Cannon Pharmacy Salisbury
Cannon Pharmacy is your locally owned and operated pharmacy in Salisbury, NC
Are you planning summer travel? Whether you're heading to a beach resort, visiting family across the country, or embarking on an international adventure, staying healthy while traveling is essential for an enjoyable trip. Travel disrupts your normal routine and exposes you to new environments, foods, and health risks.
Cannon Pharmacy Salisbury can help you prepare for healthy travel. From motion sickness remedies to first aid supplies, give us a call on 980-892-0700 and our team will make sure you have the right products and knowledge before you leave. Having the right supplies ensures you're ready to handle common travel health issues.
Preparation is key to healthy travel. Start planning at least four to six weeks before your trip, especially for international travel. This gives you time to get any necessary vaccinations, fill prescriptions, and gather supplies you'll need.
Schedule a pre-travel consultation with your doctor if you have chronic health conditions, take regular medications, or are traveling internationally. Your doctor can ensure your conditions are well-controlled before you leave and provide guidance on managing them while away.
Research your destination's health risks. The CDC website provides country-specific health information including recommended vaccinations, disease outbreaks, and health precautions. Different destinations pose different risks – what you need for a Caribbean beach vacation differs from what you need for hiking in the Rocky Mountains.
Check your health insurance coverage for travel. Some policies don't cover medical care outside your home state or country. Consider purchasing travel health insurance, especially for international trips. This can cover emergency medical care, evacuation, and trip cancellation due to illness.
If you take regular medications, ensure you have enough to last your entire trip plus extra in case of delays. Request refills before you leave so you don't run out while away. Keep medications in their original labeled containers to avoid problems at security checkpoints or customs.
Pack all medications in your carry-on luggage, never in checked bags. Lost luggage could leave you without essential medications. Bring a list of your medications including generic names, as brand names vary by country. Include your doctor's contact information in case you need prescription verification.
For international travel, research whether your medications are legal in your destination country. Some medications available over-the-counter or by prescription in the US are controlled substances elsewhere. Contact the embassy of your destination country if you're unsure.
If you use injectable medications like insulin or epinephrine auto-injectors, carry a letter from your doctor explaining your medical need for syringes and needles. This prevents problems at airport security.
Store medications properly while traveling. Some medications require refrigeration or protection from heat. If you're traveling to hot climates, keep medications in a cool place and never leave them in a hot car. Insulin, in particular, can be damaged by extreme temperatures.
A well-stocked travel health kit helps you manage minor health issues without interrupting your trip. Start with a basic first aid kit including adhesive bandages in various sizes, sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and tweezers for splinters.
Include over-the-counter medications for common travel ailments. Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen treat headaches, muscle aches, and fever. Antihistamines help with allergic reactions and can also prevent motion sickness. Anti-diarrheal medication and laxatives address digestive issues that commonly affect travelers.
Antacids or acid reducers help with heartburn from unfamiliar foods. If you're prone to motion sickness, include prevention medications. Hydrocortisone cream treats insect bites and minor skin irritations. Sunscreen and aloe vera gel protect against and soothe sunburn.
For international travel, add water purification tablets if you'll be in areas with questionable water safety. Include oral rehydration salts for treating dehydration from diarrhea or heat. Insect repellent containing DEET protects against mosquito-borne diseases in many tropical destinations.
Don't forget personal items like any prescription medications, glasses or contact lenses with extras, and copies of important prescriptions. Include your health insurance card and emergency contact information.
Motion sickness affects many travelers, causing nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and cold sweats. It occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals from your eyes, inner ears, and body about movement. Fortunately, several strategies can prevent or reduce motion sickness.
Choose your seat carefully. In cars, sit in the front seat and look at the horizon. On planes, request a seat over the wings where motion is less noticeable. On ships, book a cabin in the middle of the ship on a lower deck. On buses or trains, face forward and sit near the front.
Focus on the horizon or a distant stationary object rather than reading or looking at screens. Fresh air helps, so open a window if possible or use air vents. Avoid strong odors, which can trigger nausea.
Eat light meals before and during travel. Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods. Some people find that ginger helps prevent nausea – try ginger candies, ginger ale, or ginger capsules. Stay hydrated but avoid alcohol.
Several medications prevent motion sickness. Antihistamines like dimenhydrinate or meclizine are effective but can cause drowsiness. Take them 30 to 60 minutes before travel begins. Scopolamine patches, available by prescription, provide longer-lasting prevention for extended travel like cruises.
