Great news! Summer is almost here. This means one
thing...vacation time! But if you're like most Americans, you're busy and most
likely on a budget. Because of this, planning a good trip becomes that much
more difficult.
To assist your quest for the perfect vacation, we've
developed a a few travel secrets to help you get the most of your vacation with
less money, space and time.
Don't Take a Vacation From Health
The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely
to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you're more likely to stay
healthy throughout your trip — and your trip will definitely be more enjoyable.
The good news is that as a teen, your immune system is as strong as an adult's,
but lack of sleep and a poor diet can make it easier for you to become sick.
The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is
to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different
countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your
doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a list of
necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in
case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.
Common Travel Troubles
Three of the most common health problems that you may
experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When
you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your
internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may
cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach,
insomnia, and tiredness.
There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for
example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun
until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a
brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.
Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in
oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than
you're used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches,
dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet
(1,524 meters), but others aren't affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000
feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you're traveling to before
you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.
The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually
increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a
drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of
altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with
your doctor before you leave home.