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Tips For Traveling With Respiratory Pathology

Summer is synonymous with heat and vacations. It seems difficult not to associate these two terms with the summer season.

 

Planning

Reports and medication.

First of all it is essential that you inform your doctor about your plans. Better than anyone, he will be able to tell you if your plans are appropriate to your state of health, evolution of the disease... At no time will he recommend anything that is going to harm you, quite the contrary, he is there to watch over your health.

Whenever you travel, regardless of where you go, it is recommended that you carry with you an updated medical report and a sufficient quantity of medication and/or the necessary prescriptions for its acquisition, so that you do not run out of your treatment at any time. It is better if you have plenty but, just in case, ask your doctor for information on possible substitutes for your medication, especially if you go abroad.

Do not forget to bring your health card if you travel through Spain or the necessary health accreditation when you travel abroad.

It is essential that you have located the health centers of the place where you are going so that you can go in an emergency.

If you use oxygen you will have to do different procedures with your supply company, do not forget.

Where can you go on a trip?

It is very important that you know that it is advisable for a respiratory patient to go to places with an altitude higher than 1500 m due to the lack of air and oxygenation that this altitude brings with it. It is also not recommended that you not go to a place with extreme temperatures, especially in the months when these are more accentuated, or to places with high environmental pollution.

Between choosing the beach or the mountains, it depends on your tastes and the characteristics of your illness. For example, if you suffer from an allergy to humidity you should avoid the coastal area, if it is to animals, try not to go to rural houses with animals and if it is to pollen, do not go to areas where its concentration is higher, if you are asthmatic, areas with more humidity will be beneficial... For all respiratory patients there is no single ideal vacation spot, it all depends on the characteristics of each person, which is why your doctor can help you choose the best destination.

Be careful with the plugs!

In some foreign countries the voltage of the plugs is different from that used in Spain, if you have to use a device that has to be plugged in (CPSP, oxygen concentrators...) bring the necessary adapters.

In what means of transport do we make the trip?

The means of transport that has the most contraindications is the plane, so be sure to consult your doctor about whether it is advisable to use it. Keep in mind that you must bring the necessary medication to use during the flight and a little more in case there are delays, always accompanied by an updated report. The rest will go in the suitcase, protect it from possible damage.

If you have to carry and/or use during the flight devices such as CPAP-BIPAP, oxygen therapy equipment, ventilator... you will have to inform the airline and accompany it with an updated medical report and a certificate from the supplying company. Do not forget to declare it at customs if you go abroad so that there are no problems when you return, especially.

One of the most indicated means of transport is the car. Try to have correct air conditioning, prevent any of the passengers from smoking inside the vehicle and travel with the windows closed.

The car is a very comfortable way to travel with oxygen, there are devices that can be plugged into the car's cigarette lighter, so its use is possible. In this case, it would be necessary to have a window slightly open to avoid the accumulation of oxygen and you should never smoke since there is a danger of explosion. Do not put the concentrator in the trunk, it cannot be exposed to high temperatures.

To travel by train, keep in mind that you have to inform the railway company if you are carrying oxygen. Find out if you are going to be able to plug in the device, if the trip is long you will need it. It is also recommended that you bring some warm clothing since the air conditioning is not usually well regulated.

If you are going to travel by bus, keep in mind the same considerations as with the train. If you carry oxygen, keep in mind that in this environment it will be very difficult for you to be able to plug it in.

And finally, the boat can be a good means of transport. Many cruise companies allow the use of portable oxygen concentrators. As in other means of transport, you have to inform the shipping company of this need and bring the relevant reports.

If you have thought about your destination, your doctor's permission and all the necessary paperwork, there is only one thing left for you, PACK YOUR SUITCASE! Happy Holidays!

Eva Marotto, respiratory physiotherapist and Eleanor Perez, health journalist.