Posts Tagged ‘AllClear4you’

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Cancer and Car Travel

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

There has been a flurry of newspaper articles at the moment talking about how hospital parking costs add to stress. A survey by consumer watchdog Which? found that high charges, overcrowding and confusing payment systems are all blamed by the public in England.

Many hospitals justify the charges by saying they need the income, but apparently some hospitals make profits of £1m a year from their car parks. A Department of Health spokeswoman said the government had launched a consultation into the issue.

This is obviously a particular problem for people with cancer, and MacMillan nurses have launched a campaign to solve this problem. MacMillan believe cancer patients should not have to pay to park while receiving their treatment at hospital.

I must agree  – hospital car parking charges are ridiculous  – and must be much worse when people are making repeated trips to hospital for cancer treatment. But this got me thinking about more generally – driving around and finding places to park – with specific medical conditions. This problem becomes even bigger when you are on holiday because you will be unfamiliar with the location.

When you are travelling with cancer, you will need to make some essential special arrangements, and that includes driving and parking in a foreign country. You may want to hire a car when you are away to allow you to explore those more unusual or out of the way locations, but you may have specific needs. Planning will help things go smoothly so that you can relax and enjoy exploring the country you are visiting. Here are some suggestions:

When travelling with cancer there are some things to think about..

When travelling with cancer there are some things to think about..

Talk to a Medical Professional: The most important thing is to talk to your medical professionals – they may be able to suggest what is realistic for you in terms of driving.

Destination Decisions: For example, if you tire easily and can’t walk long distances, check that car park you need is close to the  tourist destination you are visiting.  Planning can greatly reduce the possibility of turning up and finding somewhere that is inaccessible to you.

Hire a specialist car: Depending on your condition, you might need to hire a specialist car. You should check what local specialists can provide.

Parking: If you have a blue disabled badge, don’t forget it! It lets you benefit from parking concessions across the 27 members of the EU (including Europe’s most congested cities), but it is also recognised further afield – specifically in Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and the US. For more info look on the AA website

We really hope this blog can help in organising your driving on holiday, to help you benefit from a relaxing, well planned break. If anyone has any other useful hints or tips that they could give us to add to this blog post, we would be really grateful.

 For more general information on travelling with cancer, check out this blog post or look at the AllClear4you cancer page.

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Posted in Travelling with Cancer | 1 Comment »

Eye Tests – See the whole truth

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

According to experts in an article in the Daily Mail, as many as 1 in 5 us have a health problem not related to the eye that could be diagnosed by our optician. Here are some common conditions that can be spotted:

1.       Hypertension (High blood pressure)

What is it? Puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack/stroke

How spotted? High blood pressure causes damage to the blood vessels in the retinas

2.       High Cholesterol

What is it? Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that can increase your risk of heart attack

Doctors can use eye test results to diagnose other conditions

Doctors can use eye test results to diagnose other conditions

How spotted? Bits of cholesterol can break away from deposits in the body and lodge in the blood vessels of the retina, which the optician sees as tiny yellowish blockages. There may also be a thin white line circling the iris (coloured part of the eye) due to cholesterol deposits.

3.       Brain Tumour

What is it? Tissue growths that can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign)

How spotted? Swelling of the optic nerve can be a possible sign

4.       Thyroid disease

What is it? Malfunction in the production of hormones, that regulate metabolism, in the thyroid gland

How spotted? Bulging or protruding eyeballs   are  a symptom of thyroid disease

5.       Multiple sclerosis (MS)

What is it? Neurological disability which can cause fatigue and memory problems

How spotted? There will be swelling of the optic nerve, blurred vision and sensitivity to light

6.       Diabetes

What is it? Too high levels of sugar in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease

How spotted?  High blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing leaks of blood and fatty deposits

7.       Stroke

What is it? Caused by either a blockage or bleed in the brain. Patients may have a series of minor strokes before suffering a major one

How spotted? The eye exam will reveal tiny clots or particles of cholesterol moving through the blood vessels in the retina, which can indicate that a person may already have had a stroke

Best get my next eye test booked then! But the important thing is to remember that if you are diagnosed with one of these conditions, that there is plenty of information available to help you carry on living your life in the way that you want to. For example, you could check out www.allclear4you.com, with information designed specifically for travelling with medical conditions.

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Posted in Travel Health News, Travelling with Medical Conditions | No Comments »

2012 Travel

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

It is now only 2 and a half years to London 2012, where paralympic athletes from all over the world will be travelling to London to compete. So we thought now was as good a time as any to put together some information about disability travel. So here are some tips on travelling with a disability, and  how to avoid any possible pitfalls. Thanks to Able magazine for this info.

  1. Plan Ahead: This is the most important tip really. