February 14th, 2020
Last updated: February 14th, 2020
It's holiday season which means travel for leisure or quality family time. Unfortunately, travel can also lead to health problems ranging from the unpleasant to canceling your entire plans.
Travel-related health problems arise from a variety of factors, including infections, the mode of transportation, and participation in certain activities, such as diving and high-altitude hiking during travel. Also bear in mind that your preexisting medical condition could worsen during the extremes of travel.
Fortunately, most travel-related health problems can be prevented with a combination of planning, optimizing your immunity, and safety precautions during travel. Our clinical team at WellHealth offers a few tips for the season:
Avoiding Infections The simplest first step is making sure you get an annual flu shot It takes a few weeks to build your immunity, so get vaccinated well before your trip and take your supplements. WH advanced blood wellness panels can ensure we identify deficits and our IV suite can immediate replace any such deficits. Be vigilant about handwashing Be prepared with over-the-counter medications Pack acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease fever, body aches, or other flu-like symptoms Try to rest and get plenty of fluids. For last-minute hydration, visit our luxurious IV lounge. If you become very ill, seek medical attention. WH will offer extended hours during the holidays. Montezuma’s or your Mother-in-laws revenge
Holiday food doesn’t have to mean diarrhea.
Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, and vegetables. Choose bottled water Make sure bottled water is sealed and is a brand name. choose seltzer water because it’s harder to counterfeit Talk to your doctor about antibiotics you can take with you in case you develop a travel illness. Jet Lag
Jet lag a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across multiple time zones. Your body has its own internal clock or circadian rhythms, that signals your body when to stay awake and when to sleep.
Flying across several time zones can upend your normal sleep-wake time clock Get into the sun so you get your time clock organized as quickly as possible Eat at the time locals do and get on their schedule Using sleep aids or taking naps when you land might make you feel better in the short term but could delay you from adjusting to the local time WH professionals utilize prescription strength medications to help with the above Enjoy your Happy Holidays without making them Heavy Holidays
Eat balanced meals in-line with your diet goals. WellHealth has recently launched Enara Weight Loss, a 24-hour medically supervised weight loss program. One of the great benefits of this program is the ability to use your phone to share pictures of your holiday meals with your dietician, who can advise you if your meals are naughty or nice.
Different locales mean different allergens
Environmental allergies can ruin your holidays as much as a missed connection. WellHealth advanced allergy testing for food or environmental allergens can identify any allergy you may have, even if you have not been exposed to it yet. WellHealth providers can tailor a program to boost your immunity or even desensitize you to possible allergens you might react to. We can also prescribe you with preventative and/or rescue medication for your travel kit
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness can occur at altitudes at or above 4,000 feet can trigger shortness of breath, muscle pain, and headache. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom. Taking a drug called acetazolamide a day before your trip and for the first few days can prevent this travel sickness. Avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water, and don’t overdo physical activity the first day – Utilize the WellHealth IV Lounge to ensure your body’s tank is full.
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness happens when your inner ears and other senses detect motion, but your eyes don’t. Mixed signals reach the brain and trigger nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. On a boat, go up on deck so you see the horizon. In a car, sit in the front seat. Over-the-counter Dramamine can help. See your doctor for other treatments – WH can prescribe specific medications, before you travel.
Sunburns
Take along (and use) a sunscreen and a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher. It should say broad-spectrum or UVA+UVB on the label. If you get burned, cool baths or wet cloths can ease pain. Apply moisturizer, drink water, and stay out of the sun until your skin heals. Utilize WellHealth IV lounge targeting rehydration and hair skin and nails formula
Jellyfish Stings
A beached jellyfish, even a dead one, can sting as pressure triggers the release of the tentacle barbs and venom.
In non-tropical waters, wash the area with water to neutralize the sting. In tropical waters, use vinegar, not water. Use shaving cream or soap if vinegar isn’t available. Rub a credit card over the area to remove any stingers and then reapply vinegar.
The sting of some jellyfish in waters off Australia and in Indo-Pacific areas can be more than a travel illness – it can be fatal. If any jellyfish sting results in shortness of breath, chest pain, or intense pain at the sting site, get help right away.
Insect Bites
Mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus and, in some parts of the world, malaria and dengue fever. You can catch Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever from a tick bite.
Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and a hat, [and] tuck your shirt into your pants Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and in the evening, when some mosquitoes are more active Insect repellants containing DEET are by far the most effective
WH providers can review your possible destination to see which anti-malarial medication is best for you or which additional immunization you need. Our advanced protocols will ensure that your immune system, hydration status, medication kit is ready for your trip before you go.
Holiday travel doesn't have to be one riddled with sickness, ailments, and discomfort from the various factors that can affect your body. Use these tips and discuss your travel plans with your provider. Have a happy holidays and safe travels!
