Health Tips
Fatigue
Air
Sickness
Pressurization
Problems
Dehydration
Swollen
Ankles
Food
& Water
Hygiene
Medical
Problems
Disease
Information
Health Tips
Air travel today
is more confortable and more streamlined than
ever before. But even the most experienced
traveler can fall pray to various disorders.
These range from air sickness or fatigue to the
now renowned executive bug known as jet lag. All
these problems can, however, be either prevented
or at least greatly eased.
Fatigue
During or after a
flight, fatigue is common. It is caused by the
length of the journey and also frequently by
preflight anxiety or excitement. Rest and relax
before flying. See to preflight preparations
such as immunization and vaccination well in
advance, and avoid too hectic a schedule on the
day before the flight.
Air
Sickness
Caused by a bumpy
ride, by anxiety or by excitement, sickness is
sometimes experienced in aircraft, just as it is
in cars and boats. Because modern aircraft fly
above bad weather, it is now an infrequent
ailment, affecting probably not more than one in
a thousand travelers.
Turbulence can
upset the labyrinth mechanism of the inner ear,
part of the organ of balance, and cause
sickness. Keep the head as still as possible on
the headrest. Avoid fried and fatty foods,
excess alcohol and smoking. Ask a doctor's
advice on sickness tablets, particularly in
pregnancy. The effective drugs include hyoscine,
cyclizine, diphenhydramine, meclozine and
promethazine.
Pressurization
Problems
An aircraft cabin
is a communal space suit; air is pumped in to
keep the pressure at the outside equivalent of
8,000 feet/2660 meters. For technical reasons,
it is not possible to achieve ground-level
pressure in the aircraft, and the difference can
cause discomfort when gases in the body,
especially in the intestines, expand.
Palliatives are
not to overeat, to avoid carbonated drinks and
to wear loose clothing and shoes. Change of
pressure during takeoff or landing can affect
the ears. A popping sensation is common, and
earache or even temporary deafness can develop.
These can all be overcome by constant
swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum. Babies
achieve the same end by crying noisily, sucking
on a bottle, pacifier or on a straw. Anyone with
a heavy cold or sinus trouble is prone to sinus
pain or earache during a flight, particularly
during descent. Nose drops help but, if
possible, avoid flying. Smokers in particular
may be affected by the cabin atmosphere as they
have a small amount of carbon monoxide in their
blood. As the oxygen decreases, this amount
increases, sometimes causing a headache or a
feeling of being drowsy. The remedy is to cut
down on smoking.
Dehydration
The aircraft's
pumped-in atmosphere is slightly dry. As a
result dehydration can occur. Combat this by
drinking as much fluid as possible. Alcohol
increases dehydration, so avoid it in flight and
be particularly abstemious on long flights to
hot countries; dehydration is a serious problem
in hot climates.
Swollen
Ankles
Sitting in the same seat
on a long flight puts continuous pressure on the
veins in the thighs. People with varicose veins
are most affected and their feet and ankles may
swell slightly. Wear loose roomy shoes,
preferably sneakers or moccasins (no boots
please!) and walk up and down the cabin
periodically.
Food
& Water Hygiene
Food should
never be assumed to be safe unless it is known
to have been freshly and thoroughly cooked. Make
sure meals have not been re-heated and
re-arranged. Avoid complicated delicacies that
have received much handling during preparation,
and cold platters left out in the open as they
are likely to be contaminated. Shellfish can be
a particular hazard especially where water
quality may be poor. Fruit and vegetables should
be freshly cooked or peeled.
Drinking
Water
Water quality from the public drinking
supply can not be guaranteed for most countries
outside northern Europe, North America and
Australia. Travelers should be aware of the
risks and precautions associated with water
quality whether for drinking, washing, preparing
food or swimming. Travelers on short trips to
areas with water supplies of uncertain quality
should avoid drinking tap-water or untreated
water from any other source. It is best to keep
to hot drinks, bottled or canned drinks
(carbonated drinks are slightly safer). Boiling
is a good way of treating water and this can be
used for drinking or brushing teeth. Ice is only
as safe as the water from which it is made and
drinks should be cooled by placing them on ice
rather than adding ice to them.
Bathing
Water
Swimming-pools, fresh-water or sea-water
require filtration and cleansing unless the
water is frequently changed. If this is not done
infections of the eyes and ears are a hazard. If
the general cleanliness and hygiene standards of
a hotel are satisfactory, its swimming-pool is
likely to be safe. Fresh-water lakes, dams and
slow-flowing rivers are likely to be infected
with bilharzias in countries where it is
present, namely throughout the tropics and
subtropics. Sea-water is usually safe from
infection unless it is close to sewage outlets
or highly populated areas where sanitary
conditions are poor.
Medical
Problems
All the previous forms
of discomfort can temporarily affect the healthy
traveler but can be prevented or overcome
easily. However, persons suffering from serious
health problems should be careful. Diabetics
should eat their flight meals at the same time
as meals at home; the elderly and anyone with
heart trouble should avoid smoking.
