It’s true that no medical research till date have showed any evidence supporting the fact that garlic can help in getting rid of jet lag. However, there are several instances, when consuming garlic by combining it with a warm cup of milk has effectively controlled the signs of jet lag. Let us how to use garlic as a remedy for jet lag.

• Take a knife and mash a garlic clove. If you use a chef’s knife, the process of discarding the peel will become a little easier for you. Mashing the garlic cloves will ensure that more nutrients are preserved as the cells of garlic do not get as much exposed to the surrounding atmosphere as they might have been if the garlic clove was sliced or chopped. Chopping and slicing of the garlic cloves might result in oxidization of the sulfides present in them.
• Take a cupful of milk and put it into a pan; add the mashed garlic into it. Now leave it on the gas for 5 to 6 minutes, keeping the flame low or medium. You must make sure that the milk is kept on the flame for a time period that allows the garlic to get infused into the milk, but does not result in even slightest evaporation of the milk.
• Once the heating process is completed perfectly, pour the milk into a cup and drink it. The ideal time to try this remedy is at bedtime. However, you must consult your physician before trying out this remedy to know whether any of the medication you are taking currently interacts with garlic.

•   For preventing sea sickness while traveling on a boat, one must sit in the front part of the vehicle. According to experts, when a person can see the land or gaze at the sky, he is unlikely to experience sea sickness.

•   While traveling on water one must keep enough resources of medication with him for avoiding sea sickness. You will need to take these medications before experiencing the signs of sea sickness. Some people are advised to take these medications even hours before actually starting their journey on water. Some examples of oral medication prescribed for avoiding sea sickness include cyclizine, meclizine, promethazine and dimenhydriniate. Generally doctors do not recommend these medications to kids below the age of 12 years as they may result in temporary drowsiness.

•   There are certain foods that might worsen the sea sickness symptoms. You must stop eating those foods from a few days before starting the journey and continue avoiding them during the trip on water. One example of such food item is the greasy, spicy or fatty foods. Overeating must also be avoided during this phase.

•   There are some herbs that can ease the symptoms of sea sickness significantly; for instance: black horehound, ginger, mint etc. You can take these herbs in any form, as tea, capsule or candy. However, consult your doctor before trying any of the herbal remedies for sea sickness.

Only a good deal of things needs to be taken care of, few of which are explained.

The foremost thing is to get advised from the doctor if she can travel; if yes, where can she travel. Not alone, but a pregnant woman must travel with a minimum of one companion. A pregnant lady needs to take care and understand well that traveling might adversely modify the comfort levels she needs while pregnancy and which she can avail at home.

Pregnant travelers can face the most typical health problems while out. These problems don’t differ in any way from a normal pregnant lady’s problems, except that they can aggravate during traveling. Some of these problems could be heartburn, fatigue, indigestion, cramps in legs, constipation, increased urination frequency, other discharge from the vagina, and even hemorrhoids. Before leaving home for a holiday, a pregnant females needs to make sure that she discusses these probable emergencies with her doctor and the measure she could take to evade or treat them.

Situations may arrive when a need is felt of immediate medical attention. Being aware of the signs indicating immediate attention include bleeding from the vaginal, passing of tissue or clots from the vagina, unusual pregnancy cramps and pain in the abdomen, severe contractions, rupturing of membranes, excessive swelling of the legs and severe pain in them, traumatizing headaches, and bizarre visual errors.

Other usual precautions include maintaining a healthy and hygienic diet, avoiding excess exertion and completing the required hours of rest and sleep.

The need for this sort of insurance would depend on how much you think you’re going to need medical care while you’re on this current trip? The second question that needs consideration is – Will I be able to pay for it, if say, an accident or medical emergency arises?

In the case of the elderly travelers and those with chronic medical conditions, travel health insurance would be a good idea.

