no matter if your destination is Paris, Puerto Vallarta or Pittsburgh.
While some illnesses and accidents can't be avoided while you're away from home, you can help minimize the discomfort and frustration by expecting the best and preparing for the worst, say travel medicine experts.
The following are some healthy things to consider before you set out on your journey.
MEDICAL CARE WHEN YOU'RE AWAY
Before you leave, check how your health insurance policy handles medical care when you travel out of the country. Medicare does not cover you outside the United States.
Consider purchasing a supplemental policy that guarantees medical payments and evacuation in case of serious illness or death. Check out the U.S. Department of State Web site (travel.state.gov) for companies offering travel health insurance. Look for ones that keep a database of Western-trained and English-speaking doctors. Check insuremytrip.com for a comparison and an overview of the top 16 travel insurance companies.
Check out the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (iamat.org) or the U.S. State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services (travel.state.gov) to get recommendations for English-speaking doctors at your destination.
The medical department of most American embassies can give you a list of doctors who speak English and have worked with Western travelers before, says Dr. David Spees, a family medicine physician and director of the Sharp Rees Stealy Travel Clinic serving Rancho Bernardo and Carmel Valley.
To get information about traveling with disabilities and about handicapped access to cruise ships, hotels and cities around the world, see Access-Able Travel Source, access-able.com.
Avoid blood transfusions in non-Western countries since the blood supply is often not well-screened, says Dr. Katharine Woessner, an allergist with Scripps Clinic's Travel Clinic in Carmel Valley.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Check out the Web sites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/travel), the World Health Organization (who.int) or the U.S. State Department's Overseas Citizens Services (travel.state.gov). The sites can tell you which vaccines are recommended or required for the countries you will visit. Since it can take several weeks for immunity to develop, it's a good idea to get your shots well ahead of your departure.
Make sure your flu shot is up to date. Check with your doctor to see if you need an adult booster for such diseases as measles, polio, tetanus, pneumococcal, diphtheria and pertussis.
In some parts of the world you may need additional vaccines to help protect you from illnesses, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, encephalitis, meningitis, typhoid, yellow fever, polio and rabies. Which vaccines you need depend on your destination, age, general health and previous immunizations.
Some parts of Africa, Asia, Mexico, South America and Central America are risk areas for malaria. Since malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, use insect repellents that contain DEET. Spray a repellent containing Permethrin on clothing and use a bed net. Ask your doctor or travel medicine specialist if you need to take antimalaria medication.
HEALTH & MEDICAL SUPPLIES (Pack in your carry-on bag. Gels and liquids should be contained in a quart-size plastic bag. If traveling with someone, divide up the supplies.)
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer and wipes
Antibiotics (doctor's prescription)
Eyedrops
Medications for aches and pain
Diarrhea medicine
Laxative
Antacid
Decongestant for upper respiratory illness
Throat lozenges
Antihistamine
Products for cleaning and storing contact lenses
Spare pair of eyeglasses
Hearing aid battery replacements
Cortisone cream
Sunscreen
Insect repellent containing DEET
FIRST-AID KIT (Pack in your carry-on bag.)
Antibacterial ointment
Cotton balls and swabs
Adhesive bandages in several sizes
Moleskin for blisters
Gauze and adhesive tape
Ace bandages
Thermometer
Tweezers
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES (Pack in your carry-on.)
Pack your prescription meds in the original containers with your name on them.
Carry at least an extra week's worth of medication.
Pack a copy of the doctor's prescription.
Make sure the prescriptions lists the generic name of the drug since different medicines are known by different brand names in other countries.
MEDICAL DOCUMENTS (Pack in your carry-on.)
A medical emergency card that contains basic information, including your blood type, drug allergies, contact information for your primary physician, insurance information and a contact person and phone number.
A list of medications (with generic names) and dosages.
Your immunization records.
Your insurance card.
If you have an implanted metal device, such as a pacemaker, take along documentation from you doctor in case the device sets off metal detectors at the airport.
A copy of your latest EKG if you have a history of heart problems.
If you have a complicated medical history, take your most relevant medical records.
Your most recent lab work if you get regular lab evaluations for a chronic condition.
AIR-TRAVEL MALADIES
Dehydration. Drink more water than you normally would. Avoid alcohol starting a couple of days before you travel and throughout your flight.
Ear pain. Use a decongestant nasal spray before takeoff and, if the flight is more than four hours, before landing. Or, try an oral decongestant before you fly. Swallow frequently with the help of gum, hard candy or by taking tiny sips of water.
Blood clots. Move your feet up and down. Change your seating position frequently. Walk up and down the aisles every hour. Wear compression stockings.
Motion sickness. Fly at night with your seat reclined. Sit toward the front of the plane or over the front edge of a wing. Don't read. Try motion sickness medication containing meclizine (Bonine). Prescription scopolamine patch worn behind the ear is effective but can have side effects such as confusion, dryness, dilation of pupils and drowsiness.
Jet lag. Try to get on your destination's time before you leave home. Newer sleeping pills can be used on a short-term basis. Eat protein in the morning. Get early morning sun. Adapt to the new time zone as soon as you arrive. If you're going to be away for more than one week, Spees recommends 3 milligrams to 5 milligrams of melatonin an hour before bed.
FOOD AND WATER SAFETY
If you can't peel it, boil it or cook it, forget it, Spees says. So, for example, say yes to an orange, but no to grapes.
Don't eat from street vendors.
Some dairy products are not pasteurized in developing countries. Avoid milk and cultured cheese products.
Drink bottled water instead of tap water. Make sure the cap has an unbroken seal.
Use bottled water for brushing teeth.
Avoid ice cubes.
Don't eat salads in developing countries since the lettuce is difficult to clean and may have been rinsed with contaminated water.
Avoid uncooked foods such as sushi, steak tartare or ceviche.
SPECIAL NEEDS TRAVEL
If you must use narcotics, a controlled substance or a syringe, carry a letter from your doctor explaining why you need it.
Those with heart problems should take a copy of their last EKG so a doctor has a baseline to compare.
Take the names and telephone numbers of the U.S. hospitals where you have been treated.
If you need oxygen while in flight, arrange for it with the airline several weeks in advance. You will need a doctor's prescription. You cannot take your own oxygen tank on a plane.
If you need a wheelchair at the airport, arrange it with the airline in advance.
If you've recently completed chemotherapy or are on drugs that suppress the immune system, Woessner urges that you postpone long-distance travel, especially to developing countries.
If you're pregnant, traveling in your third trimester is usually not recommended. Certain medications and immunizations may not be advised because of potential side effects for the unborn child. When pregnant, avoid regions where malaria or yellow fever are common.
If you have a medical condition that may require emergency care, wear a medical-alert bracelet or necklace, or carry a card that identifies your condition.
Staff librarian Beth Wood contributed to this story. |
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