For those planning to visit the United Kingdom (UK) with a service animal (or for that matter, any animal), it is essential to begin planning, at least seven or eight months in advance. The UK now uses the “Pet Travel Scheme” (PETS), for entry of animals.

Pets (including guide and hearing dogs) from the US mainland can enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the Scheme. Animals which do not meet all the rules, must be “licensed into quarantine” for six months. They might be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary PETS requirements.

The procedures

* Have your pet micro-chipped. Before any of the other procedures for PETS are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so that it can be properly identified.

* Have your pet vaccinated. After the microchip has been fitted, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination

* Arrange a blood test. After your pet has been vaccinated, it must be blood tested to make sure that the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of protection against rabies.

* Before your pet enters the UK, it must be treated against tick and tapeworm. Your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in with an approved transport company for its journey into the UK.

The six month rule for entry or re-entry to the UK

Your dog or cat may not enter the UK under PETS until six calendar months have passed from the date that your veterinarian (vet) took the blood sample, with a satisfactory test result. Once your vet has issued the PETS documentation and that six month period has passed, the PETS documentation is valid for your pet to enter the UK.

Remember that your pet must enter the UK with an approved transport company on an authorized route.

This information was derived from the UK Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that is charged with the administration of the PETS regulations. http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets

EF

It is wise to exercise, while on a long airplane trip, to combat poor circulation, swelling and sore joints. My doctor tells me to walk the aisles every two hours. As aisles get narrower, as airlines cram in more seats, this advice is difficult to follow.

If you can’t comply with your doctor’s advice, or even if you can, here are exercises that you can do at your seat. Repeat every two hours.

1. Squeeze a tennis or rubber ball and then relax. Repeat for two minutes in each hand.

2. Extend your leg, one at a time. Repeat 10 times on each leg.

3. Keep your heels on the ground and raise your toes as high as you can and hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.

4. Place your arms on your armrests and raise your knees slowly, then lower them slowly. Repeat 5-10 times.

5. Cross your legs. Rotate the foot in a wide circle, then reverse. Repeat 5 times in each direction, with each foot.

6. Stretch your neck by keeping your chin down and tilt forward. Roll your head from one shoulder to the other. Repeat 5-10 times.

7. Do shoulder hunches, by raising your shoulders toward your ears and hold for 5 seconds. Then lower your shoulders and relax. Repeat 10 times.

8. Arch your torso gently backward and forward like a cat. Repeat 10 times.

9. Flex your butt and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10-15 times.

We have adapted this list from an article “How to Exercise on a Plane,” http:www.ehow.com.

Readers, please share any seat exercises and like to do. Click on the “add comment” phrase at the end of this entry (you can leave the URL box blank).

EF

1. Relax!

Remember, that to enjoy your stay at a foreign destination, you do not have to wake up early and rush through a full day of activities! You may encounter fewer sights; but you will see and enjoy them more! Plan on sleeping in, people-watching, and slipping back to the hotel for a rest and relaxation period.

Don’t stress about trying to obtain special reservations to events. Maybe you will luck into last minute ticket deals. Anyway, a change of plans can still lead to exciting and wholesome adventures. Realize that if you have never seen an event or sight before, then it will be new and exciting.

2. Upgrade!

Treat yourself to a more luxurious experience that you think you should have. Stay at a sumptuous lodging. Rent a more comfortable car. You may be on vacation (that is, no-one may be subsidizing your expenses), yet you are on an adventure. So, spoil yourself. And your health will benefit.

3. Go “local”!

Try some unfamiliar, local food. Keep in mind that food should be safely prepared and thoroughly cooked.

4. Travel with a companion!

Add to your enjoyment of a new situation, with someone to share your excitement. ou may feel more secure, if you are not alone should you fall ill.

5. Learn a few foreign phrases!

Triphealthy.com has always suggested that you learn, or carry with you, a few phrases that can be used if you need some immediate health, pharmaceutical, or dietary help. This, certainly, can make your tip more relaxing and safe.

6. Plan...plan...plan!

We have tried to get you to realize that you can travel with a chronic illness. Simply plan your trip beforehand; and plan to follow healthy and safe guidelines while abroad.

ML

Is a trip to the Middle East a healthy idea? We asked one of our foreign correspondents to select a part of the world that Triphealthy.com has not yet written about. The focus, as always, is on what can our readers, who travel with chronic diseases or who are concerned about health related issues, expect if they go to that part of the world. His report targeted the Middle East, based on his medical experience and observations there.

The Middle-East is essentially a geographical term; however, its political, religious and social implications are unmistakable. The health concerns which beset a traveler to this region are linked to the different socio-religious practices occurring in this region. In most cases (quaint as they may seem), these practices are healthier than what is thought about them. Let us examine a few.

There is a practice of removing one’s shoes before entering the parlor of a host. It is not a practice found in western countries. However, the exclusion of footwear carrying pathogens into a home implies a built-in sanitization in the system.

Another custom is to find mouthwash in the rest-room of restaurants. This is to be used after a meal is over; although, no eyebrows will be raised if it is not used by a tourist. Its usefulness as a practice, however, is unquestionable.

As a rule, the use of deodorants is very much the mode in the Middle-East. Amongst the women, whenever one lady comes to meet the hostess of the house, she is offered a box full of “ittar” (deodorant) in small vials. A guest uses it with refined grace; especially in a hot region.

Most of the cities in the Middle-East are well-covered by a healthcare system quite akin to western countries. The doctors are usually highly trained. In general, a tourist can find satisfactory health care.

Dr. Satyabrata (“Shelley”) Chaudhuri is a well traveled Surgeon Commander, Indian Navy (Retd.), as a consultant physician and rheumatologist at the University of Bombay. Annually, he attends the National Institutes of Health, in Washington, DC, as an auditor in their training programs.

Travel agents are good sources of information, and great for planning international travel, when you have special health needs (e.g., wheelchairs, oxygen, service dogs). Not only can they make all the arrangements and calls, they can also tell you what documents are required for your trip.

There were over 85,000 travel agents in the US, as of May 2007 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). Travel agents book 85% of cruises and 70% of tours and packages (American Society of Travel Agents, ASTA).

ASTA also reports that “younger travelers are more likely to use the
services of a travel agent than those who are 55 years of age or older.”

Travel agents usually charge fees for their services. You should ask them before you book a trip with them, what the costs will be and for an explanation of each fee.

Finding and choosing the right travel agent is not all that difficult. Start with asking your relatives, neighbors and people you for the names of the travel agents they have used and trust.

Contact several well established agencies to find one that specializes in certain health conditions or can arrange for your health care needs in foreign countries.

Investigate online, and ascertain whether agents have credentials, such as Certified Travel Counselors (CTC), or Master Cruise Counselors (MCC). Organizations like CTC or MCC certify that those agents went through educational travel training administered by the Travel Institute or the Cruise Lines International Association.

A way to locate an ASTA certified travel agent in your area, who is a specialist in travel health needs, is to go online to www.asta.org. Another useful site is www.TravelSense.org .

RF

A man standing next to you gazing at the Eiffel Tower suddenly collapses and is unresponsive. The problem is cardiac arrest, his heart has stopped beating. Taking two immediate steps can help save his life:

1. Call for emergency help

2. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Unfortunately, less than one-third of those people who experience cardiac arrest get that help. Most bystanders are worried that they might do something wrong or make things worse.

Cardiac arrest can occur at home, at work, or during a trip abroad. If you are nearby, it is always stressful to witness. It’s not normal to see an adult suddenly collapse; but, if you do, call emergency and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Don’t be afraid! It is imperative that emergency personnel be contacted and CPR be started at once.

CPR has recently become easier to administer. The American Heart Association (AHA) is advocating the Hands-Only CPR method, This is different from the traditional method that involved breathing into someone’s mouth and chest compressions. AHA states: Don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help.

The Hands Only Method is not difficult and can be successfully used by people who have not received CPR training.

1. Kneel directly over the person’s chest (who has collapsed and is nonresponsive).

2. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest and put the other hand on top of the first.

3. Push the center of the chest hard and fast (100 beats/minute) until emergency help arrives.

To see the method demonstrated and explained, visit: http://www.americanheart.org

By the way, the most appropriate and best song to hum that has 103 beats/minute is the Bee Gee’s song “Staying Alive. There are other songs with the correct tempo, but much less appropriate like “Another Ones Bites the Dust,” by Queen.

EF

Quick tip: Keep family and friends informed about your itinerary! This was really a very difficult thing for me to have done during my decades of travel. I never thought to talk about my travel agenda, except to note that I was going to the Virgin Islands, Germany, etc. Why? Because, I thought it was more fun to talk about the trip after I came back... when I had something to talk about, and photos to show! Now, I realize that it is useful to leave some “trail” before I go!

I think it is important to keep in touch with one selected family member or friend, in case there is an emergency. So, I suggest that you set up a contact person, as you plan your travel abroad.

Plan to:

1. Make arrangements to check in at regular intervals during your trip with this contact person. Me...I always relied on post cards (showing the place I was lodging at) and glorious color pictures of sights in that locale. OK...it was designed to make them “jealous”! But now, with cell phones and lap tops, we can keep in touch (and, quite frankly, still make them jealous!).

2. Leave your contact a copy of your passport, as well as details of your travel itinerary and ways in which to reach you.

3. Leave a copy of your prescriptions for medications that you are taking and the contact information for your doctor.

4. Plan to register your travel itinerary with the US State Department, through a free on-line service, at http://www.travel.state.gov. This will help the American Embassy call your contact, if you have a medical problem; or can contact you, if there is a family emergency in the US.

I hope that you can see that this is a necessary chore...and it is something to think about.

ML

Triphealthy,com proudly announces that our HONcode, standard for trustworthy health information, accreditation has been reviewed and renewed. We received this good news over the recent holiday period and want to share part of the letter with you:


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Upon this process we certify its full compliance with all HONcode principles. We are therefore very pleased to herewith inform you that your HONcode certificate has been extended for the following year.”

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
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Traveling in cold weather can present problems, especially if you have certain chronic health conditions. We all know that head covering is important, since you can lose 30-40 percent of your body heat through your head. We all learned in our childhood that the head is like a chimney. But, the reality is that heat can escape from any exposed skin!

Did you realize that heat can also be lost from the neck? That calls for a scarf. And, it can be lost from the hands. Wearing gloves can help. Mittens are better than gloves, however, because the fingers can touch one another for warmth.
Those with heart conditions and high blood pressure, for example, should think twice about walking outside when the temperature is below 32degrees Fahrenheit (zero degree Celsius).

Illustration: I was taking a walk in London, when the temperature plummeted to freezing. With each breath, I had chest pains, as the cold air was causing my blood vessels to constrict. I bought a scarf and wrapped it around my mouth. Then found a hotel lobby, sat down and took a nitroglycerin tablet, which expanded my blood vessels.

Some hints how to stay healthy in cold weather:

* Cover to protect your skin and prevent the loss of body heat.

* Wear layered clothing. Silk and wool inner layers hold in body heat. Outerwear should be made of tightly woven water-repellent material in order to protect you from the wind.

* Avoid activities that cause you to sweat heavily. Cold weather and wet clothes produce chills.

* Stay as dry as possible. If in snow, be sure that all exposed skin surfaces are covered.

A good source for finding about climate affects on health is http://www.mayoclinic.com/health

Remember, we want to hear about your experiences and tips for preventing problems.

EF

You are going out for the day, what should you carry (besides the bottle of water)? Remember, pick-pockets are omnipresent, quick and adept. ONLY CARRY WHAT IS IMPORTANT for immediate use.

Many people carry back and/or tummy packs. I carry a long, thin pocketbook with a strap that I wear around my neck, positioning the bag in front of me. In your bag, I suggest that you carry:

- Only cash needed for one day and one widely accepted credit card.

- Your personal and medical information.

- Your medication list.

- One day supply of your required pills and those you may need.

- Your insurance cards.

Ask your hotel (or where you are staying) for a card with its address and phone number in the host country’s language. It is also wise to have a small paper with translations for:

- Help me, I am sick.

- Where is the closest hospital?

- Where is the toilet?

- Taxi; where can I get a taxi?

You should also carry important telephone numbers, such as the US embassy or consulate office.

EF