Expenses of Medical Care:

Before you jump onto the bandwagon of purchasing travel health insurance coverage, you might want to consult your current health insurer. A lot of companies mention that they will take care of ‘reasonable and customary’ medical costs, even if they’re incurred in other countries. This would mean that such coverage needn’t be duplicated in a travel insurance policy.

A lot of domestic insurance companies might not really pay for you to be evacuated out of a foreign country, when there is a medical emergency at hand. According to the statistics of the U.S. State Department, the costing for an evacuation will come close to the $50,0o0 range. If you do not think you’ll be able to afford that kind of a cost for something as simple as an automobile accident, you might want to purchase some additional insurance.

Older People Traveling:

Older people need to take particular care to note that Medicare will not pay for medical care that is needed outside the purview of U.S.A. This would mean that they’d be on their own, unless they invest in a travel health insurance policy.

Risks of Falling Ill:

Traveling abroad could take a toll on anyone and everyone. There are factors like changes in climate that have to be taken into consideration. In other parts of the world, the lack of clean sanitation and hygienic water supply could add to the problems. The State Department suggests that anyone who suffers from a medical condition like a heart problem or even a known allergy should try and carry a letter from their doc, which describes their condition.

Immunization is another key aspect of travel. Get your immunizations done based on the region you’re planning to visit.

Health Insurance and Travel Insurance Can Be Combined:

You could, in addition to your travel health insurance, also consider travel insurance. This would mean that it will cover even aspects like lost luggage, cancelled flights, or even hotel bankruptcy. This might help in covering some of your costs.

Occurrence:

This disease is known to majorly affect parts of the Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of tropical South America. In both these areas, it is known to be intermittently epidemic and even endemic. Most cases of this condition are reported in Africa and there are a variety of vectors present here which help in the transmission of the virus.

In South America, cases are most frequently seen among young men who are known to have occupational exposure to the mosquito vectors which are generally forest-dwellers.  The worst affected areas would include Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, French Guiana and parts of Peru.

Travelling Risk:

The risk level for a traveler will be determined by a number of factors – the travel destination, immunization status, season during which the travel is taking place, the duration of exposure and the recreational activities being undertaken during the time frame.  A very small portion of yellow fever cases are known to be reported and this is generally because the higher proportion of cases are known to occur in remote areas and they lack the specific facilities to diagnose the condition.

During what may be called ‘interepidemic periods’, low level of transmissions do not get noticed by the public health surveillance; and this would lead to an ‘epidemiologic silence’; and this might cause for the provision of a false security that it is safe for travelers to enter and exit the region  without getting too many checkups done, the kinds that would have been mandatory if they’d noticed the chances of an epidemic of yellow fever breaking out.

In the case of South America, the numbers of cases seen are way lower than that of Africa. This is because the mosquitoes that are responsible for the transmission of the virus are known to not come in contact with the humans. Plus, the indigenous folks are known to be high on immunity to the virus.

Travelling to rural Western Africa could put people at a higher risk of developing yellow fever. The most dangerous time of the year would be during the latter part of the rainy seasons and the early part of the dry seasons (July – October).

Seasickness is nothing but a form of motion sickness that is characterized by nauseates feelings. In some extreme cases, an individual might suffer dizziness. This usually happens after spending long hours on a watercraft. Many times, it takes place due to rocking motion of craft. Certain individuals are susceptible to such conditions even if they step their feet on a boat, whereas some people are immune to all these symptoms. Well, some of them also experience seasickness after watching any seashore on television.

Well, this form of sickness can be dangerous and usually makes a person weaker. The individual suffering from seasickness will bring up a dangerous situation, if the person has to carry out important role such as, steering a yacht or guiding the sailor. These symptoms are dangerous especially to scuba drivers who suffer from additional symptoms such as dehydration and vomiting. The frequent swaying and motions of the sea causes excessive stimulation to the inner ear. These results in nauseate feelings and thus ruin your adventure. In this article, we will deal with prevention tips that will help you to enjoy your sea adventures. The simple measures will keep you way from seasickness.

