Journey” nasal cream. We take a long acting nasal moisturizer and add an anti-viral medication for further protection. Drinking lots of water during the flight is also a good idea.
.....What about traveling with a face mask? There is a bit of misconception regarding this practice. If you wear a mask, it does not necessarily give you extra protection against catching a virus. It does however help prevent you from spreading a virus. Most viruses are spread via direct contact, such as rubbing your eye or nose with a dirty hand. A mask would not help this. A better idea may be to use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (Purell) every so often. It would also be wise to try and keep your hands away from your face, which can be surprisingly hard to do. |
.....Another real concern with long air travel is the risk of developing a blood clot in your leg. This is also known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). When people are immobilized, blood has a tendency to not circulate as well. When blood does not circulate well, it might clot. This is not an unforeseeable complication on a long flight. The most common symptoms of DVT are pain, swelling, warmth and redness in the lower extremities. These symptoms might also arise days after your plane trip. It has been suggested that taking an Aspirin before a flight might help prevent DVT. Aspirin is a mild blood thinner and could be helpful; it is best to talk to your Doctor or Peoples Pharmacist to see if this would be right for you. Here are a few things you can |
do to avoid this potential complication of air travel.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids during your flight
• Get up and move around (this will be necessary if you drink plenty of fluids)
• Every half an hour, stretch and bend your leg and calf muscles
• Consider wearing compression stockings
.....Traveling can be a lot of fun, with the proper planning. When you are making plans to pack your socks and book a hotel room, don't forget to think about your health. There are two excellent documents to read on the Health Canada website: “Well on your way” and “Bon Voyage but...” Planning ahead can keep your vacation a pleasant one.
Written By Ian Lloyd, Pharmacist & Chartered Herbalist
Peoples Pharmacy, Victoria |
WHERE PEOPLE COME FIRST