There is a popular quote that says that travelling is what makes us richer. Unfortunately, it can also make us sick. Travelling can expose you to a variety of health risks that can compromise your immune system. And while you may not be able to completely exempt yourself from falling sick, you can reduce your chances. The tips that will be described in this article are highly effective but,if you still keep on getting sick, it is a good idea to see an immunologist. Hill Park General Hospital is one of those few facilities which has both internal medicine specialists and immunologists on its panel, who can help you with immunity problems.
Here are some tips to stay healthy while travelling.
- Boost your immune system: Your diet has far-reaching effects on your immune system. Start taking vitamin C and D enriched foods, drink fruit and vegetable juices, catch enough sleep and exercise regularly prior to your trip. A healthy, nutrient-rich is good for the immune system and will reduce your chances of getting sick while travelling.
- Carry first aid kit: Always remember to pack a first aid kit before you leave for your adventures. Your basic first aid kit should contain tablets to relieve diarrhoea, indigestion, heartburn, and panadol. A cortisone cream, bug repellent, ice pack, bandaids should also be kept. Carry this kit wherever you go to always have quick access to your medications. If you do end up feeling funny, the sooner the treatment starts, the sooner you can recover and enjoy the rest of the trip.
- Wash and sanitize your hands: According to a study, most germs find their way into your body through your hands. As basic as this might seem, most people just forget to wash their hands especially while travelling. So, make sure that you are carrying a handy bottle of hand wash and sanitizer with you everywhere. Wash your hands before and after every meal and after using the toilet. When there is no running water available, use your sanitizer to clean your hands. Maintenance of basic hygiene reduces the chances of spreading infection and bacteria.
- Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is not an easy task especially with a hectic schedule, noisy surroundings and frequent flights. But the importance of catching enough sleep while travelling cannot be emphasized upon enough. Adequate levels of sleep boost your immune making one less likely to fall ill.
- Drink bottled water: Staying hydrated is really important if you are planning on having an illness-free trip. Action-packed days, hot climates and long flights call for extra hydration. Don’t put your health at stake by drinking tap water in areas where you are not sure about water purification methods. Always opt for bottled water to avoid drinking contaminated water. Also, don’t forget to double-check the seal on your bottled water.
- Eat wisely: Gastrointestinal problems are very common among travellers and the major reason behind them is food contamination. To prevent diarrhoea, salmonella, shigella, typhoid, and other nasty diseases make sure that the food you are eating is fresh, served piping hot and cooked thoroughly.
- Exercise: You might not be able to hit your regular workout goals while on the go, but at least try staying as active as possible. Many hotels have fitness corners that can be used for exercising. Exercise eliminates your chances of falling sick drastically by rejuvenating your cells which eventually boosts your immune levels.
- Protect yourself from the sun: It is important to understand that massive exposure to the sun can cause a lot more than sunburn. If you are travelling to a place with a hotter climate, you are not only exposed to the risk of getting dehydrated but also heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heat Strokes can cause an extreme medical emergency if not treated timely.
So, make sure whenever you are exposed to direct sunlight you are wearing sun protection and loose-fitting clothes. Also, ensure that your head is covered with a hat or a scarf and you are drinking sufficient water. In case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, seek immediate medical help.
- Prevent bug and mosquito bites: Bug and mosquito bites are not just annoying but dangerous too. They can transmit diseases like malaria, dengue or yellow fever to you. Use bug repellent lotions, wear the right kind of clothing and sleep under permethrin-coated nets where necessary. Antimalarials can also be taken with your doctor’s permission.
- Get vaccinated: Prevention is better than cure. So, visit a local travel clinic and ask the nurses there to help you get all the necessary vaccinations for your travelling needs. Vaccines help you stay protected against diseases.
All the above-mentioned tips and tricks, if followed rightly, will give you necessary protection against any unwanted illnesses for a stress-free holiday. If you want to get vaccinated before you leave for your vacation, you can visit any hospital and see a general physician. Ziauddin hospital can be a good option, as it has multiple, very competitive general physicians on its panel.