Building An Authoritative Travel Blog

Authoritative blogs seem all the rage at the moment but what exactly is an " Authoritative Travel Blog ?" Well my understanding of the matter is it is a blog that is not only very informative to the readers but that the information comes from authoritative type people in connection with what they are writing about.

Hopefully my articles below will give an insight on travel and travel related experiences from all over the world from many authoritative writers as they have been there and done that.

Articles will be and are published often and this means current travel experiences and up to date places to visit. If you have also visited these places or wish to comment then please do so remembering this blog is intended to family orientated visitors so please be respectful.

I have seen many fears raised through my article site and feel that any traveller today that, for one reason or another, decides against travel insurance then they are possibly being a little short sighted. We do not want our boats to sink but are happy to carry life rafts. travel insurance is a similar idea. We do not wish to ever claim on it but if things go wrong as they sometimes do it is a benifit to have the insurance.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Flights - Can They Cause You Medical Risks When On A Vacation?

By Dorothy Yamich

Many airline passengers develop some medical problems that are usually minor when they fly on commercial airlines. However, these symptoms may sometimes develop into more serious medical conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, which can quickly become life threatening.

The following paragraph lists some of the common in-flight medical symptoms.

The typical in-flight symptoms you may experience are nasal congestion, ear-popping, dehydration, headaches, diarrhea and constipation, loss of appetite (may be caused by the in-flight food), light-headedness, coordination problems, inability to concentrate, confusion, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, sweating, swollen lower legs and feet, and motion sickness. Some of these symptoms may also be associated with jet lag. In addition, jet lag can affect your sense of orientation in terms of place and time. Your sense of well-being can also be disrupted.

Some medical symptoms can be reduced or eliminated by doing a few simple things.

By drinking plenty of water, juice, or soda, every half hour or so can help to prevent dehydration and dryness in the throat, nose and eyes. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided or consumed in moderation as they can disrupt sleep patterns and cause dehydration. Chewing gum can help prevent your ears from getting plugged. Using a comfortable inflatable neck pillow can prevent getting a stiff or sore neck. Using eye shades can make it easier to sleep on a long flight and wearing ear plugs can reduce the constant cabin noise. Ask a flight attendant for a blanket to help keep you warm. Its a good idea to turn off the overhead air nozzle above your seat to prevent cold air blowing down on top of you.

Most peoples bodies tend to swell when they fly, so wearing loose clothing may help to relieve the swelling. It will also add to your in flight comfort. If you can, avoid salty foods. Excess salt in your body contributes to water retention which can also cause your body to swell when you fly.

Jet lag can also be a major problem when you fly. You may be able to lessen the effects of jet lag by adjusting your sleeping and eating patterns a few days before your flight to better reflect the time zone when you will arrive at your destination. This will take some discipline but it is well worth trying, as it can really make a difference.

There are some more things that you can do to reduce the effects of jet lag. If you can, try and catch a flight that arrives at your vacation destination in the daylight hours. Immediately fit into this new time zone and avoid going to bed. If you are feeling tired and wish to take a short snooze, then do it in a well-lit place. In the evening or at night, sleep in a darkened room. The darkness will quickly prepare your brain for sleep. Try to avoid watching television, or using a computer as their screens are bright and can easily over-stimulate your brain. It is not a good idea to consume alcohol or any drinks that contain caffeine such as soda and coffee, or eat chocolate, until your symptoms of jet lag wear off, as alcohol and food products that contain caffeine can disrupt your sleep.

Generally, most travelers arent aware that they will only start to experience symptoms of jet lag as they exit their plane. Thats the time when air passengers biological clocks start making internal adjustments inside their bodies to more closely coincide with the local time at their vacation destination. If commercial airline travelers cross one, or even two time zones, they can usually adjust quite quickly. However, if theyre in poor health, or not feeling up to par just before they fly, then jet lag may cause them to feel worse.

What is DVT, or deep vein thrombosis?

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is caused by a blood clot that forms in the lower leg. If the clot breaks off, it can travel to the lungs which can then be fatal. This is a true life threatening medical emergency.

The most common symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are pain, redness, and swelling in the leg. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious health problem for travelers, especially when they fly. Recent research shows that an airline passenger can be at three times the risk of developing this life threatening condition when compared to the general population.

Here are some things that you can do to reduce the odds of developing this deadly condition. You should avoid crossing your legs as this cuts off the circulation in them and dramatically raises the risk of DVT. You can increase your circulation when you wear loose fitting clothing and avoid tight fitting socks or stockings Be sure to change your sitting position frequently, move your legs every so often when in the sitting position, and get up and walk back and forth down the aisle. Try and sit in an aisle seat so you can get up frequently and walk around without disturbing your fellow passengers. This will help with the circulation in your legs and reduce the odds that you will develop deep-vein thrombosis.

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1 comment:

Unknown said...

Jet lag? High protein breakfasts and lunches, followed by low carbohydrate dinners will also help. Protein gives you 4-5 hours of energy and low carbs give you about 1 hour of energy followed by a drop in energy. The better to stay awake during the day and fall asleep at night at your new destination.

More info about coffee and tea to help trick body clocks into a new time zone quickly can be found in Dr. Charles F. Ehret's updated book, The Cure for Jet Lag. (He advises against sleeping pills and stimulants. He finds they prolong recovery from jet lag.)

People seem to have forgotten about his research (paid for by the US Gov) and pharmaceutical companies don't want to remind you -- for obvious reasons.