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staying healthy while travelling Staying healthy while travelling

Whether you or your employees are travelling abroad for business or pleasure, it pays to stay healthy while you're travelling.

Flying safely

Sitting still for long periods of time can put you at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. The clot can lead to complications if it breaks off and travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Always seek urgent medical advice if you develop pain or swelling in your calf or thigh, or if you have breathing problems or chest pain after your flight.

You can reduce the risk of DVT by exercising your legs at least once every hour when travelling. While seated, simply bend and straighten your toes, ankles and legs, and make gentle circular movements with your feet. If possible try to get up and walk up and down the aisle of the plane.

Taking aspirin before or during a flight does not help prevent DVT, as some people might believe. Aspirin is widely used to help prevent blood clots in arteries, which can cause strokes and heart attacks, however, aspirin does not seem to be very effective at preventing clots in veins.

If you’re a regular flyer it’s worth purchasing flight socks. Flights socks can help maintain circulation in your lower legs and reduce your risk of developing blood clots. 

Jet Lag

When you cross over several time zones your body clock will be disrupted, making you feel sleepy and hungry at odd times of the day. This is called jet lag. It can take a few days to adjust to the new rhythm of daylight and darkness.

To reduce your risk of jet lag, adjust your watch to the destination time as soon as you get on the plane. When you arrive at your destination eat and sleep at the correct times for your new time zone.

If you’re travelling on business, and you only plan to stay abroad for two or three days then there is very little you can do about jet lag. However, it may be helpful to arrange important meetings to coincide with daytime in your home country.

Dehydration

Humidity in aircraft cabins is usually low, which may cause skin dryness and discomfort but presents no risk to health. However, using a skin moisturising lotion, saline nasal spray and spectacles rather than contact lenses can relieve or prevent any discomfort as a result of flying. The low humidity does not cause internal dehydration and therefore it is not necessary to drink more than usual.

Sun care

No matter what colour your skin is, it’s vital that you protect yourself from the sun. Some sunlight is important because our skin uses it to produce vitamin D, which helps to build and maintain strong bones. But too much sun is harmful and can damage your skin.

Skin cancer

Some people are more likely to develop skin cancer than others. You must take extra care to protect your skin in the sun if you have:

  • a family history of skin cancer
  • moles or freckles
  • pale skin and/or fair or red hair and/or blue eyes
  • skin that burns easily or if it’s been badly sunburnt before

To reduce your risk of sunburn:

  • stay in the shade from 11am to 3pm
  • wear a hat and long-sleeved tops and trousers
  • wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face
  • wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and eyelids
  • use sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher
  • drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
     

Eating and drinking safely

Often travellers get diarrhoea from eating or drinking something contaminated. You can also get diseases like cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A from contaminated food and water. You can reduce your risk by:

  • drinking bottled or boiled water
  • ordering drinks without ice
  • washing your hands before eating
  • peeling all fruit or raw vegetables
  • eating food that is freshly cooked and served piping hot

If you get a bout of diarrhoea, drink plenty of fluids to help prevent you from getting dehydrated.

 

For more information on the above topics, see the related Bupa health factsheets at www.bupa.co.uk/health

Next steps

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    Sources

    Advice on travel-related DVT. Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk, date accessed 16 June 2008.

    Mode of travel: health considerations. World Health Organisation. www.who.int, date accessed 16 June 2008.

    Sunsmart. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerresearchuk.org, date accessed 16 June 2008.

    While you’re away. Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk, date accessed 17 June 2008.