Just because you have a medical condition diagnosed, doesn’t mean you should never leave your city or country. People suffering from chronic illness travel just as often as healthy people. As long as you’re mobile and don’t depend on other people, you can travel safely alone. All you need to do is pay more attention to your luggage and consider a few more aspects of the trip. Here’s how to travel safely, if you have a medical condition.
Book a proper insurance policy
Booking travel insurance comes immediately after booking the ticket to your desired destination. While people without a medical condition would look for a standard health insurance policy, you should look for additional benefits covering your potential hospital stay due to your illness. Sometimes, the insurance policy will potentially cover the need for medical treatment related to your medical condition if you pay a minimal fee. Don’t risk overpaying for hospital bills in a foreign country because you were afraid to ask.
Bring enough medication
Delayed flights, crowded motorways, and cancelled trains can cause terrible problems. If you need to take medication at a specific time during the day, ensure to bring extra, in case you cannot make it home in time. Travelling abroad means you might not be able to buy your medication everywhere, or you’ll need a specific prescription for that country. Also, airport security will require you to show proof of medication dosage prescribed to you to verify you’re not importing pills into a foreign country. To be safe, pack all medication in your hand luggage. Checked-in luggage often goes missing in transport, and you can go several days without it, leaving you helpless and in harm’s way.
Double-check treatment options at the destination country
When looking for places to travel to, don’t forget to explore the available treatment options they offer for your medical condition. If you’re visiting Amarante in Portugal, for instance, and you have a kidney condition, you can book dialysis at Amarante online quickly, and enjoy your vacation knowing that you’ll get the needed treatment on time. Regardless of the condition you have, always look for the availability of treatment options before you buy our ticket and book accommodation.
Wear your medical alert identification
One of the best ways to stay safe when travelling with a medical condition is to display your medical condition. A medical alert bracelet will allow others in another country to identify your medical condition within seconds. Whether you feel unwell in the middle of the street or you end up in a car accident, unable to explain that you have a medical condition, a medical alert identification will save your life. People with epilepsy tend to wear a bracelet with their condition engraved. Those with chronic heart conditions and stents in their blood vessels will carry a card or a certificate in their wallet at all times. Whatever is more convenient for your condition, keep it available and visible when you travel.
Keep your family informed 24/7
How often do you tell your family about your whereabouts? If you plan to travel alone, let them know about your daily plans. If you’re travelling with a group of people and have a tour guide, you’ll receive a detailed itinerary beforehand. Email the schedule to your family, so they know where you’ll be going. Check in with them as often as possible for their peace of mind. In case they cannot reach you for a few hours or even days, they will be able to give more information to the authorities and find out what happened much faster.
Final thoughts
Are you eager to travel, but you have a medical condition? No problem. You can travel safely with a medical condition, so long as you adhere to some important rules. Check out the tips we’ve listed above, and you’ll enjoy every trip regardless of the distance.
By Peter Minkoff
Peter is a lifestyle and travel writer at Men-Ual magazine, living between Ústí nad Labem and Antwerp. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.