Dehydration is common during travel, especially on planes where cabin air is extremely dry. Dehydration causes fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and can worsen jet lag. It also increases your risk of blood clots during long flights.
Drink water regularly throughout your journey. Aim for at least 8 ounces of water per hour during flights. Bring an empty water bottle through airport security and fill it at water fountains. On planes, request water frequently – don't wait for beverage service.
Limit alcohol and caffeine, which both contribute to dehydration. If you do consume these beverages, drink extra water to compensate. Eat water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
In hot climates, increase your water intake significantly. Drink before you feel thirsty, as thirst indicates you're already becoming dehydrated. Watch for signs of dehydration including dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue.
Traveler's diarrhea affects up to 50% of international travelers, usually caused by consuming contaminated food or water. While usually not serious, it can certainly ruin your trip. Prevention is your best strategy.
In areas with questionable water safety, drink only bottled or boiled water. Avoid ice cubes, as they're often made from tap water. Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them yourself. Skip salads and uncooked foods.
Choose hot, thoroughly cooked foods served steaming hot. Avoid food from street vendors, which may not be prepared hygienically. Peel your own fruit and avoid cut fruit that may have been washed in contaminated water.
If you do develop diarrhea, stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably oral rehydration solutions that replace lost electrolytes. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide can provide symptom relief but shouldn't be used if you have fever or bloody stools.
Most traveler's diarrhea resolves within a few days. Seek medical attention if you have severe symptoms, high fever, bloody stools, signs of dehydration, or if symptoms persist beyond three days. Antibiotics may be needed for bacterial infections.
Many popular travel destinations have mosquitoes that transmit diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever. Protection against insect bites is essential in these areas.
Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on all exposed skin. Reapply according to product directions. Wear long sleeves and long pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Choose light-colored clothing, which is less attractive to insects.
Sleep under mosquito netting if your accommodation isn't screened or air-conditioned. Treat clothing and gear with permethrin for additional protection. Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened accommodations when possible.
Some destinations require or recommend vaccinations against diseases like yellow fever or typhoid. Others may recommend antimalarial medications. Discuss these with your doctor well before travel, as some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks.
Jet lag occurs when you cross multiple time zones, disrupting your body's internal clock. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and digestive problems. While you can't completely prevent jet lag, you can minimize its effects.
Start adjusting your schedule before you leave. If traveling east, go to bed and wake up earlier for several days before departure. If traveling west, shift your schedule later. During the flight, set your watch to your destination time zone and try to sleep and eat according to that schedule.
Stay hydrated during the flight and avoid excessive alcohol. Move around regularly to improve circulation. Upon arrival, spend time outdoors in natural light, which helps reset your internal clock. Try to stay awake until a normal local bedtime, even if you're tired.
Melatonin supplements may help some people adjust to new time zones. Take 0.5 to 5 mg at the destination's bedtime for several days after arrival. Consult your pharmacist about whether melatonin is appropriate for you and the correct dosage.
Despite your best preparations, medical emergencies can occur while traveling. Know how to access medical care at your destination. Research hospitals and clinics before you leave. Your hotel concierge can usually direct you to medical facilities.
For serious emergencies, contact emergency services immediately. Know the emergency number for your destination – it's not always 911. Contact your travel insurance company as soon as possible if you need medical care, as they can help coordinate treatment and coverage.
Keep copies of important documents separate from originals. Include your passport, health insurance cards, prescriptions, and emergency contacts. Leave copies with someone at home who can access them if needed.
The US embassy or consulate can provide lists of local doctors and hospitals, help you contact family, and assist with arranging medical evacuation if necessary. Save their contact information in your phone before you travel.
Your health considerations don't end when you return home. If you traveled internationally, monitor your health for several weeks after return. Some travel-related illnesses have incubation periods and symptoms may not appear until after you're home.
If you develop fever, persistent diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, or skin problems after international travel, see your doctor promptly. Mention where you traveled, as this helps your doctor consider travel-related illnesses in diagnosis.
Jet lag may persist for several days after return. Continue using strategies like light exposure and maintaining a regular sleep schedule to help your body readjust. Be patient with yourself as you transition back to your normal routine.
Don't let health concerns keep you from enjoying summer travel. With proper preparation and the right supplies, you can handle most common travel health issues and focus on making memories. The friendly team at Cannon Pharmacy Salisbury is here in South Salisbury, NC to help you stock your travel health kit and answer any specific questions you may have. Give us a call on 980-892-0700 before your next adventure – safe travels and good health!
Cannon Pharmacy is your locally owned and operated pharmacy in Salisbury, NC
