Tip Sheets and Story Ideas

July 25, 2003

Health Tips for Summer Remote Travels

Taking Off! July is the largest (or most popular) travel month of the year. Before taking off to vacation hot spots this summer, make time to see a travel health counselor who can tell you what vaccinations and preventive medicines you may need. Discuss any health problems with a counselor or doctor, prior to any air travel. Traveling in an airplane can be dangerous to your health, if you are suffering from certain diseases or conditions.

Persons with a history of altered blood coagulation, some tumors and a history of deep vein clotting conditions may have problems flying with the restricted seating/long time without activity which keeps blood flowing more freely.

Margaret Bruya, assistant dean for academic health services, professor and co-founder of People's Clinic at the Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing, says you should avoid flying if you have had recent middle ear surgery or infection or severe sinusitis. These conditions are likely to make a flight experience painful. Also, persons with any sort of infectious diseases, such as chicken pox, influenza, and Tuberculosis, should delay their traveling until they recover from the condition. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu, contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing communication director, at (509) 991-9151, susann@wsu.edu or Celise Varnedore, College of Nursing communication intern, at (509) 324-7218, icncommunications@wsu.edu.

ZZZ…Jet Lag! One of the worst things about traveling by air can be jet lag, which causes the body’s day and night rhythms to become offbeat. A person with jet lag will experience symptoms like, daytime fatigue, weakness, headache, sleepiness, and irritability.

Arriving at your travel destination rested will make a significant difference in jet lag. Don’t let the weariness of travel get you down, the following methods reduce jet lag. First, when possible, choose daytime flights to minimize loss of sleep and fatigue. Remember to get plenty of sleep before you leave. Also, avoid large fatty meals, caffeine, and alcohol during your flights. Sometimes exposure to the daytime outdoor light can help to prevent jet lag. Exercising, as much as possible, can also prevent jet lag. Many persons require as little as two days to acclimatize to time zone changes, depending upon the number of hours of change.

Margaret Bruya, assistant dean for academic health services, professor and co-founder of People's Clinic at the Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing says to remember a key, healthy factor for almost any health related condition is to drink plenty of water. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu, contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing communication director, at (509) 991-9151, susann@wsu.edu or Celise Varnedore, College of Nursing communication intern, at (509) 324-7218, icncommunications@wsu.edu.

Don’t Forget Insurance! Many insurance policies do not cover medical treatment outside the United States. Ask your health care provider or insurance company about receiving medical or emergency care in another state or country. Check to see how the policies and process works outside your home region. If your insurance is not active, when traveling, see about buying travelers insurance.

Margaret Bruya, assistant dean for academic health services, professor and co-founder of People's Clinic at the Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing, advises that you remember your medical insurance card and carry it with you at all times, and take physician or clinic phone numbers as well. Bruya says to bring along any prescriptions you are taking, enough to last the entire trip. Take extra supplies with you in case your return trip is delayed, and put medications in carry-on luggage in case your baggage is lost. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu, contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing communication director, at (509) 991-9151, susann@wsu.edu or Celise Varnedore, College of Nursing communication intern, at (509) 324-7218, icncommunications@wsu.edu

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