Traveling Out of the Country?

If your approaching Spring Break plans include traveling out of the country, NOW is the time to check in with your doctor to see whether or not you need any special vaccines or preventative medications before your trip. Immunizations take at least a few weeks to "kick in" and protect you, so start thinking about these shots at least a month (or preferably, two months) in advance of your trip. Additionally, there are some medications, such as those for prevention of malaria, that you need to start taking a couple weeks before your trip in order to be effective.

A great resource for medical travel planning can be found through the Center for Disease Control (CDC) at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/. Simply enter in your planned destinations, and a list of recommended vaccines as well as a plethora of extra information is readily available.

For example, let's take Mexico (think sunshine, beaches and...mosquitoes?) Of course, your routine vaccinations such as measles, tetanus and polio should be current. In addition, both Hepatitis A & B vaccines are recommended, as well as the typhoid vaccine- especially if you are visiting smaller or more rural areas. Rabies vaccine is only recommended for travelers who plan to be very involved with wild or stray animals, such as researchers, vets, or "high adventure" seekers. Besides the shots, travelers need to consider medications to prevent malaria, a serious blood-borne illness that is transmitted by mosquitoes. While not all regions of Mexico are at risk for malaria, people touring Chiapas, Oaxaca, Nayarit, and Sinoloa will need to discuss anti-malaria drugs with their doctors.

BOTTOM LINE: When your travel plans extend beyond our country's borders, check with your family doctor a couple months in ADVANCE of your trip to see if you need updated or additional immunizations or preventative medications.

Afraid to Fly?

Do you have travel plans for the holidays? Any fear of flying? If you do, you are not alone. Many people, especially since 9/11, are very nervous flyers. I know that I never had any issues about flying until I became a mother, at which point suddenly I was emotionally convinced I would die in a plane crash and orphan my child (despite the logical part of my brain telling me it's far more dangerous to drive on Saturday nights.)

So, what can you do? Well, there are many choices, but suffering in silence should not be one of them. First off, arm yourself with the facts that you are over thirty times more likely to have a fatal car accident than die in a plane crash. Most of the fear is not rational, however, so if the facts don't calm you, keep looking.

Plan ahead- create a diversion packet for yourself with an engaging book, music, or DVD. Get noise-canceling headphones (or at least good earplugs). It's amazing how when you can close your eyes and not hear the plane noises, you can relax much more easily.

Avoid stimulants like caffeine and decongestants- no need to ramp up your heart rate before you even get on the plane!

If you have the luxury of time before you travel, consider biofeedback, hypnosis, or meditation training.

I mentioned yesterday that you might want to talk with your doctor. What can she offer? We have several choices, actually. For long flights, I will frequently prescribe a "sleeping pill" such as Ambien or Lunesta. Some patients do very well with medicines that simply control your heart rate, such as metoprolol (a beta-blocker). Others with more intense anxiety respond well to a rapid and short acting sedative such as Xanax.

Bottom Line: Fear of flying is common- plan ahead and talk to your doctor if you would like to consider a medication to lesson your stress.

Does Your Holiday Travel Include a Flight?

As the holidays are upon us and travel plans are ramping up, I thought I’d share some health-related flying tips. Since flu season is under way, I’d be remiss not to start with the basic advice that you should NOT fly if you have a fever or a productive cough (or other flu symptoms such as headache, sore throat, and body aches.) That being said, there are many times that you may need to fly when you have mild cold or allergy symptoms, and there are a few tricks that may be helpful.

The one time that I actually recommend over-the-counter nose sprays (like Afrin) is if you have a stuffy head/nose/ears and need to fly. Make sure to put it in ziplock bag to take it through security, but then use it when you are seated on the plane to reduce ear discomfort upon takeoff. Gum, mints or any beverage will help clear your ears as well- whatever helps you to swallow repeatedly.

I also suggest sucking on the zinc lozenges- any variety- I happen to like the ones combined with vitamin C. Zinc oral dissolvable products have been shown to reduce acquisition of respiratory viruses. Unfortunately, simply taking a zinc supplement that you swallow has not been shown to provide equal benefit.

If you have no contraindication to taking aspirin, a baby aspirin taken the day of your flight will reduce your risk for blood clots that can occur with prolonged sitting. Try to get up every hour or two and walk to the bathroom- that will help, too.

Nervous about flying? Talk to your doctor about a short-acting mild sedative or sleep aid (if the flight is long enough.) No need for embarrassment, as fear of flying is very common. I’d estimate I get this request close to once per week (and much more often this time of year!)

Should you wear a mask? I suppose if either YOU have a cough or your seatmate does, that is reasonable.

BOTTOM LINE: If your travel plans include flying, create your own "flying first aid" kit to take with you!