• You can opt for anti-seasickness wristband during your sea adventures. This wristband helps to stimulate the middle nerve of your wrist, which is well-known acupuncture point.
• Ginger is the best herbs to overcome nauseate feelings. Eat fresh pieces of ginger at least 12 to 24 hours before your journey. You can carry it is as health supplement and consume as directed by physician. Dried ginger can be grounded and used in the form of powder. This powdered ginger can be sprinkled on soups and granola. Even sipping ginger tea is beneficial for health. Combine ginger powder with honey and have this mixture before going on a trip.
• Drink plenty of water prior to your journey. Always keep your body hydrated to prevent seasickness.
• Do not eat any food or drink fluid once you board on ship.
• Avoid all caffeinated, carbonated, and alcoholic drinks on ship. These all products will do no good to your health; instead, they will only encourage dehydration.
• Certain experts suggest having some food before boarding the ship. You may eat some oatmeal, bagels or crushed bread. It is said that having some food will reduce seasickness.
• Settle down at place, where you may experience least sickness. Generally, settle down at the center of deck. Avoid visiting underneath deck as, the fumes and hot air will do no good to your health.
• Suck on lemon continuously or you may even have ginger or lemon candies, as the boat starts moving. These candies will prevent you from nausea feeling.
• Stay in fresh air and enjoy the sightseeing of shore

Always consult with your doctor about seasickness before going to sea voyage. Enjoy your vacation with beautiful sea waves and gushing water that sweeps over your feet.

Usually, women are asked to take complete rest in pregnancy. But, at the same time you cannot stop traveling. Traveling during pregnancy can sometimes be tedious and tiresome. It is essential to enjoy your pregnancy, but be safe while enjoying. The things that scare during traveling are bustling airports , heavy luggage, and being seated for long hours makes your journey boring.

Excessive stress and extreme weakness can cause problems during pregnancy. Thus, it is better to take some precautions while traveling. You need to stay safe and healthy as, you may not get sufficient help everywhere. Enjoy your excursion with your baby with some simple precautions.

• The very first thing to remember is to stay safe. Do not risk your health while traveling.
• Report your obstetrician about your traveling plans. Generally, the common problem of pregnancy occurs during first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Usually, the second trimester is regarded as safest months for traveling.
• If you have just gone through second or trimester vaginal bleeding, high blood pressure, diabetes type 1 or type 2, iron deficiency anemia, carrying multiples, or premature pain in the past then it is advised to stay home. Give a second thought for your traveling plans.
• Traveling through airways is safe for most women till the initial thirty four weeks. Well, the condition can be opted if they are not suffering from pregnancy problems.
• Do not push yourself even if some airlines might permit you to travel in your later weeks of pregnancy.
• Always get proper information of the destination you are traveling. Find out nearest hospital near your location. Pack your medications properly and carry your medical records for safer side. Keep with your regular essential so that they can be easily found.
• In your normal excursion , water skiing or windsailing can be immense fun. But, you might  not enjoy with same intensity during pregnancy. In fact don’t even try to carry out any physical activity that will risk your pregnancy. You need to maintain good amount of energy throughout the journey, thus preserve your energy.
• Do not swim in ocean- swimming in ocean will multiply the risk of womb or vaginal infections. This may cause pre- mature delivery. Your child is at higher risk of under- developed during premature pregnancy.
• Drink plenty of water and natural fluids while you are flying or traveling. You need to avoid dehydration in pregnancy. Dehydration can cause some serious problems such as contraction of uterus, stomach cramps, or infections. Do not drink caffeinated and carbonated drinks. Replace them with fresh fruit or vegetable juices. In fact stay away from even ice cubes. Always carry a bottle of boiled and filtered water. Do not drink water from any tap or common water tanks.
• You may carry anti- nausea pills while traveling. Consuming anti-nausea pills is considered safe during pregnancy.
• Wear loose comfortable clothes while traveling. Close fit clothes will create problem while breathing.
• Dress according to season. If it is summer, carry umbrellas, hats or scarf. Wrap yourself in full jackets during winters. And avoid exposure to extreme heat or chillness.
• Opt for flat and comfortable shoes during traveling.
• Carry proper nutritional snack diet in your bags. Eat fresh fruits more during your journey. They are loaded with nutrition as well as they keep you away from severe infections.
• You may have brisk walk within your plane cabin to avoid stiff joints.
• And lastly buckle your seat belt bellow your belly.

With such simple measures, you can definitely  enjoy your vacation with your unborn child. These can be the best memories with your unborn baby. Stay safe while traveling in your pregnancy days.

No doubt that this season is enjoyable for traveling, but it can be even challenging and especially if you are traveling to dry countries. In certain countries, summers may be very dry and humid. Thus, you need to take some extra care. Individuals who are suffering from cardiovascular diseases, chronic health issues, overweight, and diabetes should take additional precautions while traveling. Many times we travel along children, who are more prone to infections and contagious diseases. The weak immune system makes them more susceptible to numerous infections. Thus, they should care properly.

Warm sunrays gives you pleasurable feeling, but these sunrays can be equally dangerous and harmful. The ultraviolet rays emitted by sun are responsible for numerous skin ailments. This disease can create critical conditions such as skin cancer. These rays cause ailments such as skin infection, skin inflammation, heatstroke, and dehydration. When you are traveling, most of the time you are exposed to sunrays. This can cause heatstroke that leads to reddening of skin, dryness of skin, faintness, soreness of throat, irritation, low grade fever, and severe headaches. Thus, to enjoy your summer vacation happily, you need to take good care of your health. Traveling will be no longer fun, if you are not in good state of health.

Hence we are providing you some useful tips that will keep you healthy and fit throughout your travel.

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Try to consume at least ten to twelve glass of water in entire day. While traveling carry bottled water- do not drink water from any tap and open spaces. As there is higher risk of water getting contaminated during summer, it is better to drink boiled and filtered water. Not every country has good source of drinking water.
• Avoid the consumption of fatty or junk food in the journey. Grab good nutritional food items that contain good amount fiber, proteins, and vitamins. Do not consume food that is prepared in unhygienic surroundings.
• Consume ample of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetable. Try to have steamed vegetables that sustain all nutrients in your food. Choose some seasonal fruits and vegetable that is suitable for the weather.
• Eat fruits that are rich source of vitamin C and contains ample of water content. They equalize the level of water content in your body with vitamins.
• Drink ample of natural fluids while you are traveling. Cut down the intake of caffeinated and carbonated drinks. Club sodas and slush are on top chart list of teenagers. Replace them with fresh fruit juice, coconut water, herbal teas, milkshakes, and buttermilk.
• Wear light cotton fabric that will soak your sweat and keep you fresh. Try to avoid tight clothing.
• Carry umbrella, hats, or scars to cover your head from harmful sunrays. Heavy exposure to harmful rays will cause severe headaches due to heatstroke.
• Pack medical first aid in you bag and include some pain relievers for safety measures. Even carry hand sanitizers to clean your hands.
• Keep some sweet candies handy to avoid low blood pressure due to excessive heat.
• Always wear loose fitted comfortable shoes while traveling.
• Do not over pack your bag. Keep it light with some essential material such as wipes, maps, and few pair of clothes.

Adapt these simple tips to have wonderful journey. Summers are not bad if you take some extra precautions to stay away from various diseases. Go for long walk while sun is retiring from his job and enjoy the scenic view.

We may not like the food or it may be not be suitable for our health. Thus, it is anytime better to carry our own food. I completely agree that certain food items are very tempting. But, we need to control our temptation if those food items are not suitable for us.

Especially, when kids have their school picnic, let them carry food from home. The school picnic is definitely without parents so, kids get freedom to consume any thing. Sometimes they mess up eating anything junk which might be allergic or unsuitable for them. Additionally, there is no fix time for their hunger to strike. Thus, it is anytime better to keep some additionally food with them. You may pack some healthier and tastier food items for their picnic.

Food items that you can pack with them are:

• Pack some fruits like oranges, apples, strawberries, mulberries, grapes, and pear. Peel and slice them in an air tight box. Don’t pack easily perishable fruits like banana, papaya, and figs. Club them and prepare some tasty salad.
• You may even pack applesauce with fruit cups.
• Carry good amount of dry fruits like cashews, almonds, walnuts, dried figs, raisins, and apricots.
• But let this nuts be unsalted. They are good source of energy and boost your stamina.
• Even chocolate bars with nuts or healthy bars are also good during traveling.
• Pop tarts are also best thing to enjoy and relish.
• Pack a box of cereals or corn flakes. Flakes that are flavored with chocolate, honey, or fruit loops are also good to eat.
• Bottle up some fruits juice that will your kids hydrated. Even carry bottle filled with water.
• Bread and jam are favorites of every kid.
• Muffins filled jams

Well apart from these; remember some tips before packing their food.

• Always pack fresh and unprocessed food items. Especially, fruits should be fresh and juicy. Avoid canned and frozen fruits.
• Fruit cups or muffins should be prepared a day before.
• Make a note of things that has to be packed a day before.
• Pack the food in Zip lock bags. Or use the containers that are air tight. Clean them properly before filling any food item in them. You may also use plastic containers to carry food.
• Do not pack any stale food or left over dessert.
• Warn kids about the food, to which they are allergic. Tell them consequences so that will refrain from those foods even if you are not around them.
• Give them good water bottles; check out if they leak when kept upside down.
• Inform them about the place where you have packed food items in their bags.
• Guide them about the location they are going to visit, and the poplar local food they might get.
• Kids love to share their meals. Thus, pack good amount of food with them.
• Before leaving once again have a look at their packing.
• Provide them plastic spoons, plates, and knifes.

I am sure when they return home; they will not complain about starving or bad food they came across. Let your kids smile with good food in their picnic.

The rate of ascent and the duration of the stay at a height directly influence the prevalence of altitude sickness, which is different in different individuals. According to a research, approximately 20 percent of people notice the mild symptoms at altitude sickness at the heights of 2200 to 2500 metres above the sea level.

You are likely to develop altitude sickness if you are fond of climbing up to 3000 to 4000 metres. According to a survey, 7 out of 50,000 tourists in Nepal die due to altitude sickness. Further, the death rate is 4 percent for climbing up to 7000 metres.

Altitude Sickness Causes

The chances of being vulnerable to altitude sickness are not dependent on a person’s fitness. This means it can affect even a sportsperson or an athlete. Altitude sickness might take place if you climb to a greater height travel rapidly and stay for more than 24 hours at the height without adequate acclimatization.

When you come in contact with the ‘thinner’ air (low oxygen pressure), the body reacts to this condition in many ways. This is actually an increase in the number of factors that affect the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity and are listed below.

• Breathing and pulse rates
• Heart’s pumping
• Size and number of red blood cells

The lack of oxygen at high altitudes leads to the following changes that result in altitude sickness.

• Raised pressure in the pulmonary (lung) circulation
• Mutations in blood ph (acidity) values
• Instability in the fluid or electrolyte (salt) balance
• Outflow and spread of blood or fluid in the nearby vessels and tissues (fluid extravasation or oedema)

Altitude Sickness Symptoms

Listed below are the symptoms of altitude sickness.

