Jet lag

The problems encountered are those of tiredness, sleep disorders and inability to concentrate.

Jet lag can't be prevented, but you can try some strategies that may reduce its effects:

Before you travel:

• change your sleep routine a few days before your departure - if you're travelling east, try going to bed an hour earlier than your usual time, and if you're travelling west, try to go to bed an hour later; the idea is to "prime" your sleeping routine with your destination in mind
• get enough sleep before you travel - flying when you're tired may make the jet lag feel worse

During the flight:

• drink plenty of fluids - ensure you're well hydrated before, during and after your flight
• rest during the flight - take short naps
• limit your caffeine consumption - avoid drinking too many caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea and cola, and avoid drinking them within a few hours of planned sleep
• avoid alcohol - eat light meals and avoid drinking alcohol as it can make the symptoms of jet lag worse. Avoid sleeping pills.
• change your watch to match the time of your new destination - this will help you adjust to your new time zone more quickly

Try to get some sleep if it's night time when you arrive at your destination. You may find using ear plugs and an eye mask useful.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) 

A relationship exists between DVT and long-haul flights, but its incidence remains very low.

(There is no more risk in economic seats than in other class seats.)

These precautions are to be taken to reduce the risk:

• maintain a high fluid intake
• avoid sedatives and alcohol
• wear loose-fitting clothes (avoid belts, jeans, close-fitting underwear)
• do mild physical exercise in your seat (contraction and massaging of calves)
• take occasional walks along the aisles, bearing safety measures in mind.
• Wear elastic compression socks or stockings. (medical supply, ask your doctor)

If you are in a high-risk group (personal or family history of phlebitis or pulmonary embolism; chronic degenerative disease; recent or post-partum surgery), we advise you to consult a doctor to envisage possible preventive steps.

Travelling and Nutrition

Travelling or living in a foreign country exposes one to the risk of digestive problems, all the more so when the traveler leaves a region with high standards of hygiene for a country with lower standards.

The most common problem is travelers’ diarrhea. It has a wide variety of causes, but is most often due to infection (bacteria, viruses, parasites) from contaminated food and drinks.

A number of rules should be observed in order to reduce the risks:

• Drinks: choose drinks in sealed bottles or that have been decontaminated (a variety of methods are possible: boiling, filtering, disinfectant tablets). Teeth should preferably be brushed with decontaminated water.
• Food: choose cooked food, to be eaten hot, dry products (bread, biscuits and so on), fruit with skin, peeled by you. Avoid shellfish, undercooked meat, raw vegetables and fruit.

In case of severe diarrhea, it is vitally important to have a very regular intake of fluids in order to avoid dehydration.

In case of diarrhea with fever, see quickly a doctor.

The Medical Service or any doctor can provide additional advice and a prescription to treat or, at least, lessen the severity of such digestive problems.

Prevention of Malaria

Malaria is a parasitic disease spread by mosquito bites. It is widespread in many tropical countries. Some forms of the disease can be serious, and preventive treatment and early curative treatment are, therefore, of vital importance.

Preventive treatment is based on protection against mosquito bites and the taking of preventive doses of medication.

Protective measures against mosquito bites include the wearing of protective clothing (long trousers, long-sleeved shirts), the use of mosquito nets during sleep and the application of insect repellent sprays or creams on exposed skin.

Preventive medical treatment exists in many forms, with the choice of treatment depending on many factors:

• The destination country (some anti-malarial medicines are ineffective in certain countries).
• The length of stay in the country concerned.
• One's personal medical history (possible contraindication against certain medicines).

It is of fundamental importance that all these preventive medical treatments begin a few days before departure and continue for several weeks, sometimes, after the return home.

For all these reasons, it is imperative to visit the Medical Service or any doctor, if possible more than one week before departure, for a personalized prescription. (This period of time can also be used to renew whatever important vaccination(s) may be necessary.)

Important point:  consult a doctor without delay if you develop a high fever during your stay (or just after) in a foreign country.

Vaccinations

The type of vaccinations proposed to a traveler depends on several criteria:

1.       The administrative obligation to comply with the vaccination requirements of a country that wishes to protect itself against a particular risk of infection.

2.       The actual risk incurred by the traveler of contracting certain diseases in the country visited. This second criterion can vary, depending on:

• The health status of the destination country;
• The conditions and length of the stay;
• The individual characteristics of the traveler, such as age and vaccination history.

Some vaccination needs a delay to be effective. For this reason, reasons, it is imperative to visit the Medical Service or any doctor, if possible more than one week before departure, for updating your vaccinations.