Don’t let chronic conditions ruin your travel plans!
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EmailPlanning can make traveling with chronic disease a breeze.
As holidays approach, many of us embark on travels both domestically and internationally. Although traveling can be an enjoyable, relaxing experience, it requires a great deal of planning, and effort, especially if you are living with a chronic disease. With adequate planning, your vacation or travel plans can be rewarding and safe, regardless of underlying chronic conditions.
Below we will review some things to consider when planning for a vacation or traveling while managing a chronic disease, as suggested by John Hopkins Medicine.
The first thing to do when you have decided to take a vacation is to make an appointment with your primary care physician. Try to schedule this appointment at least four to six weeks before departure to allow time for possible immunizations or tests you may need, depending on your destination. While you are at your appointment, ask for a letter from your health care provider outlining existing medical conditions, current treatments and any medications or equipment needed to manage your chronic condition. Also get paper copies of all your prescriptions, make sure they are dated to last until you return from your travels. Talk to your doctor about any possible drug interactions of your chronic disease medications with medications you may need during your travels, such as anti-diarrheal or malaria chemoprophylaxis. Discuss a plan for managing minor problems or exacerbations of chronic illness that may be brought on by the stress of traveling. See if your healthcare provider has a list of approved medical facilities in your destination countries, if applicable.
Other things to consider include supplemental insurance. Think about purchasing travel insurance in case you must cancel your trip due to an illness. There is also supplemental insurance for health care abroad since most policies do not cover medical services provided in other countries, as well as medical evacuation insurance to ensure you can get home in the case of a medical emergency occurring during your travels.
As you begin to pack your things, make sure you have all of your medications in their original containers, packed in your carry on. Make sure to pack extra in case there are unexpected delays. Have the paper copies of your prescriptions as well as a list of all phone and fax numbers for all your health care providers available in your carry on. Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet and carrying your medical information on you. Think of other things that will allow you to get adequate rest and comfort to make your trip smooth and uneventful.
Although chronic conditions require more planning, there is no reason to let them ruin any of your travel plans. Make a good plan and take a great trip. Happy travels!
Michigan State University Extension offers many programs on managing your chronic conditions. Contact your local MSU Extension office to find support near you.
