Staying Healthy When Traveling
Q: What do I need to do to stay healthy when traveling?
A: Planning before you leave to stay healthy is a must. Ask your current health care team, such as a massage therapist, chiropractic or naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, if they know anyone they could recommend in the city where you are traveling. If they do not, go online to the professional association websites and find some names. For instance, the website for naturopathic doctors is the AANP at www.naturopathic.org.
Support your immune system with vitamin C, astragalus, shitake, rhodiola, or licorice root. Avoid taking echinacea unless you have a fever or know you are getting sick. Get good quality sleep; keep in mind that approximately seven hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep is needed to produce intermittent growth hormone.
Take your favorite pillow with you. Try and keep regular hours. Only use melatonin to get your system on the new time zone. For mild sleeplessness, use herbs such as lavender, chamomile, oats, passion flower, or valerian instead.
Keep your digestive tract happy. Using digestive enzymes with larger meals, unfamiliar foods, or meals at unusual times can be helpful. Be sure to keep regular by using a fiber supplement or an herbal support such as a tea with senna.
Maintain your regular stretching routine; it will keep you aware of how you physically feel, which helps prevent injury.
Sick While Traveling
Q: I am going to be traveling this summer. What can I take with me to keep from getting sick?
A: Traveling can be a great experience, but can be ruined quickly by getting sick. There are a few natural support options you should take to make your trip more pleasant. Homeopathic remedies are safe and easy to carry. Check out your local health food store for a kit that contains common remedies and the directions for use. Some examples are: arnica 30c for bumps and bruises, ipecac 30c for motion sickness, arsenicum 30c for diarrhea, apis 30c for bug bites, and pulsatilla 30c for a summer cold.
Digestive enzymes are great when you are eating different kinds and amounts of food at different times. For international travel, probiotics, such as acidophilus and bifidobacter, help prevent traveler’s diarrhea. Lavender essential oil is excellent for cuts and scrapes and also when crossing time zones or the excitement of the trip makes it hard to sleep. When flying, it is helpful to add vitamin C powder to your water bottle to support your immune system. Relax, enjoy your vacation and be well!
Vaccine for Shingles?
Q: What is shingles and should I get the vaccine?
A: Shingles is a condition of the nerves and skin that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Between 10% to 20% of the population will develop shingles in their lifetime, especially people over the age of 50. Shingles is a painful rash localized in one area of the body, and it has the potential to cause a debilitating chronic pain condition known as postherpetic neuralgia.
In May 2006, the FDA approved the zoster vaccine for prevention of shingles in adults aged 60 and older. The vaccine has been shown to decrease both the incidence of shingles and the development of postherpetic neuralgia. Since there is no other treatment for shingles, the development of this vaccine has been of benefit for older adults. Side effects of the vaccine are mild redness, tenderness and itching at the injection site and headache. Those who have an allergy to Neosporin or gelatin should not get the vaccine. Since the vaccine is a modified live virus, anyone with immune deficiency also should not get the vaccine. The bottom line is that you should discuss the vaccine with your primary care provider to decide if the vaccine is right for you.
— Ariana Staruch
References: D. Kockler, M McCarthy; Pharmacotherapy 2007;27(7)1013; M Rauscher; Reuters Health Information 11/16/2007
This Issue’s Experts
Arianna Staruch, ND, is a naturopathic physician focused on women’s health issues and can be reached at 503-279-0205 or arianna@clearh2o.org.
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