alittlebitsocial2 Even if you’ve meticulously planned your next holiday, unexpected issues can always crop up. When travelling somewhere new, you might catch a bug, get injured, or come down with food poisoning. By preparing for your trip, you can ensure you’re ready for any problems. Furthermore, here’s how to store your medical records in the cloud, pack a complete first aid kit, and seek medical help while on holiday. Here are five ways to prepare for illness and injuries on holiday.
Digitise Your Medical Records
When planning a trip, it’s important to prepare for the possibility of illness or injury. One way to do this is by digitising and storing your medical records and carrying them with you; here in the UK, medical records are now available via the NHS should you need to seek the advice of a GP or medical professional.
However, if you have a serious medical condition like diabetes, heart problems, epilepsy or any life-threatening illness, it would be a great idea to have a file with you that contains a list of all your medications, your last admission to hospital, any treatment or tests you are currently undergoing, which you can use to explain in an emergency or if treatment is needed. This would benefit children to have height, weight, and any allergies included in case medication needs to be administered.
If you save them to your phone, you can easily access them from anywhere and share them with healthcare professionals. You won’t have to worry about losing the original documents while travelling. So, before you hit the road, take the time to ensure that you have all the necessary medical information at your fingertips. You could even translate the information if you know you are visiting a foreign country.
If you realise that you need to make any necessary changes to your records after digitising them, you can convert your doc from a PDF to Word for editing purposes. All you need to do is upload the PDF, convert it, revise the document, and save it.
Pack Smart and Prepare for Illness and Injuries
When travelling, it’s important to prepare for illness and injuries that may occur. One essential item to pack is a first aid kit. To create a lightweight kit, NetDoctor recommends packing allergy tablets, over-the-counter medications for digestive issues, antacids, painkillers, bandages, plasters, a skin disinfectant, a thermometer, and tweezers. Depending on your destination, you may also want to pack sun lotion or water purification tablets. Don’t forget to bring any prescription medications or supplements you regularly take. Being prepared can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Make a Plan
What would you do if you felt unwell after arriving at your destination or became injured in a foreign country? It’s essential to make a plan in advance. Determine the closest hospitals or healthcare clinics to your accommodation. You can also look up local pharmacies for over-the-counter healthcare providers. Additionally, look up any vaccine requirements for visiting your chosen destination, and make an appointment to get the necessary vaccines before your departure. Finally, find out what services your health insurance covers abroad, and enrol in a travel insurance policy if you need it.
Stay Healthy on the Road
Travelling can throw off your usual routines. Even if you don’t get sick on your trip, you may not feel your best. To stay healthy anywhere in the world, RockHoppa recommends enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, going to bed early, staying hydrated, making time for yoga, and eating nutritious meals.
Handle Medical Issues
You’re at your destination, you’ve had a great first day or two, but now, you’re feeling under the weather. What are your next steps? You can use the supplies in your first aid kit if you’re only dealing with a minor issue. If your stomach is bothering you, drink lots of water and take digestive medications as necessary. However, if you need medical care, you can head to the closest urgent care clinic or the emergency room for more serious issues. Even if you don’t have travel insurance, don’t hesitate to seek care – chances are, the bill will be manageable.
While no one plans to get sick or injured while on holiday, it’s always best to be prepared. As mentioned above, one way to do this is by digitising your medical records and keeping them easily accessible while travelling. Also, packing a first aid kit with essentials like bandages and pain relievers can be handy in case of minor injuries. And don’t forget to maintain healthy habits, like staying hydrated and getting enough rest, to prevent illness while on your trip. Preparing for illness and injuries during your trip can make even the more serious problems manageable.
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