What Helps to Make a Stress less Vacation?
Vacations are supposed to get you away for some fun, enjoyment, relaxation, and the stresses of everyday living. You no doubt will fulfill your desires for the perfect get-a-way. However, no matter if your vacation is overseas, or at home anywhere in the United States, you need to plan on taking a few over-the-counter medical items with you just in case you or your family comes down with something somewhere. Taking your vacation pharmacy avoids the hassles of hunting for drug stores in areas you are not familiar with.
Beware of Unfamiliar Foods and Water
Traveling to different parts of the United States and abroad means that you are drinking water that your body is not used to drinking and you eat foods that are different from what you normally eat.
Even if you stick to foods you normally eat, foods are prepared differently across the United States and abroad. Foods are also prepared differently with ingredients that you may not normally use. And you may eat foods that you do not normally eat.
These small changes in drinking water and food may seem insignificant, but they can create some havoc on your body. These changes may or may not affect you or your family members. Maybe these changes affect one person in your family, but no one else. Also, consider the location you are going for your vacation. Is the atmosphere, altitude, and climate different?
Every Person Reacts Differently
Nobody’s physical makeup is the same. Your body is unique and wonderfully made which means everyone reacts differently to changes. The bottom line is to be prepared when you travel by packing some over-the-counter essentials. Never allow a monkey to throw a wrench in your well-planned vacation. There are at least nine (maybe more) essentials that you need to pack for your next vacation.
Eating and drinking differently can cause you a stomach upset such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and indigestion. These pesky illnesses and interfere with your vacation and set you back a few hours or a few days.
Nine Classes of Must Pack Health Needs
Be sure to pack certain classes of over-the-counter vacation essentials. You never want to have to hunt for a drugstore or take the time to drive through areas you are not familiar with to purchase some of the following.
The nine items you should always take with you on vacation can be classified as nine groups of items as some items may include a group of things such as a basic first aid kit. It only makes sense that you pack some of the following to be prepared.
You may have specific medical supplies that you use every day. You want to make sure you pack everything you need. However, here is a list of over-the-counter items that you might want to consider also.
- Diarrhea, Constipation – Antidiarrhea and laxative
- Nausea and Vomiting – Travel sickness – Draminine, Meclizine hydrochloride (Bonine), (fast-acting) Nauzine
- Heartburn, Indigestion – Pepcid, Nexium, Omeprazole, Tums, Rolaids
- Different vacation destinations can mean different types of allergies can hit you all at once with a runny nose, sneezing, headache, watery and itchy eyes – Antihistamine tablets
- Coughs can hit you in an instant with all types of issues like minor colds and allergies – Take your favorite package of cough drops.
- Pain relief medication – Analgesic tablets
- Hives and rash – Anti-itch cream
- Coming down with (A) cold and (B) flu symptoms can hit you at any time – Cold and flu preparation, vitamin C tablets, cough tablets
- Cuts and small minor skin wounds – pack a small first aid kit with the following: Antiseptic ointment, antiseptic solution, gauze pads, Band-aids, wound tape, steri-strips, scissors, tweezers, burn cream, safety pins, splint sticks, sun blocker, antibacterial, antifungal cream, hydrocortisone cream, eye lubricant and wash, and thermometer.
Most Necessary Essentials
As an added note, if you take any prescribed medications, be sure to get all medication refilled before you leave, making sure that you have enough of your medication while on vacation. Make sure your medical insurance covers you when traveling in the USA or abroad. Make a list of all of your medications, dosages, and times. Pack your advanced directives and insurance cards.
Some vacationers may include a digital blood pressure cuff in their medication that relies on their daily blood pressure reading. If you are a diabetic, make sure you take your glucometer and enough test strips to carry you through until you get home.
