How to solve and prevent the 9 most common health problems during backpacking, living, studying, traveling or working abroad?

1. Acclimatize

• What ever kind of medicine you take, do keep in mind that for hundreds and hundreds of years people still get ‘tropical frenzy’ (due to food, climate, tiredness, new impressions etc). Take into account that some people just cannot stand tropical conditions. This is something you don’t have to be ashamed about.
• On your arrival take it easy for a few days, so that you can adjust to the new conditions. Do not start doing heavy duties, make sure that you have a relaxed program.

2. Travel sickness

• Anti-motion sickness pills are usually indispensable in every medical box, even though you think that you might never get nauseous. A bus ride through the mountains of Nepal, a boat ride in a tropical storm or a flight during rough weather can even break the toughest guys.
• Also the fact that you will be able to read a book on an eight hour bus ride on a winding road will make anti-motion sickness worth carrying with you.

3. Sun, heat and dehydration

• A basic rule for travelers who are going to travel to the tropics is that you need to drink a lot of water, this way you will avoid a lot of problems.
• Make sure that you urinate enough. This is the best indicator for dehydration. Diarrhea is an important cause for dehydration. A package of Oral Rehydration System (ORS) can create miracles. If you suffer from dry eyes during your flight, bring some cucumber slices and put them on your eyes, or you can buy sleeping glasses/eye mask.

4. Sun allergies & Sunburns

• In countries near the equator, such as Australia and Indonesia, there are very big chances of getting your skin burned. Every skin gets burned if it is exposed too much to the sun. How long it takes for this to happen depends on what kind of skin you have and where you are (in the mountains and around the equator the sun is much stronger).
• The sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreen indicates how long you can stay in the sun. You can extend your exposure by applying more sunscreen. For the first few days, your skin will burn within 5 minutes without sunscreen. With SPF 15 sunscreen, you can stay in the sun for about 75 minutes without burning too much. Don't take unnecessary risks while traveling; for your own health, make sure you've applied enough sunscreen. Carrying a backpack isn't pleasant when you're sunburned.

5. Sunstroke

• Heatstroke occurs when your body is overheated by the sun's heat. Heatstroke usually occurs from being active in the sun on a hot day, leaving your head and/or body unprotected from the sun.
• Symptoms: Headaches, dehydration, Nauseous / throwing up
• Treatment: Get the person out of the sun, cool them dow, drink a lot, or use ORS.

6. Food

• Do not eat vegetables or fruits that are not washed. You might come across it during your journey.
• You might consider the possibility of becoming a vegetarian or being very selective with where, when and what kind of meat you eat.
• Make sure that you always have enough food when you are traveling (it can happen that during a slow bus ride, slow boot ride, closed shops or restaurants you find yourself short of food or drinks).

7. Drinking water and water purification

• Purifying water has become less and less necessary. Even in the most remote areas, you can buy bottled water. They might not be cheap but water is some that you do not economize, especially in tropical areas, drinking water is very essential.
• Are you going to the jungle or to mountainous areas, climbing a volcano or are you going to an island where they have limited water supplies, a water purification equipment is the best way to purify tap water.

How can you purify water?

• Chlorine based drops or tablets are the easiest way to purify water, but it will make the taste different from normal water. Chlorine purifies water from viruses and bacteria’s, but not from (all) parasites. Micro infiltration can be used as well to purify water.

8. Infections, accidents, Wounds

• If you are going on a trip to a remote and primitive area it is very convenient to have a variety of antibiotics with you. Discuss with your doctor which ones are the best to take with you.
• Small skin wounds can grow into bad infections in the tropics. Treat every wound that you might get very well. Protect infected wounds well from any type of bacteria. If the wound is still there after a couple of days it is best to take antibiotics.

9. Ticks

• When traveling, be aware of ticks. Ticks can be found in forests, gardens and parcs and can bite into your skin. If a tick is long enough on your skin, you can obtain diseases such as the Lyme disease, CEE or RSSE encephalitis, Ehrlichiose and Fièvre boutonneuse.
• You can protect yourself from ticks by wearing long sleeves and pants and by using anti-tick spray on non-covered body parts. Always check yourself after spending a day in the forest or on the beach, as young ticks can only be 1 mm.
• In case you find a tick on your body, remove it with a special tick picker or a tick spoon. Make sure to not damage the tick, as the tick can still inject its poison into your skin