There are plenty of things you need to get ready for a much-awaited vacation. These might include your suitcase, your passport, your climate-appropriate clothes, and your favorite pair of fuzzy slippers. However, if you have a pre-existing health condition, you’re going to need some extra preparations.
Whether you’ve got eczema, asthma, or any long-term health issue, you need to be ready to prevent adverse situations while you’re far from home. Here are some quick reminders to help you ensure a smooth voyage even with a long-standing obstacle to your health:
Don’t Forget Your Medications and Other Essentials
This probably goes without saying, but you should never, ever forget your medications before traveling. Having a pre-existing health condition can be a bummer during a trip, more so if you don’t have the right medicines to keep your health in check. If you have diabetes, for example, you need to bring your medications as well as your insulin, syringes, and medical supplies to properly manage your condition throughout your trip. The same goes for people with severe allergies, who may need to bring antihistamines and adrenaline auto-injectors. Those with heart conditions and hypertension may also need to bring a large amount and variety of medicines to last the entire trip.
Similarly, people with asthma must remember to bring medications and a travel-sized nebulizer or inhaler, depending on their doctor’s recommendation. Those with eczema must bring medicines to control their symptoms, as well as all the necessary creams to manage rashes. Of course, it’s important to refill prescriptions ahead of the trip and make sure that none of the medications are expired or nearing the expiration date.
Know Your Destination
There’s a reason why spontaneous trips aren’t the wisest choice for those with health conditions. When going to a new place, especially a foreign country, people with health issues need to have a clear idea of how their bodies will react. Cold climates, for instance, might worsen conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, and anemia. People with eczema also tend to have climate triggers, and might experience flare-ups and itching due when exposed to dry air and direct sunlight.
So, if you have conditions that could worsen after a change in weather, you need to thoroughly research your destination before your trip. If you’re going to a foreign country, it’s also a good idea to know about the nation’s healthcare system to determine your options for care in case unprecedented medical emergencies arise.
Opt for Optimal Travel Arrangements
In addition to your travel destination, you also need to know the kind of travel setup that would make you feel most comfortable. This is especially important during long-distance trips and long-haul air travel, where you will be sitting in an enclosed space for quite a while.
To travel as comfortably as possible, make sure to prepare your setup way before you book your trip. If you have a heart condition, wear compression socks or stockings to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs and causing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during your flight. It would also be a good idea to pick an aisle seat, which will allow you to move better for mid-journey stretches or restroom trips. If possible, fly with an airline that can provide specialized assistance, especially if you need to bring medical equipment. As much as it’s important to stay healthy at your destination, it’s also vital to stay well on the way there.
Bring Medical Paperwork
Regardless of whether you’re traveling locally or internationally, you need to keep your medical documents with you at all times. These include prescriptions, identification bracelets, ID cards, doctor’s certificates, and health insurance papers. It would also be ideal to have a list of your medications and allergies as well as emergency contact details, including those of your doctor. Apart from fulfilling common travel requirements, having these documents would allow attending personnel to give you the appropriate medical treatment during emergencies.
Get Insured
In addition to health insurance, which you should get if you don’t already have one, you also need to have travel insurance with sufficient coverage for your condition. Beyond standard insurance packages, you can also opt for tailored bundles intended for travelers with specific medical conditions. Overall, it pays to have financial protection for illnesses or injuries when you have a weaker immune system than most.
A Few Reminders Before You Go
Before heading out the door and toward your destination, there are a few things you need to remember other than the ones mentioned above. For one, you need to make time for consultations with your doctor to discuss all the relevant details of your trip. A professional with adequate knowledge of your medical history can give you the most helpful advice on best health practices, including diets, medications, and vaccinations. They can also recommend possible alternatives for a holiday destination that may prevent unwanted situations from compromising your health.
Lastly, it’s extremely important to plan your trip ahead and have as many contingencies as possible. In case you lose your medication during your trip, you need to know the nearest care facilities where you can get medicines or supplies. At the end of the day, being suitably prepared is miles better than being left helpless during an emergency.
It takes a great deal of mindfulness and foresight to stay healthy during your journey. That said, having a pre-existing health issue shouldn’t stop you from making the most of your getaway. No matter how near or far you’ll be traveling, be sure to keep these reminders in mind to stay safe and healthy wherever you may be.
.jpg)
0 comments: