There are a number of unpleasant things that can happen that have the potential to change all your carefully orchestrated vacation planning and might cause all types of problems that will not only throw you off schedule, but may also dampen your fun and those traveling with you. Therefore to mitigate any unintended consequences consider the following as a part of your vacation planning:

Renew all your prescriptions not less than one week before your trip.

Review your prescription policy for early refills.

Determine if refills are allowed and whether there are quantity restrictions. Also determine whether there will be coverage of any prescriptions written by out-of-network or foreign providers.

Make a list of all medication allegeries and what the reactions are as this may determine the type of therapy you will receive and how long it will take to recover.

Make a list of all your medications along with the number of refills and keep it near your driver's license or passport, if you are traveling abroad. This is helpful should there be an emergency.

Visit this website http://arthritis.about.com/od/ travel/a/medication_tips.htm should you run out of your medications while abroad and decide to use herbal supplements.

Ensure those traveling with you know where you are keeping the names of your medication, indications, dosages and the manufacturers in case you need to result to herbal remedies. The website below is a natural medicine comprehensive database for consumers. It should assist with the conversion process. This site also offers a plethora of medical information about medications you may be currently taking.

http://www.naturaldatabasecons umer.com/(S(2kjlxl45xnefii55os hrzdeg))/home.aspx?cs=&s=NDC

In order to enjoy your vacation and to return home rested and healthy, you should also consider whether you will be flying or driving for more than five hours. Inactivity during long trips may cause severe problems, such as "Deep-vein thrombosis" or DVT, an air-travel-related health concern that may happen when a blood clot is lodged in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg or thigh. This can cause death if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs as it has the potential for blocking an artery (pulmonary embolism.)

Whether driving or flying, take note of some of the precautions to take when you will be sedentary or for all practical purposes, immobile for more than five hours, :

A. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated drinks. According to medical experts these drinks will thickens your blood and increase platelets stickiness, which can cause blood clots. Some jet lag may be traced back to dehydration.

B. Always drink lots of water, i.e. one quarter for every five hours of flight time to prevent or combat dehydration.

C. Stand, then shift up and down on your tiptoes and back down again several times. Walk up and down the aisles once or twice every hour to keep your blood circulating.

D. So that your blood does not pool in your legs, exercise your calf muscles at least once hourly.

E. Do not under any circumstances cross your legs as that will impede circulation.

F. Change your sitting position and try to elevate your legs to prevent your muscles from stiffness.

Have a great trip!

Additional medical resources:

http://drugs.about.com/od/cost ofdrugs/a/travel_w_drugs.htm

Learn more about this author, Dossie M Terrell.
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