Traveling and Living

Increasing numbers of active adults are enjoying travel. Remaining healthy during your trip is paramount to your enjoyment. Here are some helpful tips. Many people encounter health challenges when they fly or travel by automobile. Longer flights and long car trips increase risk factors. Stop for a stretch break every hour or two when traveling by car.

Drink Water.
Before and during your flight drink plenty of water. Water hydrates the body hence alleviating symptoms of dehydration. Moisture to the nose, eyes, throat and mouth are all maintained through adequate hydration. The process of maintaining pressurized airplane cabins is focused on maintaining enough oxygen – not on enough humidity. Airplane air is very dry and keeping yourself hydrated prevents added stress on your body.
Avoid carbonated drinks, tea and coffee as they are all diuretic in nature

Wear Loose Clothing.
Wearing clothing with an adjustable or expandable waistline, and comfortable footwear.
Sitting long periods of time causes swelling. The same applies to road travel. Restrictive clothing interferes with circulation, digestion and elimination and is unkind to oneself.

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine. In addition to the diuretic effect of these beverages, these drinks result in disruption of sleeping patterns.

Choose Flight Times Wisely.
Choose your flight time wisely you can suffer much less from jet lag. Book Air + Hotel together and SAVE with Travelocity It may seem like you ‘wasted’ a whole day traveling – but better that than wasting a day recuperating from lost sleep. The best thing to do is to stay up and go to be at the normal bed time at your destination.

Minimize jet lag by getting plenty of sleep before you go. Reduce alcohol consumption and eat well-balanced meals and do not overeat. Do not eat rich or spicy foods prior to flying.

Avoid over-the-counter and prescription sleeping medications as much as possible and consult a doctor, before using them.
Get as much exercise as you can on your trip. If you have a stop over – don’t sit –take advantage of the airports long corridors for some exercise.

Get enough Sleep.
Many people do not sleep well in different surroundings. Combined with restless sleep and an active schedule and time zone changes it is easy to become overtired. Do not spoil you vacation by neglecting the importance of adequate rest.

Avoid Ear Pain
An existing nasal congestion or a cold can increase the intensity of ear pain during flights. Taking a decongestant medication prior to flight can help. Consult your doctor
Chewing gum or sucking candy, during take-off and landing can normalize pressure on the ear drum. Swallowing hard can help somewhat.

Carry your medications.
Carrying your medications in carry-on luggage reduces the danger of losing access to them, should your luggage get lost or delayed.

Ask you doctor if you need to change the dosage during your trip, and how you should readjust the times you take your medication to deal with time changes. If you have diabetes or epilepsy wear a medical alert bracelet – incase of an emergency. In addition to stating your medical problem, the bracelet needs to be inscribed with your medications and dosages and your doctors contact information.

Bring the details of your medications—stored separately from the medications.

Avoid getting Blood Clots.
Contrary to what we may think it is not only people with circulatory problems that can get blood clots in their legs after long flights. The problem is sitting for lengthy periods of time can restrict proper blood flow to your feet and legs.

Try to get up and walk from end-to-end of the plane once per hour. Wearing support stockings and stretching calf muscles can help. Drinking enough water is the most important preventative strategy.

Special Medical Needs
Some individuals who need oxygen therapy for circulatory, heart, or respiratory problems may need to take oxygen before and after or during a flight. Consult your doctor. Airlines may provide you with oxygen for a fee. Due to federal regulations you cannot carry oxygen onto a plane. This means that if you require oxygen, you need to make arrangements to have access to oxygen at your travel destination.
Prearrange special meal requirements prior to leaving and if you need assistance such as wheel chairs, ensure your ticket is clearly marked.

Scuba Diving to taking Wing
It’s dangerous to fly immediately after scuba diving. You’ll need to wait 12 to 24 hours after diving. Ask your doctor or diving authorities for guidelines on flying after scuba diving.

Get your Exercise
Exercise prevents blood clots,  help prevent swelling which may lead to muscle and joint pain. Doing leg extensions, or standing and raising up onto your tip toes and coming down slowly, exercises the calf muscles. Even gentle exercise helps keep your body working more normally, than remaining in sitting position for countless hours.

Listen to your Body
It is unhealthy to delay emptying your bladder. Older men should empty their bladder every two hours, to prevent escalation of prostrate gland problems.

Eating and Drinking Abroad
Use extreme caution about what you eat abroad. Do not eat rare meats – especially ground meats, steak tartar, raw fish (such as sushi), unpasteurized milk or milk products, egg products such as mayonnaise and custards, salads, shellfish and unpeeled fruits.

In many places tap water is not safe for drinking and is best avoided. This presents a challenge as soft drinks, caffeinated drinks and alcohol are diuretic and drinking water is essential for preventing dehydration, aiding elimination of toxins and general health. Bottled water is available most places and purchasing it is the best way to prevent exposure to water that could cause “tourist diarrhea” – or worse yet hepatitis, typhoid, intestinal parasites, or dysentery. Use bottled water for brushing teeth and for swallowing pills.
In many tropical countries a piece of fruit, or even an ice cube in an alcoholic beverage can be enough to result in getting hepatitis. Countries that pose a high risk include Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Eastern or Southern Europe where risks of Travelers’ Diarrhea, Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever.

Avoid food sold by street vendors. Always wash your hands with soap and water before you eat and every time you use a washroom. Practice washroom hygienic practices.

Vaccines
Four to six weeks before your trip visit your doctor and a travel health clinic to determine necessary vaccinations and regional health risks for the destinations on your itinerary. Most vaccinations require time to take effect and must be administered several weeks in advance, at least. Dukoral is the only oral vaccine available to prevent Traveler’s Diarrhea and Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever. Vivaxim an injected vaccine provides protection with a single shot.