Travel Tips

It's always important to take care of your health, whether you're at home or away but there are some extra points that are important to keep in mind when you're traveling.

Common Travel Troubles

Three of the most common health problems that you may experience while traveling are jet lags, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When you fly across different time zones, the changes in the amount of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lags may cause some symptoms like upset stomach, insomnia and tiredness.

There are certain ways to combat jet lag; for example; if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. And if you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible, once you arrive.

Safe Eats and Drinks

So what foods are safe to eat? Any food item that has been boiled is generally safe. Fruits and vegetables should be peeled before eating. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat. You probably might have heard that you shouldn't drink the water in some countries overseas, but did you know why? Water supplies in many developing countries are not treated in the same way as seen in developed countries; various bacteria, viruses, and parasites are commonly found in the water.

Many experts suggest you to drink only bottled water when traveling. If you need to use tap water, you should boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Also, if you're brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, drinking a small glass of water to wash down pills, or adding ice to your drink, first take precautions to ensure that the water is safe.

Things to Carry Along

While preparing you for a medical tourism travel, packaging plays an important role. You need to include any regular medicine or medical supplies you use on a daily basis which may be difficult to find in your country of travel. Such items may include prescriptions of medicines, inhalers, insulin, contact lenses, vitamins etc.

Packing an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and diarrhea medication is also a good idea. It's always better to pack some over-the-counter allergy medication even if you don't use them at home. Sometimes people develop allergic reactions to pollens and other allergens in a new environment. People with asthma or suffering from other allergies can become allergic to new substances.

Write It All Down

Even if you watch what you eat and drink and get enough rest while you're traveling, you may still feel sick. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find competent medical care. The key lies in knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken or U.S. -trained doctors can be found. For this reason, it's always a good idea to carry a written copy of your medical history with you.

Healthcare information of an individual available at one place can help healthcare workers make appropriate decisions in case confronted with any health issue during the course of the travel.

Before you leave your home, create a medical history form that includes the following information: