Dr. Ruth: Travel Safe
Posted by Laura Nelson on July 13, 2009
By Dr. Ruth Martens, M.D., D. Ht
Dr. Ruth Martens, M.D., D. Ht.
With the recent worries about swine flu, you might wonder how you can keep your family safe when traveling, whether by air, by sea or land. What do you need to be concerned about? What are the most common problems you are likely to encounter?
The answers to those questions depend on where you plan to travel. Outside the United States, your first stop should be the CDC website and recommendations for travel to the area you plan to go to. Vaccinations can be required or recommended. You will not be allowed into the country you plan to visit or back to the US if you do not get the required vaccinations. Recommended vaccinations, however, are just that. They are your choice.
Investigate epidemics in the area you plan to travel in. Ask about water and food quality. Four star hotels in the city of a third world country may be relatively safe, while a small village may not. WHO may give you more information about current health emergencies in other countries.
If there is any question about water quality stick to canned drinks or bottled water (that is not just bottled tap water). Remember to avoid foods washed in water (salad) and ice cubes, drinks made with tap water (tea, coffee, lemonade). Even brushing your teeth could cause problems. Contaminated food and water can cause anything from stomach upset to full-blown diarrhea. Oatmeal or brown rice water will help slow down diarrhea without interfering with your body’s attempt to cleanse the bacterium from its system.
If anyone in your family suffers from motion sickness, bring ginger tea, candy or soda along. The wrist bands with the acupressure point stimulator also work well for some people.
Plan ahead for the weather, temperatures and climate you plan to visit. Severe sunburn can not only ruin a trip but leave scars and sensitize your skin to further damage in the future. Hats and long sleeves should be considered along with sunblock (which only prevents the burn, not the sun damage). Altitude sickness can be avoided by allowing time to acclimate before jumping headlong into climbing or skiing. Jet lag is also caused by the body attempting to adjust to changing multiple time zones. You can speed up the adjustment by eating lightly before and during travel and sleeping and eating at the destination times on your arrival. Get as much daylight exposure at your destination as you can. It will shorten your adjustment to the new time.
With a little forethought, you can enjoy your trip and still be ready for anything that comes your way.
Dr. Ruth Martens is a family physician in Wheaton specializing in nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and classical homeopathic medicine. She is board certified in Classical Homeopathy. For more information call (630) 668-5595.
Tags:Health & Fitness, Travel
