Traveling is cathartic and the most powerful way of self-healing. However, it can be exciting and tedious at the same time—exciting and a pleasure for the healthy, and a bit of a challenge for those who travel with a chronic condition, given the physical demands.
If you are one of them and have been ignoring the calls of the mountains, valleys, and the vast oceans fearing your chronic health condition, then here are a few valuable tips to help plan a great trip without compromising on your health.
“You’d be surprised what is possible. For example, lots of patients on hemodialysis are reluctant to travel, but some cruises offer hemodialysis onboard,” says Seth Feltheimer, MD, a general internist who specializes in travel medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “I have very few problems with patients who have prepared appropriately for travel.” quotes the Columbia Doctors website.
But before we begin chalking out the list there is something we’d like you to think about. While we intend to motivate you to step out of the fear zone and use the tips we provide for safe traveling with a chronic health condition we also urge you to be the best judge and listen to your body. You know best when it comes to how much your body can take and when it is time to stop.
Having said that here are ways you can plan your travel effectively and make the most of your trip.
Before the trip
1- Consulting your doctor is mandatory. Ensure that you make an appointment with your physician at least a month in advance and give them all the details of your travel including the destination, the weather conditions, the mode and duration of travel. It is recommended to discuss all your concerns along with the itinerary for them to give you specific advice.
2-Make a note of the vaccines or any medications that you need to take before you travel and let your doctor know so they to guide you against any medicinal reactions based on your health condition.
3- Check if there are any medicine restrictions in the country that you are traveling to. If you require special help like oxygen, you may have to notify the airline in advance.
4-Getting travel insurance may be a good idea. You can if your existing medical insurance doesn’t cover expenses abroad.
During the trip
1- During your travel carry a card with you that contains all the info about your health, your allergies, and the emergency medication you require. This will help people around you to deal with any medical emergency. Also, carry a copy of your reports and prescription for the local doctors to help them assess your situation correctly and provide the necessary treatment.
2-Ensure that you eat healthy food and do not consume anything that may aggravate your symptoms. If you have been advised to do a certain amount of physical activity and exercise, it is recommended to follow the instructions and take all your medications on time without missing any doses.
3- The mode of travel can be a challenge. Airplanes fly at a high altitude which can lead to low oxygen levels in the cabin. This can be a problem if you have a heart or a lung condition. Hence the required precautions need to be taken as advised by the doctor. If you have any circulatory issues then you may have the risk of swelling on your legs along with discomfort and the formation of blood clots. It is important to follow the doctor’s advice and do the needful which may include walking around at intervals, stretching your limbs, doing leg lifts several times wearing compression stockings, and taking blood thinners if your physician has recommended to do so.
4-Avoid contact or proximity with ill people while traveling. That may put you at a risk of contracting infections which may worsen your medical condition.
After the trip
1- Although this may sound ironic your body needs rest after a holiday due to the physical strain. Hence you must get the required downtime to recuperate and be able to go back to your normal routine.
2- If you feel you have developed any kind of symptoms like persistent pain, fever, etc you may consult your doctor immediately to rule out any health complications.
There may be incidents that can happen while you are traveling, but with proper planning based on your condition and destination, you can enjoy your trip and make memories that will last a lifetime.
We hope this was helpful and would love to hear from you if we have missed out on anything or if you want to share a tip that worked for you. Do reach out to us on care@sukino.com and we shall be all ears and even share your story on our blog section.
We leave you with an endearing quote that says,” We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.”
