Travel insurance takes care of unexpected incidents like lost luggage etc. But it does not ensure your health while traveling. Your health insurance might cover any medical expenses you may have to undertake while traveling. But what about the mental and physical suffering? A bout of “Delhi Belly” while on your dream vacation with your partner, or while you are on your honeymoon can be such a dampner!

You definitely need to make sure that you have travel and health insurance. In our previous article in the series, we talked about ways to avoid a jet lag. In this article, we will deal with specific health issues that women face while traveling. A little information, caution and care will see you through your holiday without any health mishaps.

The Delhi Belly

A little bout of diarrhea affects many people while traveling far away from home. This is due to foreign bacteria in food or water. These bacteria take some getting used to, so your bowels need some time to adjust. This is treatable with medicines. If you are prone to diarrhea,

• Carry a bottle of safe drinking water whenever you go out.
• Avoid street food, especially if it’s not hygienic.
• Carry some medicines in your baggage to treat/avoid vomits and diarrhea.
• Amoebic Dysentery should be treated by a doctor immediately. Symptoms include bloody stools. Liver complications can result if not treated immediately.

Urine Infections

Dark/cloudy urine, bloody urine, burning sensation while urinating, not being able to urinate, leaking urine etc are a few symptoms of urinary tract infections.

• Drinking lots of water/cranberry juice helps flush out the bacteria.
• Be careful about using public toilets as bacteria spread through unhygienic toilets.
• Wipe from “front to back” after bowel movement.
• Do not hold urine. Urinate as frequently as you need to.

PMS

Pre-menstrual symptoms or PMS varies from person to person. Most women experience depression along with stomach cramps and pain in lower back/legs. The problem is that PMS intensifies while traveling. The change in your routine and the stress of traveling, sightseeing, rail/road journey, sitting in one position for long etc affect you in a bad way, especially if you are about to have your period.

• Carry your painkillers or balms or whatever you use to deal with these problems.
• Try to meditate or practice yoga for 15-30 minutes in the morning.
• Get adequate rest.

Yeast Infections

Soreness of the vagina and vulva, itching in and around the crotch, thick and whitish discharge, difficulty in urinating, bad odor and rashes are a few symptoms of yeast infections.

• Try to avoid tight or nylon clothes and underwear. Dress in cool cotton clothes.
• Change out of exercise tracks and wet swimwear as soon as possible.
• Avoid scented body products like tampons, pads, body baths and body sprays.
• Avoid hot baths and douching.

If You Are Pregnant

Are you pregnant? If yes, you need to be extra cautious while traveling. The second trimester is an ideal time to travel or holiday. The nausea is too bad in the first, and the risk of premature delivery is too high in the third. In fact, many airlines have restrictions about traveling in final month or so of pregnancy.

Before you make any traveling plans, discuss in detail with your doctor. Remember, you may not be able to take medications and vaccinations, so you need to be more careful.

These are the most common health concerns of women while traveling. It is also noteworthy that women should also be careful about catching STDs while traveling. So be sure to avoid unprotected sex while holidaying!!!