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Monday
Sep062010

Consider Spas for Healthy Travel 

Traveling abroad usually means visiting cultural and historical sites...going through ancient castles, churches, museums and parks. It gives the opportunity to visit picturesque villages, walk on cobblestone streets, climb steps to reach high cave openings, and so on. You may always be on the go; always moving in and out of vehicles and tour buses. We suggest that you take a break and pamper yourself with a day at a spa. 

An alternative plan is to consider a more serene vacation. You can plan on visiting a myriad of places around the globe with beautiful and quiet beaches. We think that you might consider planning vacation to a spa, and experience adventures for the mind and the body...all part of a life of wellness. 

Spas and their offerings: 

One might only conjecture spas, as places where the “rich and restless” went “to take the waters” or even to “drink the waters.” We imagine choices of hydrotherapy, mud baths, seaweed cleansing and a variety of massages. But spas also offer:

-Classes about fresh, healthy foods for a diet and nutrition, and experiences for adventures in “good cuisine.” 

-Practices of meditative styles of serenity. 

-Holistic or spiritual health and preventative medicine programs 

-Lessons about stress control and relaxation techniques. 

-Encounters with weight management, new age retreats and yoga. 

-Seminars and activities to challenge the mind, if not the body. 

Next: Where to go for a spa vacation. 

ML

 

Thursday
Sep022010

Taking Legal Drugs Abroad Can Cause Problems

There can be problems with getting through customs with both prescription and over the counter medications. Many countries restrict stimulants and sedatives from crossing their borders. In the US, for example, we can purchase sinus medicine that contains Pseudoephedrine; abroad these drugs may be confiscated. Sleeping pills that contain barbiturates are other suspects. Medicine that contains Morphine or Codeine probably won’t be allowed to accompany you out of the airport. Some countries are leery about syringes and needles. There also may be limits to the amounts of medicine that you can bring with you. 

Japan provides a good example. The Japanese Ministry of Health regulates the list of allowable items. They may not allow inhalators, allergy and sinus drugs, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers. Prozac and Viagra also may be confiscated. You are allowed to bring a 4 month supply of vitamins, 2 month supply of non-prescription drugs and a 1 month supply of prescriptions. If you are carrying syringes or wearing pumps for injectable drugs, you are required to obtain a so-called “Yakkan Shoumei,” or an import certificate in advance and show these with your prescription drugs at Customs. 

Suggestions to Avoid Problems:

1. Consult the Embassy(s) or Consulate(s) in the US of the countries that you intend to visit about allowable and non-allowable drugs.  

2. If you still are unclear, ask the US State Department for an English speaking doctor at your destination, whom you could call and ask questions. 

3. Take steps 1 and 2 early; if there is a problem, you will need to discuss this with your medical provider and have time to purchase prescribed alternatives.

4. Ask your doctor for a letter listing your medications and why you need each drug.

5. Get your doctor to write a prescription for each of your drugs.

6. Keep your medications in their original bottles. Bring receipts from your most recent   purchase of the medicines.

7. Bring enough drugs for your entire stay. Remember, you can’t mail drugs into the country. They will be confiscated by customs. This is especially important for students enrolled in yearly study abroad programs.

ML

 

Monday
Aug302010

Ask the Pharmacist to Pack & Sort Your Drugs

Traveling with medicines may be complicated, especially if you take many different drugs each day and/or during different parts of the day. If your medication schedule is complex, or if there are several medications to keep track of while you are away from home, then it may be a good idea to speak to your pharmacist to set up a pill management system. 

We asked our pharmacist to suggest an organized and inexpensive system to pack and sort medications. She suggested a blister/bubble packaging method. This involves sorting and sealing the medications by time of day to be taken (breakfast, noon, afternoon, bedtime, etc) and bubble-packing them in compartments. The packs are labeled with the prescriptions’ names, doses and directions. This system makes the airline security personnel happy, because it fits the requirement that drugs be in labeled containers. 

