Going on holiday is an exciting time, whether you’re going somewhere you’ve been before or somewhere completely new. However with any overseas trip, there is an element of risk to your health and safety. Here we look at some of the top concerns for travellers and how you can help to alleviate them for a safe, happy journey.
Concern 1: How do I avoid poor health overseas?
Before going on holiday, it’s important to visit your GP or health clinic (preferably at least six weeks prior to travel). This provides the opportunity to plan for any vaccinations required before your trip as well as making sure that you’re in tip-top shape for the journey and activities you have planned. A pre-holiday health check also provides the opportunity to re-stock any prescriptions you might need whilst away and ensure you have the right documentation to take with you – you may need to present supporting documentation from your doctor along with your medication when entering your chosen country.
Concern 2: How do I avoid DVT whilst travelling?
In recent years, there have been many concerns about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) whilst travelling long haul by air. This condition involves a blood clot forming in a vein deep in your body due to thickening and clumping of the blood. It usually occurs in the lower leg or thigh but can occur elsewhere too. Not only a painful condition, DVT can be life threatening too. However there are a number of things you can do whilst travelling to reduce the risk of DVT: Support socks and stockings can be used to help improve circulation in your legs, whilst regular movement like walking around the plane can keep your circulation healthy. If you have more specific questions or concerns about DVT, you can discuss them with your GP or local health clinic.
Concern 3: Is it safe to eat and drink overseas?
As well as planning to avoid illnesses like yellow fever and malaria through vaccinations, it’s important to take precautions whilst you’re on holiday too – especially in relation to what you eat and drink. Experiencing new cultures and trying new foods is all part of the holiday experience but you need to be aware that food hygiene differs greatly in other parts of the world. In some countries it will be safe to drink the water, whilst in others it won’t be. Doing thorough research before you travel will ensure that you’re aware of the food and drink risks before you go. If in doubt, always consume bottled water and if dining out, request to see the kitchen before ordering food.
Concern 4: What if I get ill whilst travelling?
If you become unwell whilst travelling, you need to go to a doctor or emergency room for treatment. In some countries, this treatment will be free whilst in others it can be costly. It also depends greatly on what’s wrong. This is where travel insurance comes in handy. Most travel insurance policies will cover you for medical treatment overseas or will get you home if it’s serious and you need more substantial treatment. When taking out a travel insurance policy, it’s important to be clear with them about where you’re going, your current medical history and what activities you plan on going whilst overseas, especially if you plan on doing extreme sports as different excesses and policy cover might apply.
A little bit of pre-holiday planning will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable journey with no worries – just happy memories that will last a lifetime.
Guest blogger
Our guest post blogspot features a wide and diverse range of guests who have written one-off blogs about different aspects of health and fitness. If you are interested in featuring on our guest blogspot, please contact us.
Join with Google
Join with Facebook