Dr. Deb

We just returned from a weekend trip at The Wilds in the middle of nowhere Ohio. (It’s actually not far from Columbus) It is an outdoor safari-conservation center and it was awesome! We all loved seeing the animals up close in our open-air vehicle and it certainly rivaled the African safari that my husband and I went on years ago (except this time the animals were actually closer!) The 100 plus heat was not so awesome and we soon realized that not having access to water in high heat came with it’s own price. We were weak and dehydrated very quickly. This vacation hazard was easily remedied but many are not.

Vacations are riddled with hazards, many of them hidden so here are

Dr Deb’s Vacation Hazard Helper

Keep Cool & Wet

700 people die every year from heat stroke. Heat stroke and other heat related illness are very common on vacation because many people are not used to spending long lengths of time outdoors and may become more easily dehydrated. Many people actually limit fluid intake as tourist attractions charge so much for bottled water or they may be worried about or have limited bathroom access. My husband often works the Cincinnati Reds games treating fans in the stands and the most common patient that is brought to first aid is someone suffering from heat illness.

Bring a water bottle along on vacation and keep everyone hydrated.  In 100-degree temps you need a quart of water per hour and even more if you are physically active so drink up! Pack wipes that are kept in a cooler or fridge to cool down. (They also help you stay clean preventing other vacation illness)

Wear cotton to keep cool and bring a little fan or water spray bottle. Avoid the outdoors or strenuous activity from noon until 4 or 5.

If you see fever, inability to sweat, fainting or irritability then you need to call 911, as these are signs of heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Put ice packs in the arm pits and groin to help cool down until emergency help arrives.

Air travel is also very drying to the body as the air inside a plane cabin may have only 5 percent humidity.  Drinks lots of fluid and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Normal saline mist will keep nasal passages moist.

Pump it UP

Blood clots or Deep-vein thrombosis (DVTs) are doubled to tripled with long travel especially over 4 hours. The blood pools, most commonly in your legs, forming a clot. If this clot travels to lungs you get a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can cause death.

The risk of clot continues after you complete travel especially in the first week but may remain elevated for 2 months after travel.

Risk factors include recent surgery, women on birth control pills, age over 40, family history of clots and obesity.

Prevent Blood clots by exercising your legs or pumping the blood back while you are traveling. This can mean getting up and stretching frequently and moving your legs while sitting.  Compressions stockings are a great idea for flights over 8 hours or anyone with risk factors.

Do not wear tight clothes and stay hydrated. If you have risk factors, you may want to talk to your doctor about medication to prevent clots.

Survey the Surroundings

Many times people get the vacation mentality and forget about general safety of the surroundings. Alcohol limits ability to think straight and make wise choices so make your assessment before you drink and don’t party to excess.

Swim in safe places.  Never dive into water without the depth being known. Natural water may have contamination or sharp objects.  Educate yourself about tide pools.

If you have young children, look for uncovered outlets, exposed wires, sharp table edges and balconies. Loose rugs are a hazard for all, but especially the elderly.

Bed bugs are a lot more common so keep luggage off of the floor and look in the seams of the mattress so you don’t bring any extra “friends” home.

Armor On

Always bring your basic protections such as Bug repellent and sunscreen and use appropriately.  If you are camping in the wilderness be alert for tics and Lyme disease. You may want to use extra repellent spray permethrin on your clothes and sleeping bag and wear long sleeves and pants.

Have Vaccinations and tetanus shots up to date before leaving

Bring a Travel kit with antibiotics, allergy tablets, first aid supplies, and hand sanitizers, antidiarrheal medicine such as pepto bismal and your prescription medications in their original package. People need to know you have the medication legally and if you have pills in a mislabeled bottle there could be mistakes in your treatment if you have a medical complication.

Bring extra contacts or glasses

Zip lock gallon bags are great to store wet clothes or a sudden vomit in the car. (Found that out the hard way..My son had multiple episodes of car vomiting during road constructionnot pretty)

Check for Insurance coverage before you go.

You can get help at iamat.org, run by a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping sick travelers (free registration required).

Take Good to Prevent Bad

The most common travel related illness when traveling out of the country is gastrointestinal.

Use only bottled water, bring a water purifier and never use ice.

Eat or take probiotic supplements before you leave to prevent diarrhea.

Never eat undercooked meat, buy from street vendors or eat fruit that you can’t peel. Much of the dairy and eggs out of the country are unpasteurized which might be OK for the locals but your body would be susceptible to infection from it so avoid it.

Motion sickness is also very common. Eat meat, according to a Pennsylvania State University study to prevent nausea. Stay hydrated and eat small frequent meals.

Travel bands can also help with seasickness

Sit as close to the front of the car as possible, and don’t read a book or do computer work. Keep your eyes on the horizon to prevent motion sickness.

Chew gum on flight take off to prevent ears from popping and ear pain especially in children.

Finally the most important part of vacation is to recharge. Many people like thrills but all need to schedule REST time. Drink lots of water and always wash your hands so that you returned healthy and refreshed!

Happy Travels!

Dr. Deb