From ancient ruins to famous cities and from natural wonders to diverse cultures – there are so many amazing experiences to be had around the globe.
While traveling abroad certainly offers a wealth of opportunities, there are certain dangers that do need to be taken into consideration before packing up your bags and hopping on a red-eye flight to some remote location. Namely, these dangers involve your health.
While other countries offer unique cultures and interesting sites and attractions, there something else that they have that aren’t exactly desirable: different germs. That means that if your immune system isn’t use to those germs, you could run the risk of getting seriously ill, which can turn your trip into a nightmare instead of a dream experience.
Before you travel abroad, it’s important that you take every effort to ensure your health will remain in tip-top shape. Whether you’re a jetsetter or a bed and breakfast type of traveler, here are some tips to keep you healthy when you’re traveling internationally.
Check in with your Doctor
Before you check into a hotel, check in with your doctor. It’s always a good idea to have a routine physical performed before you travel abroad. You’ll get to know your current health status; plus, you’ll be able to get some important vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all international travelers, no matter where they are traveling to, be current with routine vaccines. These vaccines include everything from Hepatitis A and B to whooping cough and pneumonia.
It’s definitely best to err on the side of caution and make sure that you are current with all of your vaccinations.
Get a Vitamin C Supplement
Before your trip, make sure you start taking a vitamin C supplement – and take it with you when you go!
Vitamin C helps your body in so many ways. It promotes healthier oxygen levels, improves your physical performance, strengthens the immune system, and helps to fight off illnesses. Taking a vitamin C supplement will ensure that you are in good health for your trip – and that you remain in good health while you’re traveling. Lipsomal vitamin C is liquid form, so it’s easy to take wherever your travels may take you.
Don’t Forget to Pack Tummy Medicine
One of the biggest health issues to plague international travelers is gastrointestinal problems. They can occur for a number of reasons, such as eating foods that your system isn’t used to or drinking water that contains elements that your body may not be able to handle.
If you’re hit with an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or a bout of diarrhea while you’re traveling, it’s sure to throw a wrench in your itinerary. To avoid tummy troubles, make sure you pack along some over-the-counter medications that are made to clam upset stomachs. In fact, you should start taking them before you head out on your excursion. A study found taking Pepto Bismol (the pink over-the-counter tummy medicine) can help to significantly reduce the risk of developing traveler’s diarrhea – a condition that often affects international travelers.
Pack a First Aid Kit
Though you will be able to find pharmacies when you travel abroad, especially in big cities, you may not be able to find what you need. Also, if you are traveling to a remote location, locating a pharmacy may prove to be difficult. It’s a wise idea to pack a first aid kit filled with all of the essentials so that you know you have it should you need it. Things to pack in your kit include:
- Cough and cold medicines
- Allergy medicines
- Antibiotic ointments
- Bandages
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Handy wipes