Posted on Tue, May. 06, 2008

Swimsuits?

Check.

Maps?

Check.

List of all the medications everyone in the family takes, plus doctors' names and contact information?

That's one that may not be on your vacation packing list.

But it should be, says Wichita physician Brenda Schewe.

"It's amazing how many people get sick at weddings and visiting people," she says. And if your mom's here from out of state, gets sick and doesn't know all her medications or doctors, her care could suffer, she says.

Here's a look at some of the things you might consider if you're traveling this summer, domestically or abroad. In addition to Schewe, who is director of the internal medicine clinic at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, we called upon Bob Hanson, public information officer for the Kansas Insurance Department, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has tons of info on travel and health (wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/).

Put it on paper

Make a list of the names of all of your doctors, as well as their contact information. Make a list of the medications everyone takes, including the dosage. Carry a copy of the prescriptions if you'll be gone an extended time. Take your insurance information.

If you're flying, carry all of this information, along with your prescription medications, with you rather than packing it in checked luggage.

High altitude

People who have asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory conditions should consider driving to higher-altitude destinations, rather than flying, to give themselves more time to adjust to decreased oxygen concentrations.

Flying

Traveling with your new baby or toddler? They don't know how to clear their Eustachian tubes. Giving them a bottle or pacifier during takeoff and landing helps keep painful pressure from building up in their ears.

Deep vein thrombosis is a possibility on longer flights or for people at increased risk of blood clots because of medication, smoking, medical conditions or obesity. To prevent these clots, don't cross your legs for long periods, drink plenty of fluids and stretch your legs and feet regularly, in your seat or by walking to the bathroom.

If you're flying with someone who requires oxygen, check with the airline: Those that allow oxygen also require you to use theirs.

Cruising

Large cruise lines meet or exceed guidelines for medical care. But most of them are foreign-registered, which means your health insurance isn't likely to cover you.

Seasickness can put a damper on your cruising. Take along over-the-counter dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine), or talk to your doctor about prescription scopolamine patches, worn behind the ear.

Insurance

Check with your insurance company before you leave, to find out what's covered out of state, out of network and out of country. If you're going abroad, check into emergency travel medical insurance or medical evacuation insurance.

You may have to pay health expenses yourself, then apply for reimbursement, so have a credit card or enough in your checking account to cover an emergency.

Traveling to Europe or going on a cruise with your parents this summer? Medicare doesn't cover health services outside the United States. That includes those foreign-registered cruise ships.

Travel health kit

Depending on where you're going and for how long, consider packing a travel health kit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of suggestions. Among them:

• Prescription medications in their original containers

• Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication

• Antihistamine

• Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine

• Anti-motion-sickness medication

• Acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen

• Antifungal and antibacterial ointments

• Hydrocortisone cream

• Insect repellent

• Sunscreen

• Basic first-aid items (adhesive bandages, gauze, ace wrap, antiseptic, tweezers)

Reach Karen Shideler at 316-268-6674 or kshideler@wichitaeagle.com.