Tag Archives: travel

Is a Healthy Immune System the New Focus of Travel Health?

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The face of travel health has changed exponentially in the face of the current pandemic. While traditional medicine is still utilized as a treatment for travel-related concerns, recent times have seen holistic and integrative preventative measures and treatments become increasingly popular. This shift in focus has been noted both among conventional health care practitioners as well as the general public. Greater value is also being assigned to a healthy immune system as travel health becomes more prevention-based. While the body typically does a good job of keeping your immune system functioning well, the added stress associated with travel can put added pressure on it. Thankfully, there are a number of whole health solutions that can help a modern-day traveler remain healthy while journeying across the globe.

Optimal nutrition is vital

Many travelers fail to follow a healthy diet while traveling which leaves them at an increased risk of illness and injury.  The longer a trip is, the greater the impact of a diet lacking in vital nutrients will be.  Apart from affecting your immune system, a diet that lacks vitamins and minerals can also lead to lethargy, sporadic blood glucose levels, and compromised sleeping patterns.

Apart from following a diet that comprises of lean protein, ample amounts of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, travelers can also benefit from quality vitamin and mineral supplements. A good multivitamin can provide the body with a much-needed nutritional boost when it is increasingly difficult to follow a nutrient-dense diet. Travelers also need to steer clear of contaminated food and water at all costs to prevent traveler’s diarrhea from setting in. Stick to drinking bottled water and avoid buying food from outlets that appear to be less than hygienic.

Make an effort to exercise

Alongside nutrition and sleep, exercise is seen as one of the pillars of integrative medicine.  Physical activity is essential for travelers as it helps to reduce inflammation and regenerate your immune cells. It is also of immense benefit to long-haul travelers who are at a greater risk of contracting deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The World Health Organization recommends that a healthy adult engages in at least 75 minutes of rigorous activity or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week.  Moving around during a long flight will help keep DVT at bay while partaking in a physical activity you enjoy, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, will give both your immune system and energy levels a very welcome boost.

Sleep and immunity are closely related

Many individuals battle to get sufficient sound sleep while traveling – to the great detriment to their immune systems. Poor quality sleep and inadequate sleep have both been linked to an increased risk of illness. When traveling, extra effort may be required to ensure that you get the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Apart from boosting your natural immunity, sufficient sleep can also help your immune system fight off illness when you do get sick. If you are unable to get enough sound sleep at night due to your travel schedule, try to have one or two shorter naps during the day. Investing in a quality sleep mask can be especially beneficial if you struggle to sleep on planes or in new surroundings that may be more brightly lit than to what you are generally accustomed to.

The face of travel health has changed exponentially in recent times. A whole health approach to a healthy immune system is not only beneficial to travelers but to anyone wanting to lead an increasingly healthy life.

Join the conversation. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to follow NIWH on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates filled with useful whole health information for holistic nurses and health advocates.

Health Caution: Travel at Your Own Risk

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travel risks airport girl

Summer is one of the most heavily vacation trafficked periods of the year, when millions of people, “take to the skies and roads.”  Unfortunately, for 3-5% (yes, that is 3-5%) of the people who get off of airplanes, buses, trains, or auto transport will develop blood clots, often not detected until many weeks after their trip.

As American health care consumers, we know in today’s environment we must be pro-active and take control of our health through health information and prevention. Staying healthy while traveling is one very important preventative situation that we can all be more aware of to circumvent an unwanted health crisis.

Three years ago, the World Health Organization published the WRIGHT report (WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel) which identified the extent of the problem and who was at risk. The report identified the population most at risk are females, over 40 years of age, with a prior history of deep vein thrombosis.

Others identified  to be at risk include older travelers, obese travelers, pregnant women, anyone with varicose veins or a prior history of venous thrombosis, women taking birth control pills or estrogen, travelers with a history of a major operation, cancer, heart failure, highly trained athletes, and those with recent surgery or injury.

In spite of the evidence, however, there are still airlines in denial over the problem as many fear increased litigation. One major US airline has a published statement on its websites as a response to concerned travels that reads: “There is no epidemiological evidence that air travel causes blood clots.”

However, published experts would re-word that statement to read: “It would be more accurate to say, “Every credible scientific study of the subject has found that air travel [and other forms of confined travel] cause blood clots, including all of the most recent large sophisticated studies.”

What can you do to prevent blood clots?

1) Do not be immobile for more than 1 hour when traveling by air or in confined transportation

2) Dress in loose-fitting clothes and shoes. No socks or garments should have banded constriction.

3) Stay well hydrated, but avoid alcohol.

4) Exercise your legs and feet every chance you can (e.g. every 20 minutes).

5) Consider fitted, compression stockings – compression of 20 mm. Hg or more is best.

6) It is not a guarantee that taking aspirin to avoid thrombosis will work but as it prevents platelet clumping which causes clots, if you are at risk, it seems reasonable to take aspirin daily, starting a day before departure and continuing for a day after the flight terminates.

7) Sit in an aisle seat – you will have more room and it is easier to stand up and move around the plane, bus or train.

Hope this helps. For more information search for “blood clots and travel”. There is an enormous amount of information on the subject and if you are getting ready for that big trip, having this information should be part of your “packing”.