• A severe headache that does not disappear even on taking the standard painkillers
• Nausea and frequent vomiting
• Irritating giddiness
• Difficulty with balance and direction
• Frequent visual disturbances with flickering sight and unable to determine distance
• Pressure in the chest
• Fast breathing and pulse rate
• Unable to take deep or complete breath
• Swelling underneath the skin (oedema – around the eyes, ankles, and hands)
• Confusion
• Convulsions

If these symptoms are noticed, medical care must be given and the person must be carried down to the ground or to the lowest height. Some of these symptoms might be danger signals that are encountered in the first 36 hours. Above 3000 metres, nearly 50 percent of the travelers get affected, while above 5000 metres, almost all who ascend quickly without any acclimatization are influenced. These danger signals are listed below.

• An trivial headache that fades away on taking one to two headache tablets
• Nausea
• Malaise
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in sleeping

If you encounter these symptoms at the heights until 3000 metres, take rest for some days and then move further. Beyond the heights of 3500 metres, move down to 300 to 500 metres and dwell there for two days before moving further.

Acute Mountain Sickness

Acute mountain sickness refers to two serious problems of acute altitude sickness. Both tend to occur due to dwelling for about 24 to 36 hours at a too much height, say over 3500 metres. These two complications are listed below.

• HAPE
  High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (water accumulation in the lungs)
• HACE
  High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (fluid accumulation on the brain)

High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema

The symptoms of HAPE are primarily serious, which are listed below.

• Difficulty in breathing
• Bubbling noise while breathing (oedema in lungs)
• Dry cough
• Pressure in the chest
• Palpitations
• Fatigue
• Color change of lips, edges of ears, and nails to blue (cyanosed because of lack of oxygen)

Listed below are guidelines to be kept in mind on encountering such symptoms.

• Bring the patient down to the lowest possible altitude quickly using a stretcher.
• Provide oxygen by nasal catheter, an oxygen mask and bottle as Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP), or Gamow-bag.
• A quick-acting calcium antagonist (nifedipine capsules 10-20 mg) can be given followed by slow-acting nifedipine tablets of 20 mg after every six hours. However, this needs the doctor’s consent.
• An injection of Dexamethasone can be given after the physician’s approval.

High Altitude Cerebral Oedema

The symptoms of HACE are primarily serious, which are listed below.

• Rigorous headaches
• Visual problems
• Light shunning
• Irritation
• Vomiting
• Vagueness
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Convulsions

Listed below are guidelines to be kept in mind on encountering such symptoms.

• Bring the patient down to the lowest possible altitude quickly in a natal position (strapped lateral).
• Provide oxygen by an oxygen mask and bottle (CPAP) or Gamow-bag.
• An injection of Dexamethasone can be considered.
• Give a benzodiazepine such as diazepam to treat convulsions.

Prevention is Better than Cure

Listed below are certain tips on preventing altitude sickness.

• Climb slowly at higher levels and allow stay and rest for at least two to three days at a given height after 2200 metres prior to stay at greater height at night.
• Come down to the previous accustomed height if you feel uneasy or sick.
• Take plenty of liquids, three litres daily at its minimum.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid being inclined to cold.
• Consider taking acetazolamide (Diamox) of 125 mg twice 1 day prior to the ascent, on the day of ascent, and 1-2 days after the ascent. However, do not forget the suggestion of slow ascent, as even this is necessary. The drug has its own side effects that include nausea, tingling hands and feet, frequent and profuse urination, rashes, and visual problems.

People Not Suitable for High Altitudes

There are certain people who should never ascend to high altitudes. These are people with:

• Chronic heart or lung diseases such as angina pectoris, asthma, and chronic bronchitis.
• Anemia.
• Untreated blood clotting disorders.
• A past of thromboses (clots).
• HAPE or HACE.

People Who Need to Careful at High Altitudes

There are certain people who should always be alert and careful at high altitudes. These are people with:

• Treated heart or lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
• Severe diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• Sleep apnoea.
• HAPE or HACE.

This list also includes the pregnant women and children.