Our pharmacist suggests that you call your usual drugstore (or the provider in your medical health plan) to see if they offer this service. She notes that a druggist will want a few days to prepare the packaging. Expect the pharmacy to charge a nominal amount (a few dollars) to sort and pack the drugs for your daily schedule. 

Always order more days’ worth of packed meds than you think you will need, just in case there is a travel delay, or some loss along the way. 

Remember to pack your drugs in your carry on luggage. Don’t put them in checked baggage, because there is a risk that the bag will be either delayed or lost. 

Note: Blister/bubble packaging is a wonderful idea to keep track of your medication schedule, even when you are not traveling. This is a good idea for people who are disabled, elderly, forgetful or easily confused. Moreover, it can enable a home care giver to be sure of your medications and timing. 

Thanks to Elnaz Darj, Pharm.D., R.Ph.; owner of Chevy Chase CARE Pharmacy (MD.) 

ML

 

 

 

Thursday
Aug262010

More Tips to Reduce Stress on a Cruise

 

*Plan to arrive at the departure dock early. That is, get to the departure city a day or two before the cruise begins. This is important, when you consider that flights can be delayed or cancelled. Why risk last minute trauma? 

*Bring an alarm clock. Your ship may not have one. This is useful to assuring you’ll meet an early tour excursion, and to be ready for an early departure from the ship. You shouldn’t be rushed to gather your things, or forget something you need. 

*Take a portable radio. You will enjoy local music, hear weather reports, keep up with news, and any emergency reports. 

*Take fragrances (incense or beads, for example). Make your small space smell cozy and pleasant. 

*Take light sticks. This is a wonderful idea to use and to place over the bathroom doorknob, where it can provide a gentle glow during the night, and you can safely find your way. 

*Take extra batteries. Cabins do not usually provide enough electric outlets for your personal or medical equipment. Think about packing a power strip. 

*Contact your cell phone carrier to ask about roaming charges along your itinerary. Perhaps your rate plan provides for no extra fee in your ports of call, or on the ship. As an alternative, investigate buying “walkie-talkies” to keep everyone in your group connected without cell phone roaming charges. 

*Ask for a printout of your bill a day before the cruise ends. This lets you review the invoice, and resolve any discrepancies, without last day stress. 

*Use the ship’s spa and steam rooms. It will be a relaxing experience. 

These tips are adapted from BUDGET TRAVEL.   

Readers: Use our search box, to read other tips on a safe and healthy cruise trip. 

ML

 

Monday
Aug232010

Stress Reduced Cruise  

 

We go on cruises because it is stress free, but there are ways to keep it more relaxed and healthy. Here are some tips to try, as offered by seasoned cruisers. 

Choose cabins wisely: 

*Select a cabin that is mid-ship. The roll of the ship is lessened in this mid-section. 

*Study the ship plan, and avoid a cabin under the well-traveled areas, such as the buffet deck or entertainment salon. 

* Consider calling the cruise line directly. Talk with the customer representative, who can provide advice about cabin choices, customizing your food selections to meet your dietary needs, and arranging any required medical equipment. 

Dining on board: 

*Use room service: If you have an early-morning land tour, or have to vacate your room at the end of the trip, then order room service. You won’t get stuck in a long line and risk missing your departure. 

*If you are not sure about dining facilities in a port, then eat on board. 

*If you choose to eat in a port, walk around a bit, and find a fun eating establishment that is off the main dock area. It may be less crowded, and less expensive.

*Focus on the beverages that are included in your cruise package. Beer, wine and cocktails cost extra. Juices, a healthy alternative, as usually “free” with meals. 

*Check to see if you can reserve a table when making arrangements for the cruise.

You’ll avoid last minute assignments, and make sure that you can eat with the number and people you feel comfortable. 

Sea sick: 

*Lie down and look at the horizon. 

*Eat apples, especially green apples. 

*Eat candied ginger; bring some along with you before you depart. 

*Peel an orange, hold the rind to your nose and inhale. 

To be continued on August 26, 2010. 

ML