Medical attention: The health concerns travellers should be aware of
Travelling is one of the greatest joys of life, an activity that allows you to get out of your comfort zone and learn new things, all while relaxing and taking a break from your usual routine and daily schedule. It stimulates your brain and has the potential to improve both cognitive function and mental health. You’re also more likely to get more exercise since you’ll move around more, do sightseeing, visit landmarks, and perhaps even go on a hike. And while there aren’t many drawbacks that come with travelling, one of the most noteworthy is the possibility of becoming ill during your trip. In most cases, any disease you come down with will be self-limiting, and you’ll begin to feel much better in a day or two.
But in some cases, your condition could become more serious and require extensive treatment and hospitalisation. Even if you don’t become incredibly ill, you will most likely not want to lose several days of your trip feeling miserable. As such, the best thing you can do is become informed about the most likely health concerns you could face during your next vacation.
Do your research
The illnesses you should be aware of will vary depending on where you travel. The best thing you can do in order to remain prepared is to do your research before you leave and take all the necessary precautions. Make sure the information you get is updated since, apart from the fact some diseases are more common in certain regions than others in general, there might be additional concerns to take into account. For instance, the area you’re visiting could be badly affected by the flu at the time of your arrival. Recent outbreaks of any illness are crucial to know about since they might not be contained very well, and the risk of becoming infected becomes exponentially higher.
Get the necessary immunisations before you leave as well. Don’t underestimate their importance and think there’s no reason to get them because you’ll only be there for a week or two. Make sure to talk to your doctor beforehand since some vaccines must be administered a few weeks or even months before you leave to provide optimal protection. Make sure to obtain an international health certificate that can serve as proof of your immunisations. Depending on your insurance policies, destination, and the activities you planned, you should also consider travel insurance.
Food poisoning
Even mild cases of food poisoning can be very nasty and painful, so you should definitely try to avoid them at all costs. Several pathogens can cause foodborne illnesses, including salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, and campylobacter. Symptoms differ depending on the bacteria and the patients themselves, but the most common signs that something is wrong include cramps and nausea, with fever and body aches sometimes occurring as well.
If you believe you suffered from food poisoning due to the carelessness of a restaurant staff or a specific vendor, you can demand compensation by contacting https://www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk/. Their expert solicitors can ensure that you get the maximum amount of compensation depending on your case so that you can make a full recovery. Some doctors also believe that getting a hepatitis A vaccine before you travel is an essential measure of prevention that will keep you safe if you end up dealing with contaminated food or water. Bring hand sanitiser and water purification tablets just to be sure, and remember to wash your hands regularly. If you need to brush your teeth in the aeroplane bathroom, make sure to get bottled water beforehand.
Insomnia
Sleepless nights will leave you drained and grumpy, but insomnia is common among travellers. Time zone differences, habit changes, jet lag, and changes in your environment can all contribute to making it hard for you to fall and stay asleep. If you’re prone to insomnia in your daily life as well, travelling can exacerbate the condition. In some cases, you might notice that while you can rest, the quality of the sleep you’re getting is rather poor. If you become chronically sleep deprived, the problems can persist long after you’ve returned home from holiday.
To get ready, make sure you get plenty of sleep in the days leading up to the trip. Try to establish a routine in which the hours when you go to bed and the time at which you wake up remain more or less consistent every day. Good sleep hygiene practices are typically enough to banish insomnia associated with travelling, so try to mimic your home sleep environment as much as possible, and avoid caffeine and spending too much time on your smartphone close to bedtime since it can mess up with your circadian rhythm.
Lyme disease
The cause of Lyme disease is a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by ticks. Not all species carry the disease, and the immature specimens, called nymphs, are the ones most likely to act as vectors for Lyme. Symptoms typically begin between three days to a month after a bite and include a specific bull’s -eye rash, joint stiffness, tiredness, muscle aches and pains, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and closed shoes in areas that are known to carry large tick populations and using insect repellent can keep you safe. If you happen to find a tick on yourself or your clothes, remove it right away with a pair of tweezers.
Skin damage
Depending on what the weather is like where you’re travelling, your skin can be affected in different ways. Sunburn is a problem throughout the entire year, and while commonly associated with the summer months and spending several hours at the beach, it can occur in the mountains as well. The reason is that UV radiation is more intense in the alpine regions than at sea level. Frostbite is also a risk if you’re travelling to a cold area, with severe cases leading to permanent damage to body tissue, especially the fingers, toes, ears and nose.
Travelling is an excellent opportunity to learn new things and spend quality time away from daily chores, but remember that it is just as important as ever to guard your safety and protect your health at all times.
