Hello from the Travel Doc.
These are some tips I use while traveling the US and beyond to stay healthy so I can enjoy my adventures.
1. Hydrate – remember to drink plenty of water before and during your travel. Hydration keeps your energy high. Hydration will help to avoid blood clots. Hydration will help to prevent jet lag.
Blood clots form when the veins in your legs are not moving for a long period of time. So on long trips [plane, car or train], people should walk around every 2 hours, pump their legs up & down stretching the calves, toe touches and stay hydrated. If they do not have stomach problems or bleeding after consultation with primary doctor, they can take aspirin at least 2 days before the trip and every day during the trip.
2. Avoid gaseous food before flying – don’t eat beans, broccoli, cabbage, etc 24 hours before flying. The pressurized compartment causes your abdomen to become expanded, bloated and discomfort. Bubbly drinks also are in this category.
3. Remember to pack your prescription medications – take your medications with you and stay on schedule. If you are in the USA, forget your medications and they are filled through a national brand pharmacy, you can contact the pharmacy to get a limited day supply. If you are out of the USA, you may not be able to find the medication. You can visit a local pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist. Also, if you are traveling internationally you should take your medications in their original bottles with YOUR name. It helps when processing through Customs.
4. Over the counter medications – take the medications you use regularly for fever, pain, acid reduction etc. You may not find your brand at your destinations.
5. Sunscreen – use if you are going to be exposed to the sun. And not only at the beach or in the summer, also mountain hiking, skiing and definitely near the equator. Apply the sunscreen 20 minutes before you are exposed in order for the skin to absorb the protection. Reapply every 2 hours or after in the water. Remember to put on the top of your head, the face, lips, ears and back of neck.
6. Boost your immune system: rest. Get enough sleep 6-8 hours each night. Sleep before a long trip. To avoid jet lag and change of time zones, start sleeping according to that time zone 2-3 days before the trip.
7. Things to carry – cleaning wipes. You touch objects that other people have touched and then you touch your face; that’s how viruses are passed. As you are traveling, wipe objects in the hotel [TV remotes, telephones, door handles, rental car [steering wheel, key fob, gear shift] or the airplane [arm rests, seat trays].
I hope these tips are helpful. Stay healthy and safe.
Yvette McQueen MD – The Travel Doctor
www.yvettemcqueenmd.com
