Let’s Travel

Three of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea.

When you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness.

There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you’re traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you’re flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.

Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you’re used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), but others aren’t affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you’re traveling to before you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.

The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn’t possible, a drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home.

The topic of diarrhea may seem gross, but it can be a serious problem. Traveler’s diarrhea, known as turista, often occurs when a foreign type of bacteria enters your digestive tract, usually when you eat contaminated food or water. The best way to prevent turista is to be very careful of the food you eat and the water you drink on the road.

Do you have your travel insurance?

Many people assume their travel insurance covers them while they are outside of their home country. But they do not realize that they need new or additional coverage to protect them against things like medical evacuations, sudden and unexpected emergencies, terrorism, etc.

Be proactive and research your insurance needs before you travel outside of your home country.

It is usually not safe to drink the water.

The water is safe to the locals who are used to it. This doesn’t matter if you’re a resident of Ukraine of the UK - to residents the water is safe, but not to travelers. All water contains different sets of microbes and mineral deposits, even in the US.

If you aren’t used to a country’s drinking water, then you may get sick just because it is different. Be safe, buy bottled water cheap at the supermarket.