Things you should do when you travel with medical conditions

There are many medical conditions that impact your life. But that doesn’t mean you should forego the chance to travel. Exploring the world is a great way to spend time with loved ones and enrich your own life. The fact that you have a medical condition shouldn’t necessarily keep you from living life to the fullest.

Some conditions can be very serious and even minor conditions can lead to complications. When you travel, you’re also entering a new space with possible risks that you don’t know about. It’s important to do your research ahead of time so that you’re prepared to deal with your health on the road.

Medical conditions can range from permanent to temporary. Pregnancy is a medical condition that can be greatly impacted by travel. In fact, many airlines have rules about flying in the last trimester of pregnancy which may make travel especially difficult.

This list of tips can give you a great head start on planning your next trip without compromising your safety or health.

Tips When Traveling with a Medical Condition

• Talk to Your Doctor First. If you have any ongoing or current medical conditions, you should discuss travel with your doctor before making travel arrangements. They will often have excellent advice on how to safely travel and may alert you to reasons you shouldn’t visit that location.
• Make Sure You Have All Medications/Tools (especially CBD oil). If you’re traveling and have diabetes, for instance, it’s important that you take all the tools you need to test your blood sugar and monitor your levels, as well as medication. It’s better if you pack these items in a carry on bag so that there’s no chance that you will be stuck in another location without it. What if your bags get lost? It’s rare, but it does happen.
• Find a Local Hospital in Your Travel Location. If you have a serious condition, it’s a good idea to research local hospitals in the area. This way you can make sure you know the name and how to get there in case of any emergency. You’ll also be able to review information about the hospital so you can pick the best one and feel more confident if you do need the care.
• Double Check Any Medical Needs for the Location. Some locations might require you to get a vaccine. This is something you should discuss with your doctor well in advance because some medical conditions may mean that you can’t have the vaccination. For instance, if you’re going through cancer treatment, your immune system may be too compromised for the vaccine.
• Verify Whether You Need a Doctor’s Note. If you have an implanted device, such as a pacemaker, you may need a doctor’s note and it may be necessary that you don’t go through the regular security screening. There may be other reasons to carry a note from your physician, as well.
• Have Your Medical Records with You / Wear Any Medical Alert Bracelet. Today, you can carry your medical records right on your cell phone. This way any medical professional who needs to treat you can easily see what your condition is, past treatments, and any allergies or underlying conditions they wouldn’t be aware of on initial consult. If you have an alert bracelet it’s always best to wear it for the same reason.
• Come Prepared for Your Physical Limitations. You won’t be able to just go home and pick up whatever you forgot. It’s important that you take everything that you need with you. This might include particular snacks if you need to watch your blood sugar or devices to make walking more comfortable.

Most medical conditions don’t need to preclude you from travel. It is important that you take some precautions for a safer, more pleasant journey.