Spring Break… or Bust? Tips to Enjoy Your Winter Getaway, Dr. Chad Trierweiler, The Urgency Room in Eagan

After a winter with record breaking cold temperatures and lots of snow, Twin Citians have had it! They’re getting the heck out of dodge (or Minnesota) and heading to warmer climates. And, there’s no doubt many of you have laid down a good chunk of change and vacation time to enjoy a much needed break. That’s why you don’t want sickness before or during your trip to ruin your much-needed getaway.

There are steps you can take to keep illness out of your getaway plans. Here are a few tips for staying healthy on vacation:

·         Don’t let your pre-vacation cold  turn into pneumonia

There’s nothing worse than a sniffle that turns into a full-blown fever once you reach the beach, sidelining you to the couch. You can prevent this predicament by making sure you (and your kids) get all of your shots because one of them can help to prevent a type of pneumonia called pneumococcal.

Make sure to get enough rest because sleep will help your immune system fight infection. Finally, wash your hands religiously. Regularly washing with soap and water can keep you from getting colds, the flu, and picking up other germs that can cause pneumonia.

·         Make sure to pack laxatives and anti-diarrhea medications in your luggage

It’s not uncommon for some people to bitterly complain about wasting their vacation due to roaring diarrhea, while others suffer in silence from brutal constipation, and a few unlucky souls get beaten up by both throughout their trip.

Any sudden change in diet and disruption of routine, which is common on vacation, can wreak havoc on your bowels. Too much sun and too much alcohol can also make these conditions worse. Dehydration from drinking too much or a stomach virus are among the main reasons why vacationers end up in the ER. So, don’t forget these medications and load up on yogurt before you leave. The right probiotics, healthy bacteria in foods like yogurt or kefir, or in supplements,  may help reduce gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

·         Don’t take a vacation from exercise

Even 20 minutes of exercise a day will help boost your energy levels (essential for all-day excursions and sightseeing) and take away some of the guilt from those indulgent dinners and desserts.

·         Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!

Ahh… the warmth of a tropical climate, it feels so good you might wonder, what could be more natural than sun light, right? Stop right there. That type of thinking could put you at risk for a nasty sunburn that will ruin your vacation and set you up for future health problems.

Our white Minnesota skin, deprived of summer sun for many months, is actually very susceptible to burning, and to forming incipient skin cancers. Additionally, the tropical sun is much more intense than temperate sunshine. Tourists to warm weather locations often underestimate the strength of the sun and its ability to burn skin in just minutes, even on a cloudy day.  In addition, there are many common photo-sensitizing drugs (antihistamines, antibiotics, chemotherapy, cardiac drugs, etc.—even many fragrances) that can cause your skin to be more susceptible to damage from the sun’s rays.

Make sure you use a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. You should use 1-2 ounces of sunscreen (30-60 ml) ounces for your full body and don’t rush when you put it on because you will miss spots and surely pay for it later. You should apply the sunscreen 1/2 hour before initial exposure and then every 30 minutes thereafter. Don’t listen to claims that your sunscreen is “waterproof” or will “last all day.” Always re-apply every 30 minutes.

There’s no doubt we’ve earned the right to enjoy a warm-weather getaway. Make sure you take the steps necessary so your trip is an enjoyable spring break, and not a bust.