I gave a travel tip a while back about wearing comfortable shoes while traveling. It will save you muscle aches AND may save you money. Why?
In Europe [and YES the UK/England is part of Europe] many of the older areas, the parts of history you like to tour, the streets are cobblestone and slabs of stone. The steps can be uneven, different width & depth, even worn grooves from centuries of footsteps. The comfortable, flat cushion shoes will protect your soles and demand less stress on your calf muscles. And ladies, spiked heels will get caught in the grooves between the stones.
But this blog is not about shoes and cobblestones.
As I was exploring London today, I took a header to the ground; my face almost met the slab stone personally. I was “looking cute” with chunky heel boots and didn’t noticed the bottom step was shorter than the others. So I fell face forward to the ground; and the typically response is the arms outstretched to catch you. The angels spared me but as I was lying on the ground, face down and butt up; my friend and another man was asking “are you alright?”. I took a few seconds mental note to survey myself before I answered. I realized I was still conscious and responded. After they helped me up, my medical mind snapped into survey mode. Oh MY! The trauma this could have been: 1) Head injury, concussion, loss of consciousness; 2) Facial laceration, eye inury, broken teeth; 3) Wrist fracture [break] – outstretched hands on a fall is the common cause; 4) Knee injury. I walked away with a little soreness in an ankle that soon resolved itself. But have you ever thought about what you would do if trauma or illness occurred while you are traveling?
MEDICAL TRAVEL INSURANCE is a necessity while traveling internationally. If you become ill or have an accident while traveling, your US based medical insurance typically does not cover your medical care internationally, but more importantly most international medical facilities will NOT accept it. My hotel was close to an university A&E [Emergency Room] and there were several medical clinics [Urgent Care] also in the area. The medical treatment is available but typically they would require payment before service in the form of cash or credit card. To go to an A&E in an internationally country is not as costly as in the USA, but it can be a nuisance, timely and disrupt your vacation. Medical travel insurance is helpful because it can be accepted by international medical facilities, or you are reimbursed for your payment; assistance in finding services nearby for your medical need; and if needed, evacuation to a higher level of care facility in another country or back to the USA. There are different types available: one time vacation, annual traveler, business traveler, adventurer, student, mission traveler. Medical travel insurance cost a little extra on your vacation, but it saves a large amount of headache and money if needed.
Examples of people who needed it:
* Raw oyster eater – vomited for 2 days following
* Tour bus accident – broken bones
* Zip lining – fell
* Premature delivery of infant
* Allergic reaction to food
… and many more. Protect yourself and your travels.
YVETTE MCQUEEN MD – THE TRAVEL DOCTOR
