Travelling with Asthma - Asthmatic Travel Advice
Asthma, throughout the world, is affecting more and more people and is becoming endemic in many areas. Going abroad can add stress when it comes to being asthmatic and its important to be well prepared as the asthmatic traveller.
Asthma is easily treatable these days but can still be potentially very dangerous too.
Travel can increase the triggers of asthma
The unfortunate thing about asthma and travel is often the two can go hand in hand. Basically travel itself and being overseas can increase your exposure to the triggers of asthma.
These include;
Cold, damp, air pollution, cigarette smoke, air conditioning and most under-rated anxiety. Examples of places where you might travel and have problems would be like a Third World city like Bangkok (air pollution and dust), smoke from forest burning (such as Indonesia) and pollen emitting flora (such as places like Australia that has high counts of pollen and asthma).
Knowing when you have asthma and how to deal with it
If you feel wheezy and its coming from the chest area then there is a good chance you have asthma, particularly if you have been diagnosed with it. Mild symptoms include a tight chest, wheezing and a dry cough and these can usually be treated easily with use of a ventolin inhaler.
Severe symptons can include breatheing difficulties and inability to count up to ten aloud. Hospital emergency room treatment may be needed if the patient doesn't show any signs of recovery.
Being prepared for travel with asthma
- The number one thing to do before you travel or go on holiday is to go to your GP and seek specific country advice that could have an impact on your asthma. Along with this you should stock up on necessary inhalers so you have more than you need. Ventolin is usually available most places abroad but you should always carry more than you need because the chances of you losing them will be higher.
- Keep monitoring your peak flow even when you are on holiday and maintain correct usuage of your inhalers (ask doctor or nurse to watch you take your inhaler so you are doing it right).
- Carry some dog-tag type id if you suffer from severe asthma, with medical notes and medication such as sterioids. Having this in the language of the country you are visiting is useful too.
Best advice is to relax and enjoy your travels and not let asthma put you off going somewhere, particularly if you onlu suffer from mild cases.