health lab by dr. joel
Simple
Summer
HealtH
tipS
Summer is fast approaching and vacation season has officially begun. This chronic health condition, bring information on that as well. Knowing your HIV
year, most of the talk about travel health has focused on the H1N1 “Swine” flu, history, or what your EKG usually looks like, can save a lot of unnecessary tests
and whether we should listen to Vice-President Biden and avoid small, enclosed and mistakes.
spaces. (Answer: No. At least, not yet). Rather than bore you with a scientific dis- Members of the LGBT community may also want to bring their legal paper-
section of the swine flu, I thought I’d cover some simple tips for staying healthy work. Most California hospitals should be sensitive to gay or lesbian partners
on your summer vacation, whether you’re checking out Pittsburgh Pride or the being decision makers or next of kin. Sadly, the same can’t be said for other states,
boyz in Brazil. Research your destination. If you’re just driving to San Francisco much less other countries. Whatever the exact rules, there’s a better chance your
for Pride, you might not need much but a map of the gayborhood. But if you’re wishes will be honored if you have your marriage license, domestic partnership
leaving the country, or even leaving the city, you need to know what diseases are papers, adoption certificates and durable power of attorney (DPOA) paperwork.
out there and how not to get them. Fortunately, the Centers for Disease Control For reason of both safety and activism, I’d avoid jurisdictions that won’t recognize
and Prevention (CDC) has a website (cdc.gov) telling you what to watch out for your relationship even with paperwork.
and what you need to stay safe. Take a walk. Extended periods of sitting can cause blood to pool in your legs—a
Plan to see your physician. He or she will probably look at the same CDC site as phenomenon known as “venous stasis.” Stasis increases the risk that blood clots,
you, but they can do things you can’t. If you’re traveling anywhere there’s malaria, known as deep venous thromboses (DVTs), will form in your legs. DVTs can cause
you’ll need prophylactic antibiotics. You also may be able to count on your doc swelling and pain… and that’s the safe part. Parts of those clots can break off
to give you a few doses of Cipro “to go,” because nothing kills vacation fun faster and fly to the lungs, becoming pulmonary emboli (PE). PEs can cause chest pain,
than traveler’s diarrhea (though antibiotics don’t always help). Make an appoint- difficulty breathing and even death. Long international flights clearly increase
ment as soon as you know where you’re going, as some countries require proof of the risk of clots, and long drives probably can too. Taking a walk every couple of
vaccines for visas, and some vaccines take four to six weeks to be effective. hours may be enough to keep the clots away. If you or your family have a history of
Bring your medications. In fact, bring extra. You know you’re going to party on blood clots, ask your doctor about blood thinners for a long flight.
Saturday night, hook-up and miss your flight. Best if you don’t miss your medi- Keep track of where you went AND what you did. Some diseases don’t show
cines as well. It’s not always easy to get refills, because doctors are licensed by up until long after you’re back, often with recurrent fevers that are hard to pin
state. If you do run out, consider going to a pharmacy with offices nationwide. down. If you get sick after your trip, even six or 12 months later, make sure to tell
Your doc may not be able to call in a refill across the country, but I’ve had some your doctor about your vacation. Knowing if you used mosquito netting in Africa,
luck calling a prescription to a local branch and having them “transfer” it to my got a tick bite in Pennsylvania or swam in a Hawaiian lake can be the difference
patient’s travel destination. between sheer confusion and the right antibiotic. (For the trivia buffs headed to
Bring your paperwork. President Obama is working to bring you portable Google, I’m referring to malaria, Lyme Disease and leptospirosis, respectively).
medical records, but they aren’t here yet. If you get sick, or are in an accident, If the above has you heading out to refund your plane tickets—don’t. Most
your doctor will be flying blind unless you bring some information. A list of health vacations go just fine, especially with a little preparation. Enjoy your trip, have a
problems, surgeries and medications is a good start for everyone. If you have a great summer and be healthy!
70 RAGE monthly | June 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104