Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_07_14/GA_1407_E1_018.pdf 

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Galway Advertiser

July 14 2005

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY
The countdown has begun. It is just days until you are heading off on holiday and you cannot wait to recharge your batteries under an azure sky. Endless sun- kissed sandy beaches, long, cool drinks and glorious opportunities to explore new and exotic places. But while we tend to go to great lengths to prepare our holiday wardrobe and organise sightseeing trips, we often forget about our health. Sadly, sometimes holidays are unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Nothing can spoil a special trip faster than injury or illness. Here are some tips to ensure you have a perfect break:6. Avoid sunburn - there is no such thing as a safe suntan, use high factor sun creams. 7. Eat crisps and peanuts, they will help to replace lost salt. 8. Keep in contact with home and let them know of any change in plans. 9. Jet lag, characterised by fatigue, disorientation, indigestion, headaches and insomnia can be prevented by changing your bedtime three nights before you leave, say experts. If you are travelling east, go to bed one hour earlier for each time zone you will cross. If you're travelling west, go to bed one hour later. 10. If travelling by air, make sure you are sitting as comfortably as possible. Bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes every half hour or so. Upper body and breathing exercises help to improve circulation. Take short walks in the aisle of the aeroplane when the seat belt sign is switched off. Avoid sleeping pills, alcohol and caffeine. Drink plenty of water or juices to avoid dehydration. If you arrive at your destination during the day, plan to spend some time outdoors. Try to expose yourself to as many hours of daylight as possible. Do not go to bed until evening. 11. If you suffer from motion sickness you will readily recognise the symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, pallor and sweating. To prevent it while flying request a seat over the wings. Avoid sitting in the tail section. Open the overhead vents and direct air to your face. On land transport, fix your gaze on the scenery straight ahead, not to the side. Or offer to drive, the person at the wheel never gets motion sickness.

O'CONNOR
12. While most people can manage minor problems without the assistance of a doctor, the following symptoms call for medical attention. These include fevers over 101 degrees for more than two days, severe vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal or chest pains, difficulty breathing, fainting, slurred speech, feelings of disorientation and severe weakness.

Happy holidays
13. Be sure to check out climatic conditions, advises Dr Dom Colbert, a Galway based GP with a special interest in travel health. He says holiday programmes, magazines, travel features and the Internet are exposing people to the "wonders of the world" and have created a race of globetrotters. "Long gone are the days when two weeks in the south of Spain or indeed a week in the Canaries were considered exotic holidays. Nowadays, European holidays are categorised as `weekend breaks' and people are traversing the four corners of the world on holiday." The only fear facing today's brave explorers is that of unknown illnesses which can strike while on holiday or worse still, remain dormant and attack years later, he says. His concerns are backed up by a national survey which revealed that more than 50 per cent of people from the west of Ireland who holiday abroad put themselves at risk of infectious disease, such as hepatitis A and typhoid. It indicated holidaymakers travelling to "at risk" destinations are not aware of the potential risks and are not getting the recommended health vaccinations.

1. People heading for Asia, Africa or South America should always consult their local GP or tropical medical centre at least six weeks before departing as vaccinations may be necessary for these destinations 2. Don't forget your passport. Travellers should check their travel plans and arrive at the airport in plenty of time. This avoids unnecessary stress - not a good start to a holiday! 3. Carry a mini first aid kit to treat mosquito bites and stomach upsets, advises the Tropical Medical Bureau. Mosquitoes love the smell of perfume and aftershaves so make sure to use a good repellent, particularly after sunset. 4. Drink plenty of fluids in hot climates to reduce dehydration. However, avoid over indulgence in alcohol. 5. Take care while swimming never swim after a full meal or after drinking alcohol. Swim with others ideally.

Try to expose yourself to as many hours of daylight as possible.

"It is necessary to do more than check out the country's website or tune into travel programmes before you go abroad," warns Dr Colbert. "It is vital to research medical conditions, water conditions, climate and disease." Climates can make or break a holiday, he says. Asia is affected by monsoons, for example, so if you arrive at the wrong time of the year you could be wading around waist high in water. Summer in South America is unbearably hot so it is advisable to plan your trip for September. Facilities, food, water and hygiene levels vary hugely from country to

country, he says. Our systems are not equipped to handle certain bugs which are prevalent in these countries. * You can obtain a copy of the booklet "Passport to health" which gives advice on travel by sending a SAE to the GlaxoSmithkline Travel Health Bureau, PO Box 7808, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Alternatively, consumers should log on to www.travelvax.net or access the Tropical Medical Bureau's website at www.tmb.ie for a wealth of information on safe travel.

* All from Michel Ambers. Local stockists include Anthony Ryan's, Shop Street and Marians of Francis Street. For further stockist information call McGurks Fashion Group at (01) 6790002.

.Avoid unnecessary stress before travelling.

Avoid sunburn, use high factor creams.