Love travel? Not sure how you will cope? Below are some issues I have encountered travelling with a chronic illness and how I dealt with them.
1. Getting safe and healthy food options – This is especially difficult with allergic restrictions, a weak immune system adds to the difficulties due to fears of food poisoning. I find it helpful at the beginning of each day to stop at a convenience store, buy a big bottle of water, some snacks, and a healthy breakfast for the day. That way no matter where I end up there should be something in the backpack I could eat. I have often resorted to a sugary drink for carbohydrates rather than risk the available options while travelling, being prepared can prevent having to choose such an unhealthy option. Be sure to stay hydrated even if you cannot get a safe food source (drink bottled water when overseas, even healthy people should not drink the tap water in a foreign country).
2. Getting enough nutrients – Not a huge issue if you’re careful, but travelling often means eating lots of junk. It’s a good idea to make sure you sit down for at least one meal every day and make it a good nutritious one. Bringing along supplementation is also a good idea, just in case your diet isn’t its best. A simple multivitamin is probably ok, or you can bring along vitamins that are likely to be an issue, such as zinc, magnesium, iron, and B complex. Multivitamin drinks are often available and can give you a boost if you haven’t brought anything along.
3. Seeing the sights without walking miles - I find this nearly impossible with the type of travelling I do. It helps to have regular rests, it slows down the trip, but there are often places you want to take in so its good to stop at; or it can simply be a good excuse to sit down in a nice cafe for a cuppa. Always use elevators/escalators wherever possible even if you’re not tired. Spend the money on public transport or taxis if it’s an option, in cities it usually is, there shouldn’t be a need to walk too far at once most of the time (always exceptions, even in a museum you can end up many hours on your feet). Organised tours will likely have less walking than travelling independently; it may be a good idea to notify the tour guide of your limitations if you are on one.
4. Keeping within your own limits - This is difficult, travel is exciting, and there is always the feeling ‘I may never do this again’ so there’s a tendency to push yourself. Some things may be worth pushing yourself for; others may not. It’s best to choose the worthwhile battles, always consider if what you are about to do is worth the consequences.
5. Getting enough sleep – This is hard to do when your on the go, but in the least it’s good to get quality sleep. Staying in places with comfortable beds, heating (if it’s cold) and quiet streets, can help make sure the sleep you do get is quality. If necessary get a prescription for sleeping tablets before you travel, rest is very important.
6. Pain management – I find myself often not controlling the pain while I travel, simply because masking the pain may lead me to push myself too far and burn myself out. I use the pain as an indicator of when to slow down. I don’t however recommend this; pain is draining and takes away from the holiday. Get a script for pain relief before you travel, be sure to keep all medications in its original packaging so it can be easily identified by yourself and by others if need be. This also protects you at customs if travelling overseas so it can be identified as prescribed medication.
7. Travel with companions – If possible, don’t travel alone. Having others around you that know about your health issues means that if you get really sick they can take care of you. Also, companions can help make travel easier, by helping with bags, getting food and drink for you if you need a rest, helping you with medications if you’re very ill.
8. Choose holiday types/destinations that are appropriate – It’s hard to have to accept that some destinations are not ideal when you have a chronic illness, but it is something you should do to get the most out of holidays. If you are immune compromised avoid locations that put you at high risk for illness’s such as malaria. Touring is fun, but if your health isn’t up to it, it’s reasonable to choose a more restful type holiday.
Most importantly, have fun!
