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With some questionable health advice being posted by your friends on Facebook, politicians arguing about the state of the American healthcare system and a new medical study being summarized in just a sentence or two on TV---that seems to contradict the study you heard summarized yesterday---it can be overwhelming to navigate the ever-changing landscape of health news.

To Your Health: Staying Well While You Travel

Summer break has arrived! As the old saying goes, when packing for vacation, bring half the clothes and twice the money. While overpacking or going into debt will definitely put a damper on happy travels, getting sick during those hard-earned vacation days can be a nightmare. 

Here are some tips for staying healthy whether you are traveling by air or sea, domestically or abroad.

Cedars-Sinai Travel Medicine reminds vacationers to prepare before they leave by getting enough sleep and making sure they are well hydrated. Stay hydrated when you get to your destination, but avoid tap water. Even within the United States, travelers become ill simply because the pathogens in the water at their destination are different from their local water and foreign to their immune systems.

A study in The Journal of Environmental Health Research found extremely low airplane cabin humidity dries out the mucus in our noses and throats which creates a perfect environment for cold and flu germs to infect us. Using nasal mist while flying is effective in combatting this.

Most seasickness is attributed to a disconnect between your senses and your physical movement. Ask your doctor about what medication you can take to counteract this and take it before you set sail. If you feel nausea coming on, try to get some fresh air and keep your eyes on the horizon.

If you are leaving the country, look at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Traveller’s Health site. You can search by country and mode of travel to get up to date information about travel health notices, recommended vaccines and suggestions for staying healthy and safe.

Resources:
https://blog.cedars-sinai.edu/8-expert-tips-to-avoid-getting-sick-when-you-travel/
https://www.smartertravel.com/avoiding-airplane-cold-dont-get-sick-flying/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/easy-ways-to-keep-from-getting-seasick.aspx
 

Dr. Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs is an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, Middle & Secondary Education. She writes for special publications of The Southeast Missourian and is a certified Community Health Worker.
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