Do you know how to make a health itinerary? There are a few things even the healthiest traveler should do before any trip. Health Expert Leslie Michelson, who is the chief executive officer of Michelson on Medicine and chairman and chief executive of Private Health Management, gives you a step-by-step guide for how to put together your health itinerary.
Plane tickets? Check. Photo ID? Check. Bathing suit? Check. Weather report? Check. Names of places to see and restaurants to try? Check. Contact list for your doctors at home? Hmmm.
Planning ahead is often the key to a successful trip, but even experienced travelers frequently neglect the most important consideration of all: their health. When you leave home, even if it’s a short business trip, the availability and quality of health care at your destination can be uncertain. Taking the time to prepare a health itinerary before you go can be crucial to ensuring a safe, worry-free trip.
1. Accurate information is key
Accidents and bad food reactions are just two of the possible challenges you might face while traveling. To ensure that you obtain the best care no matter the situation, it is important that those who treat you can quickly determine any medical conditions you might have and how to reach those who can make informed decisions about your care.
Carry a list of all the medications you are taking (including dosage and frequency), any medical conditions, allergies and your primary doctor’s contact information in your wallet. Be aware that drug names change from country to country, so be armed with those translations in the event you need a refill. Many of the “translations” are available on the web at sites like Drugs.com or you can ask your doctor.
If possible, have the list laminated. Better still, arrange for your key medical data to be converted to a digital file and carry it with you on a thumb drive.
2. Have the Proper Supplies
Carry at least a 3-day extra supply of your medications in case you are delayed at your destination for more than 24 hours or over a weekend.
Whether traveling by train, plane or boat, you will be exposed to an array of unfamiliar bacteria, either in the air you breathe or the food you eat. Ask your doctor for a prescription for broad-spectrum antibiotics to bring with you just in case. Tales of lost suitcases are common, so always pack medicines in a carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage. While the loss of clothing and shoes may compromise your style, the loss of medications can be a threat to your life.
