The Ultimate Trip Guide; Tips On How To Have A Healthy And Safe Vacation

Heat-Related Illnesses

With long periods of time exposed to the sun, the heat is another element that can dramatically affect an individual’s health, which may result in a trip to the hospital, and possibly ruin your vacation. Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (the swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles), heat cramps (muscle cramps), and heat rash. Heat illnesses can affect an individual quickly and are mainly caused by overexposure or overexertion to the sun and heat. Symptoms of heat illness include dizziness or fainting, nausea and vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heart rate, extreme thirst and dry mouth, and a decrease in urination with unusually dark urine. If you experience any of these symptoms while exposed to hot weather, immediately seek shelter (preferably cool) and drink plenty of liquids, particularly water.

Also, be aware of any medication you may be taking, as some medications can affect a person’s sensitivity to heat or sunlight, and can interfere with the body’s cooling functions, water, and salt retention, or make the skin more sensitive to UV rays. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the medications you are taking and follow their recommendations on how to prevent sun and heat-related conditions when traveling.

Quick Tips To Remember To Make Your Trip Unforgettable

After spending thousands of dollars, putting a lot of time and effort into planning, and all that built up anticipation for the trip of a lifetime, it would be a shame if illness, injury, or the unexpected occurred and ruined your vacation. But fear not! Here are a few essential tips to remember that can make your trip a breeze. For starters, when you arrive at your destination, ensure you know where your home country’s office or embassy is (e.g., the American Embassy for United States citizens), or the embassy of a country with which yours has a sharing agreement, as it can help you when you are faced with an emergency and need to return home quickly.

While vacationing, remember to wash your hands frequently and carry sanitizer with you, as it prevents the spread of germs and diseases, and drink bottled water as you cannot assume all water from a tap is purified and safe. Also, be incredibly cautious of what you eat and follow this golden rule: ‘Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!’