The most
cautious medical advice is that one full day of
recovery is needed for each five-hour time
change. Drink lots of water. The traveler should
try to go to bed as near as possible as to their
usual bedtime on the first night after arriving;
quick-acting laxative pills can allay
constipation until the bowels become accustomed
to a new daily routine. Above all, anyone who is
in doubt about his state of health should
consult a doctor before flying.
Disease
Information
Diseases
The information
below gives a brief description of a number of
health hazards and preventative measures which
can be taken to avoid contact with these
diseases when traveling overseas. Also listed is
advice on water quality (drinking, fresh &
sea-water). This information is only a guide and
therefore we would recommend personal medical
consultation prior to departure.
Cholera
The International Certificate of Vaccination
no longer has a space for details of cholera
vaccination. The World Health Organization
states that the vaccines currently available are
unreliable and of short duration and therefore
they do not recommend its use as a means of
protection. However, some countries still
require proof of vaccination if travelers are
arriving from infected areas, certificates are
valid from 6 days to 6 months.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a bacterial caused disease
which appears in two forms, in the throat or on
the skin. The latter is found most commonly in
dry, semi-desert regions where washing
facilities are scarce. Infection is spread by
direct skin contact with contaminated dust or by
inhaling infected droplets from an infected
person e.g. when they cough. Diphtheria of the
skin can be prevented by daily washing and by
keeping the skin clean and dry. Travelers,
especially to the tropics are at risk from all
forms of diphtheria and medical advice should be
sought before travel.
Hepatitis
A
Hepatitis A is the most common disease to
prevent through vaccination. It may be
contracted from contaminated food or water or
from direct contact with infected persons.
Travelers from developed countries are likely to
be prone to infection and should be vaccinated
if traveling to areas outside Australia, Canada,
western Europe, Japan, New Zealand and United
States. There are two forms of vaccination, one
giving immediate but short-lived protection, the
other given in three doses giving up to 10 years
protection.
Hepatitis
B
Hepatitis B is widespread in all of Africa,
much of South America, eastern Europe, the
eastern Mediterranean area, south-east Asia,
China and the Pacific Islands except Australia,
New Zealand and Japan. It is transmitted in a
number of ways, sexual transmission is a high
cause; as is transmission through the skin e.g.
blood transfusion, invasive medical or dental
treatment, injections, acupuncture or tattooing
etc. Vaccination is given in three doses and
will provide protection for 10 years.
Malaria
Malaria is a common and serious tropical
disease and is transmitted via mosquitoes biting
mostly between sunset and sunrise. In many
countries of Asia, the eastern Mediterranean
area and South America where there is malaria,
the main urban areas are free of transmission;
however this may not be true of surrounding
areas especially in Africa and India. While
there is generally much less risk of malaria at
altitudes greater than 1500 meters, the disease
can occur in hot climatic conditions at
altitudes up to 3000 meters. The risk of
infection may also vary according to the season.
All travelers should be told that protection
from biting mosquitoes is their first priority
and the use of nets and insect repellent
containing "deet" is advisable. The correct form
of vaccination should be sought and the
appropriate drugs should be taken exactly as
prescribed even after returning home. Travelers
should also be aware that no anti-malaria drug
regimen gives complete protection.
Polio
The Polio virus still occurs continually in
areas with low levels of hygiene and low
immunization programs. Most travelers will have
received immunization as a child however anyone
traveling to a developing country should never
assume that they are immune.
Rabies
Rabies is a virus infection of mammals that
can be transmitted to humans, usually as the
result of a bite from an infected animal. Rabies
occurs in most parts of the world, in Greenland,
Canada and North America, throughout the former
USSR states, China and New Territories of Hong
Kong, as well as the main tropical regions.
Travelers involved in animal expeditions, cave
exploring or walking or cycling through urban or
rural areas where rabies is endemic should
consider pre-exposure vaccinations against
rabies.
Tetanus
Tetanus is common in many developing
countries, especially in hot, moist tropical
areas. It is caused by the infection of wounds
with the tetanus bacteria. Travelers should
check that they have received an initial
immunization course and that they have had a
booster injection within the last 10 years.
Tetanus is rare in travelers taking conventional
holidays, but it is a greater risk for those
going on safari, trekking, climbing or exploring
holidays.
Typhoid
Typhoid is endemic worldwide. Transmission
occurs in areas where many of the local
population are carriers of the disease and
hygiene standards are poor. In areas with good
public health standards such as northern Europe,
United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
and Japan immunization is not necessary. Outside
these areas risk of infection depends on local
hygiene and lifestyle. Traveling or living rough
and living in rural areas increase the risk of
transmission; however staying in reputable
hotels even within these areas reduces this
risk.
Yellow
fever
Urban and jungle yellow fever only occur in
parts of Africa and South America. Urban yellow
fever is an epidemic disease transmitted to
humans via mosquitoes. Jungle yellow fever is
essentially transmitted among animals and
occasionally to humans via mosquitoes. The
international certificate of vaccination against
yellow fever is valid for 10 years, beginning 10
days after vaccination. Immunization in the
United Kingdom is undertaken only at recognized
yellow fever vaccination centers.
We hope these
tips have been useful. Contact us if you have
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