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Business travel

Business travel
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5 ways that business travellers neglect their health

Your health is an irreplaceable asset. Are you putting it at risk by making any of these common business travel mistakes?

1.       Ignoring dehydration

If you are frequent flyer and spend many hours in air-conditioned offices, you are probably familiar with the feeling of gritty eyes and a gummy mouth. Even mild dehydration can lead to tiredness so drink up to ensure you stay at the top of your game. If you are urinating less than three times a day and your urine is dark, you need to take more fluids. Respond to your thirst with a few gulps of water and aim for urine of a pale straw colour.

Too long, didn’t read: ensure you drink enough fluids.

2.       Risking deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening blood clot in the leg and has been linked to long-haul flights. DVT may have no symptoms – but when they do occur, they include:

  • calf pain, often a heavy ache that gets worse if you bend your foot up towards your knee
  • warm skin near the clot
  • red skin at the back of the leg below the knee.

If you suspect you have a DVT, get medical advice. Do not wait until you get home.

Clots can migrate to the lungs and block blood vessels, which is known as a pulmonary embolism (PE). This will happen to one in ten people with a DVT. A PE is a medical emergency.

Get medical attention if you have pain in your leg and you become breathless with chest pains. Do not wait until you return home.

Too long, didn’t read: seek help immediately for DVT or PE symptoms.

3.       No time for recovery

Jet lag and a packed schedule can hit you hard, but many travellers do not take into account the need to acclimatise to different weather conditions and altitude, not to mention the strain of talking all day in a foreign language and coping with cultural differences. Take a day or so to get adjust to the heat of Hong Kong or the altitude in Bolivia. 

Too long, didn’t read: allow extra time to acclimatise and recover.

4.       Careless eating

In the rush of a business trip it can be tempting to grab food wherever you can. However, in many parts of the world travellers often contract food- and water-borne illnesses because of agricultural and food preparation practices. Go for hot cooked food, rather than dishes that have been standing around on a buffet table, or salads. Consider also getting vaccinated against some common food-borne illnesses.

Too long, didn’t read: Take precautions against food-borne diseases.

5.       Putting off your travel health consultation

An appointment with a travel health nurse is a good way to find out more about protecting your health on business trips. Global Travel Clinics offer 30-minute appointments. Why not put us in your diary now?

 
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