Travel First Aid Kit Recipe

What do doctors pack when they travel with their families? If you are heading out for Spring Break, you might wonder what first aid supplies you should pack. There are really only a handful of supplies that I routinely take on trips. Truthfully, if we are traveling in the United States, I often head out with the bare minimum, because I know a pharmacy or grocery store will be available. However, especially if I am chaperoning a group of kids, I always carry the following supplies:
1. Ibuprofen- for headaches, muscle aches, fevers or menstrual cramps.
2. Tylenol- to supplement the ibuprofen if the ache or fever is severe.
3. Antacid tablets (TUMS or Rolaids)- still the fastest relief from heartburn/stomach acid.
4. Hydrocortisone cream (steroid such as Cortaid)- for anything that itches (bug bites, allergic skin reactions.)
5. Triple antibiotic cream- for cuts/scrapes (after washing with water.)
6. Bandaids- the GOOD kind that really stick, with specifics for knuckles, knees, and most commonly, HEELS (for those blisters!)
7. Benadryl tablets- for an intense allergic reaction to food, stings, etc; also may be used to help nausea.
8. ACE wrap- handy to limit swelling of a sprained ankle, knee or wrist.
9. Aspirin- honestly, I only keep this in case an adult has symptoms of a possible heart attack.
BOTTOM LINE: These few basic first aid supplies should get you through 99% of the illnesses and injuries that crop up on your trips, and this entire first aid kit should take up very little room in your luggage. Remember the creams count as "liquids" so slip them into your airline-specified ziplock baggie!

Too Scared to FLY?

Do you have travel plans for the holidays? Any fear of flying? If you do, you are not alone. Many people, especially since 9/11, are very nervous flyers. I know that I never had any issues about flying until I became a mother, at which point suddenly I was emotionally convinced I would die in a plane crash and orphan my child (despite my brain telling me the statistics say otherwise.)

So, what can you do? Well, there are many choices, but suffering in silence should not be one of them. First off, arm yourself with the facts that you are over thirty times more likely to have a fatal car accident than die in a plane crash. Most of the fear is not rational, however, so if the facts don't calm you, keep looking.

Plan ahead- create a diversion packet for yourself with an engaging book, music, or DVD. Get noise-canceling headphones (or at least good earplugs). It's amazing how when you can close your eyes and not hear the plane noises, you can relax much more easily.

Avoid stimulants like caffeine and decongestants- no need to ramp up your heart rate before you even get on the plane!

If you have the luxury of time before you travel, consider biofeedback, hypnosis, or meditation training.

I mentioned yesterday that you might want to talk with your doctor. What can she offer? We have several choices, actually. For long flights, I will frequently prescribe a "sleeping pill" such as Ambien or Lunesta. Some patients do very well with medicines that simply control your heart rate, such as metoprolol (a beta-blocker). Others with more intense anxiety respond well to a rapid and short acting sedative such as Xanax.

Bottom Line: Fear of flying is common- plan ahead and talk to your doctor if you would like to consider a medication to lesson your stress.

Flying Somewhere this Holiday?

As the holidays are upon us and travel plans are ramping up, I thought I’d share some health-related flying tips. With all the emphasis on flu these days, I’d be remiss not to start with the basic advice that you should NOT fly if you have a fever or a productive cough (or other flu symptoms such as headache, sore throat, and body aches.) That being said, there are many times that you may need to fly when you have mild cold or allergy symptoms, and there are a few tricks that may be helpful.

The one time that I actually recommend OTC products such as nose sprays like Afrin is if you have a stuffy head/nose/ears and need to fly. Make sure to put it in ziplock bag for security, but then use it when you are seated on the plane to reduce ear discomfort upon takeoff. Gum, mints or any beverage will help clear your ears as well.

I also suggest sucking on the zinc lozenges- any variety- I happen to like the ones combined with vitamin C. Zinc oral dissolvable products have been shown to reduce acquisition of respiratory viruses. Unfortunately, simply taking a zinc supplement that you swallow has not been shown to provide equal benefit.

If you have no contraindication to taking aspirin, a baby aspirin taken the day of your flight will reduce your risk for blood clots that can occur with prolonged sitting. Try to get up every hour or two and walk to the bathroom- that will help, too.
Nervous about flying? Talk to your doctor about a short-acting mild sedative or sleep aid (if the flight is long enough.) No need for embarrassment, as fear of flying is very common. I’d estimate I get this request close to once per week (and more often this time of year!)

Should you wear a mask? I suppose if either YOU have a cough or your seatmate does, that is reasonable.

BOTTOM LINE: If your travel plans include flying, create your own "flying first aid" kit to take with you!