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General Travel Information
Pointers for staying healthy while traveling
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Ensure sufficient rest. Travel can be tiring and stressful.
A tired, stressed-out person doesn't see or enjoy as much.
Be reasonable about your activities when traveling and
don't try to do too much in any one day. If you are tired,
allow yourself to get some rest.
When driving across country, or flying long distances,
keep in mind that you are crossing time zones, and there
may be sufficient reason for being tired. When you've
been traveling two hours the clocks may only record one.
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Get some exercise. If you are spending a long time sitting
in one place on a bus, plane or in a car you should move
around en route to keep your muscles in tune and avoid
stiff joints and swelling.
If you are traveling by car, stop the car every once in
a while. Walking around for a while could help reduce
the swelling that occurs when you sit still for a long
time.
On planes, trains and buses, try to walk up and down the
aisles fairly often. If you reserve an aisle seat you
won't have to disturb anyone. You can also exercise your
calf muscles by standing up and rising on your toes.
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It's important for older men not to delay emptying their
bladder, and to do so every two hours. If the bladder
is not emptied regularly, the prostrate gland can become
clogged.
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When traveling long distances, eat lightly and stay away
from rich or spicy foods. On long distance flights, drink
plenty of fluids but limit alcohol intake to minimize
jet lag.
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Be careful about water and ice when traveling abroad.
Outside of North America, Northern Europe, Japan, and
Australia and New Zealand, the tap water may not be safe
for drinking and is best avoided. Contaminated water could
cause serious illnesses such as typhoid, hepatitis, intestinal
parasites and dysentery as well as the more common "tourist"
diarrhea.
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Avoiding certain foods is also wise under the same circumstances.
These foods that can cause problems include underdone
meats or steak tartare, unpasteurized milk or milk products,
egg products such as mayonnaise and custard, salads, shellfish
and unpeeled fruit.
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In the tropics, use lots of insect repellent. It's important
to keep away mosquitoes, which can spread malaria, yellow
fever and encephalitis, as well as ticks, mites, fleas
and biting flies which may carry other exotic diseases.
Insect repellent should be applied over clothing as well
as skin.
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Take care in the sun. To avoid sunburn and the potential
risk of skin cancer, apply sun screen lotions liberally.
Suns screen lotions with an SP (sun protection) factor
of 15 are recommended. It's also a good idea to stay out
of the sun during the hottest part of the day to avoid
heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
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Swim only where it is safe to do so. Rivers and lakes
in many parts of the world may be polluted or contain
parasites such as those that cause schistosomiasis, also
known as river blindness.
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Review your health insurance requirements. Health care
coverage beyond that provided by provincial health care
plans may be required for traveling to other locations
where the cost of medical care is significantly higher
than in Canada (particularly the U.S.). Travel health
insurance is now offered by a number of organizations,
so it is worth shopping around.
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Consider investing in a Medic Alert bracelet. In an emergency
this internationally-recognized bracelet provides medical
personnel with information about the bearer's medical
condition, drug allergies, and current medication information,
and gives access to your medical history via a 24-hour
telephone hotline. Contact 1-800-668-1507.
If you become a member of the International Association for
Medical Assistance to Travelers you are entitled to a worldwide
directory of qualified English-speaking physicians who work
on an agreed fixed fee schedule and are on 24-hour call. Membership
is free but donations are requested.
Write:
40 Regal Rd
Guelph, Ont N1K 1B5
or call 1-519-836-0102
Web site: International Medical Assistance to Travelers (www.sentex.net)
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