Join the conversation. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to follow NIWH on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates filled with useful health advocacy program information for holistic nurses and health coaches.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

Going On Vacation? Protect Your Health

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vacation

As winter fades into spring, a lot of people decide to take a vacation. Often referred to as spring break, this is a time when when millions of people “take to the skies and roads,” visiting friends and relatives or exploring new locations. It’s a time of fun and relaxation, but there’s a hidden danger you might not know about. Approximately 5% those who get off of airplanes, buses, trains or auto transport will develop blood clots, often not detected until many weeks after their trip.

As American health care consumers, we know in today’s environment that we must be pro-active and take control of our health through education and prevention. Staying healthy while traveling is one very important preventative situation that we can all be more aware of in order to circumvent an unwanted health crisis.

Three years ago, the World Health Organization published the WRIGHT report (WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel). It identified the extent of the problem and who was at risk. The report identified the population most at risk are females over 40 years of age with a prior history of deep vein thrombosis.

Others at risk include older travelers, obese travelers, pregnant women, anyone with varicose veins or a prior history of venous thrombosis, women taking birth control pills or estrogen, travelers with a history of a major operation, cancer, heart failure, highly trained athletes, and those with recent surgery or injury.

In spite of the evidence explored, however, there are still airlines in denial over the problem as many fear increased litigation. One major US airline has a published statement on its websites as a response to concerned travels that reads: “There is no epidemiological evidence that air travel causes blood clots.”

However, published experts would re-word that statement.  It would be more accurate to say that “Every credible scientific study of the subject has found that air travel [and other forms of confined travel] cause blood clots, including all of the most recent, large-scale, sophisticated studies.”

What can you do to prevent blood clots?

  1. Do not be immobile for more than 1 hour when traveling by air or in confined transportation
  2. Dress in loose-fitting clothes and shoes. No socks or garments should have banded constriction.
  3. Stay well hydrated, but avoid alcohol.
  4. Exercise your legs and feet every chance you can (e.g. every 20 minutes).
  5. Consider fitted compression stockings–compression of 20 mmHg or more is best.
  6. Take an aspirin. It is not a guarantee that taking aspirin will avoid, it does prevents platelet clumping, which causes clots. If you are at risk, it seems reasonable to take aspirin daily, starting a day before departure and continuing for a day after the flight terminates.
  7. Sit in an aisle seat. You will have more room, and it is easier to stand up and move around the plane, bus, or train.

For more information search for “blood clots and travel”. There is an enormous amount of information on the subject. If you are getting ready for that big trip, obtaining this information should be part of your “packing” process.

Join the conversation. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to follow NIWH on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates filled with useful health coach certification information.

Going On Vacation? Protect Your Health

Posted on by

With rising temperatures and summer break in full force, a lot of people decide to take a vacation. This is a time when when millions of people “take to the skies and roads,” visiting friends and relatives or exploring new locations. It’s a time of fun and relaxation, but there’s a hidden danger you might not know about. Unfortunately, 3-5% those who get off of airplanes, buses, trains or auto transport will develop blood clots, often not detected until many weeks after their trip.

As American health care consumers, we know in today’s environment that we must be pro-active and take control of our health through education and prevention. Staying healthy while traveling is one very important preventative situation that we can all be more aware of in order to circumvent an unwanted health crisis.

Three years ago, the World Health Organization published the WRIGHT report (WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel). It identified the extent of the problem and who was at risk. The report identified the population most at risk are females over 40 years of age with a prior history of deep vein thrombosis.

Others at risk include older travelers, obese travelers, pregnant women, anyone with varicose veins or a prior history of venous thrombosis, women taking birth control pills or estrogen, travelers with a history of a major operation, cancer, heart failure, highly trained athletes, and those with recent surgery or injury.

In spite of the evidence explored in our health coach certification, however, there are still airlines in denial over the problem as many fear increased litigation. One major US airline has a published statement on its websites as a response to concerned travels that reads: “There is no epidemiological evidence that air travel causes blood clots.”

However, published experts would re-word that statement.  It would be more accurate to say that “Every credible scientific study of the subject has found that air travel [and other forms of confined travel] cause blood clots, including all of the most recent, large-scale, sophisticated studies.”

What can you do to prevent blood clots?

  1. Do not be immobile for more than 1 hour when traveling by air or in confined transportation
  2. Dress in loose-fitting clothes and shoes. No socks or garments should have banded constriction.
  3. Stay well hydrated, but avoid alcohol.
  4. Exercise your legs and feet every chance you can (e.g. every 20 minutes).
  5. Consider fitted compression stockings–compression of 20 mmHg or more is best.
  6. Take an aspirin. It is not a guarantee that taking aspirin will avoid, it does prevents platelet clumping, which causes clots. If you are at risk, it seems reasonable to take aspirin daily, starting a day before departure and continuing for a day after the flight terminates.
  7. Sit in an aisle seat. You will have more room, and it is easier to stand up and move around the plane, bus, or train.

For more information search for “blood clots and travel”. There is an enormous amount of information on the subject. If you are getting ready for that big trip, obtaining this information in your health coach certification should be part of your “packing” process.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my hit radio show Living Above The Drama.