Summer is traditionally a time for travel! Are you planning any vacations – near or far – in the coming months? Now is the time to enjoy life, so don’t let health issues get in the way of your trip around the world or even the weekend visiting the grandchildren. Just follow these helpful travel tips and you’ll be on your way to a memorable vacation.

Medications
If you are dependent on medication to control your health conditions, you’ll want to make sure you plan well ahead. They last thing you want is to run out of your medication in the middle of the Amazon (or even Disney World). Get your prescriptions renewed ahead of time and bring enough for the duration of your trip, plus a little extra. You never know what your vacation might entail.

If any of your medications are temperature-dependent, you’ll want to plan for this, too. A wide-mouthed, insulated thermos is very handy. Just fill the bottle with ice ahead of time to cool it. Once cool, dry it and place medications inside. They should stay cool until you arrive at your destination.

Insurance Cards and Other Health Documentation
When it comes to visits to the doctor or hospital on your vacation, it’s good to plan for the worst and hope for the best. That said, you’ll need to make sure you have any insurance and prescription cards with you, as well as any other medical records or documentation that may be handy to an unfamiliar physician you may have to see if it becomes necessary for you to seek medical care.

Carry-On Bag
Medications and insurance cards should be carried in your carry-on bag. The airlines do their best to make sure your checked bags arrive at the correct destination with you, but things happen from time to time. You will not want to be without these most important items.

Inform Others of Your Condition
You may find it prudent to inform TSA agents, flight attendants or other officials of your medical conditions. If you experience a medical emergency mid-travel, it will be helpful for them to have fore-knowledge of your conditions. They will be able to act faster and more efficiently to help if they are aware of any conditions up front.

Dress Comfortably
Travel has a way of being uncomfortable as it is. The more comfortably you dress, the less discomfort you’ll experience. Seamless socks from SmartKnit will help prevent your feet from becoming irritated, especially if your travel will include a lot of walking through airports. Compression Travel Socks from Therafirm are also a good choice to help prevent deep vein thrombosis or DVT – a dangerous condition that travelers are at risk for.

And of course, we always recommend that you follow a doctor’s instructions for any health condition. But, we hope these tips will help you enjoy a memorable summer vacation with minimal risk to your health. Bon Voyage!