When traveling long distance, our bodies are constantly under stress. The normal operating schedule of the body is upset when we cross a number of time zones. It is therefore inevitable that some travelers will fail ill or meet with accidents while they are abroad.
This is some carefully picked tips to help you in your pre – holiday planning so that you could take the necessary precautions to ensure that your trip is a success instead ao a nightmare.
Travel checklist
- First Aid Kit
1. Antiseptic Cream / Lotion
2. Paracetamol / Aspirin
3. Medicated Plasters / Dressings
4. Gauze
5. Bandages
6. Analgesic Balm or Pain Killer Rubs
7. Scissors
8. Safety Pins
9. Clinical Thermometer
10. Normal Saline
11. Antacids
- Additional Essential Items
1. Antacid for indigestion
2. Lozenges for dry throat
3. Insect repellent
4. Water purification tablets
5. Spare spectacles / Contact Lens
6. Antihistamine tablets
7. Oral dehydration salts
8. Vaginal Thrush Treatment
9. Sanitary pads / tampons
10. Ant malarial where necessary
11. Supply of any regular medication(s)
12. Tweezers
13. Ear plugs
14. Sunscreen
15. Lip Balm
16. Contact Lens Solution
17. Anti-itch cream
18. Calamine lotion
19. Athlete’s foot powder
20. Condoms
21. contraceptive pills
22. mild laxative
23. sleeping pills
24. thermometer
• Travel bugs
1. Altitude Sickness
You are more likely to encounter altitude sickness when you are traveling at the height of 2500 or more. Altitude sickness arises when your body ascended too fast without allowing it to accommodate for lower oxygen levels. The usual symptoms are headache, nauseous, irregular breathing and it may also lead to a more severe condition such as difficulties in breathing, unusual behavior, unsteadiness or even coma.
In order to avoid altitude sickness, it is best to ascend slowly, rest, take plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol, eat light meals and do not smoke.
2. Dehydration
Ii is important to maintain an adequate fluid intake. Ensure that you always have enough water on hand.
3. Ear Pain
Changes in air pressure during ascending and descending often disturb the pressure between the middle and outer ear. This solution is called “ear propping”. To relieve the pressure, you are encouraged to chew, yawn, suck some sweets, swallow your saliva or just pinch your nose and breathe sharply but you need to remember to take them at least half an hour before takeoff and landing.
4. Jet Lag
This is due to the readjustment that your body has to make after you traveled across a time zone.
5. Travelers Diarrhea
This is a common illness that bugs a traveler. Symptoms are usually cased by unaccustomed food and drink, change in environment, change in the normal bacteria flora in the bowels and sometimes viral infection. The general rule to preventing this illness is “boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it”.
6. Motion Sickness
A person suffers from motion sickness when the brains receives too many and mixed movement signals from the eyes and the organs of balance in the ears. Symptoms include dizziness, profuse cold sweat, pallor, headache, nausea and los of appietite.
You can prevent motion sickness by taking relevant medication like Dramamine Tablet, about 30 minutes before departure time only if you are not diving. Also try to eat lightly, avoid alcohol, look forward or at a distant stationary object throughout the trip, sleep and avoid reading, stress and smoking.
