| Healthy Vacationing |
 |
 |
| Health Archive | |||
| By Larry Lucas | |||
| Thursday, July 16, 2009 | |||
 Larry Lucas Courtesy PhotoFortunately, there are many simple things you can do to unwind and have fun while staying healthy. Be sure to drink plenty of water if you are going to be outside in the heat and sun to avoid dehydration. While many typical vacation foods such as ice cream and french fries may be tempting, if you suffer from diabetes or high cholesterol, you have to remember your body’s metabolic and cardiovascular systems aren’t taking a vacation. So, it’s important to maintain good diet habits throughout your trip. More and more restaurants are offering sugar-free, low-sodium and low-calorie options, making it easier to find a suitable alternative to fatty or sugary foods. Never be afraid to ask your server about the menu. Sometimes that “healthy” salad has more fat and calories than a cheeseburger. Keeping up your exercise routine on vacation doesn’t have to mean logging hours cooped up in the gym. Many vacation spots offer beautiful scenery, so why not enjoy it while on a jog or run rather than from your chair? Swimming is also great for your cardiovascular health. It also can improve muscle tone and keep you cool when temperatures rise. Whether you are at home or away, try taking a break from your car and picking up a bicycle for the week or weekend. You’ll not only get great exercise, but you can eliminate the stress sometimes associated with driving. You can also take steps to ensure a healthy vacation before you even leave home. Take inventory of your medications and check to make sure you have enough to last throughout your vacation. If you don’t, contact your doctor or pharmacy. You may be able to get an extra refill if you explain that your medicine will run out when you are traveling. This is especially important if you are managing chronic diseases, so make sure you have all the medicine you need before you leave home so you can remain healthy throughout your trip. As we get older, we often have to deal with multiple medicines and doctors, and that can become very confusing. If you are a senior, keep a list of both your medicines and doctors and give a copy of the list to a family member. If you are vacationing with seniors, offer to go over the list with them before the trip to make sure they have everything they need to remain healthy during their time away from home. You might be thinking, “vacation is supposed to be fun, why do I need to worry about all this?” You’re right: vacation is supposed to be fun, but things won’t be enjoyable if you experience complications with your chronic diseases because you stopped taking your medicines and regulating your diet to stay healthy year-round. Unfortunately, that means not taking a vacation from the prescriptions you need, but this is an easy step that can keep you on the beach or by the pool rather than in the clinic or hospital. But we recognize that medicines help no one if patients can’t afford them. That’s why America’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies sponsor the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). Since its launch in April 2005, PPA has helped connect more than 5.7 million patients in need to programs that provide either free or nearly free medicines. For more information, patients can call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or visit www.pparx.org. Larry Lucas is a vice president for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
|
