Christmas is now almost a forgotten memory as we approach the end of
January. A long five-week month after Christmas has left many of us
skint and the struggle to stick to our New Year’s resolutions will
simply be adding to the misery.
However, as payday is upon the majority of the nation this week,
Brits can now switch their attentions to jetting off to warmer climates.
In fact, the UK’s leading travel association, Abta, has already noted a
substantially high number of bookings already for summer holidays, with
some tour operators experiences a sales rise of more than 10% annually.
With that in mind, perhaps it is time to
think about your health and wellbeing whilst on holiday, especially when
considering that a past survey suggested that an alarming 80% of us are
not prepared to deal with minor medical problems in the home, never
mind when out and about within a foreign country.
If you are visiting a tropical region for example, there are a number
of prescription and over-the-counter products to consider. The NHS fit for travel website
can provide more information about the risks in particular countries,
but in terms of tropical regions, malaria is the obvious risk and is
still a massive killer.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2010, there were
approximately 219 million malaria cases (with an uncertainty range of
154 million to 289 million) and an estimated 660,000 malaria deaths
(with an uncertainty range of 490,000 to 836,000).
Antimalarials
Therefore, an antimalarial is must, with Doxycycline, Malarone and Paludrine all different medications for malaria prevention. Malarone
can also be used for the treatment of malaria, should you contract the
disease. All three are prescription-online medicines but you can also
boost your protection with Jungle Formula Maximum pump spray, which
effectively repels mosquitoes, midges and other biting insects for up to
10 hours per application. You must remember to order your prescriptions
well in advance of your trip.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines such as Loratadine are commonly taken to ease the
symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Loratadine is useful
for insect bites, easing the itching associated with them, and avoiding
bites in tropical places is absolutely imperative due to the risk of
malaria.
Asthma Inhalers
The last thing you want is to suffer an asthma attack on holiday and
be without your inhaler. Order repeat prescriptions well in advance and
make sure you have a good supply of blue reliever and brown preventer
inhalers.
Contraception
For women who have been prescribed a daily contraceptive pill such as Dianette
or Yasmin, it is important that you make sure you have a sufficient
supply of your medication to last before, during and after your holiday,
until you can obtain some more. Contraceptive pills alone will not
provide protection against sexually transmitted infection and with a
tendency for Brits to have a carefree attitude to sex when on holiday,
condoms are essential to pack for your getaway.
Travel sickness
If you or any of your travelling group suffer from travel sickness
then make sure you have necessary treatment to hand. Travel sickness is
caused by repeated unusual movements, usually when travelling by boat,
car, plane or train, and is especially common in young children and
women. Kwells and Avomine tablets are widely used for the prevention and
relief of travel sickness.
Other items
Sunblock cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) is a must to
minimise the risk of sunburn. Inbuprofen, Paracetamol, or other pain killers,
are also handy should you require them during your holiday. You should
also considering packing a first aid kit armed with assorted plasters,
dressings, latex gloves, tape, scissors and other essentials.
No comments:
Post a Comment