Consider these 6 things to do before you travel to ensure a healthy trip
Asthma flare-ups can occur anywhere. Use these precautions from Courtney Jackson Blair, MD, of Allergy and Asthma Associates, P.C., of McLean and Sterling, Virginia, before going on a trip to prepare yourself in case one happens.
Talk to your doctor, especially if you have had recent trouble with worsening asthma. This will help give you a plan. Rarely, a trip may need to be delayed or canceled due to asthma symptoms.
Research your lodgings carefully. Choose smoke-free hotels. It is also best to stay away from pet-friendly hotels if pet dander is a trigger. Avoid hotels whose rooms are reviewed as "musty," as it could mean mold, poor ventilation, or faulty climate control.
Pack your own dust mite covers. Dust mite allergy can be a trigger, so travel with your own pillow covers.
Get a flu shot. In addition, talk to your doctor about the pneumonia vaccination. It can help lower the risk of pneumonia as well as sinus and/or inner ear infections. People with asthma are more susceptible to these maladies.
Know the best way to get in touch with your doctor. Can you contact your doctor via an online patient portal or email? It may come in handy for non-urgent questions.
Do some research. Know where the hospitals and clinics are and how to get there. Assemble a list of doctors where you are visiting and a list of your medications (the name-brand and generic equivalents), your medical conditions in the official language of the country you are visiting, and a list of emergency contacts/insurance documents.
Bring snacks and water
When traveling, be prepared for hunger, thirst and blood sugar crashes. If there are long stretches of road between meals, it’s helpful to have food and water on hand. Waiting to find a restaurant can be hard on your body and the fatigue of a chronic condition is difficult enough without adding extra fatigue due to hunger, thirst or a blood sugar crash.
Asthma flare-ups can occur anywhere. Use these precautions from Courtney Jackson Blair, MD, of Allergy and Asthma Associates, P.C., of McLean and Sterling, Virginia, before going on a trip to prepare yourself in case one happens.
Talk to your doctor, especially if you have had recent trouble with worsening asthma. This will help give you a plan. Rarely, a trip may need to be delayed or canceled due to asthma symptoms.
Research your lodgings carefully. Choose smoke-free hotels. It is also best to stay away from pet-friendly hotels if pet dander is a trigger. Avoid hotels whose rooms are reviewed as "musty," as it could mean mold, poor ventilation, or faulty climate control.
Pack your own dust mite covers. Dust mite allergy can be a trigger, so travel with your own pillow covers.
Get a flu shot. In addition, talk to your doctor about the pneumonia vaccination. It can help lower the risk of pneumonia as well as sinus and/or inner ear infections. People with asthma are more susceptible to these maladies.
Know the best way to get in touch with your doctor. Can you contact your doctor via an online patient portal or email? It may come in handy for non-urgent questions.
Do some research. Know where the hospitals and clinics are and how to get there. Assemble a list of doctors where you are visiting and a list of your medications (the name-brand and generic equivalents), your medical conditions in the official language of the country you are visiting, and a list of emergency contacts/insurance documents.
Check one more thing
Traveling outside the US? If you have a vision or dental plan with us, be sure to contact our international travel support. Blue View Vision's International Travel Solution offers help getting replacement glasses while traveling abroad (call 1-513-765-2870 for 24/7 support). To help you find a dentist in foreign countries, call the number on the back of your ID card.
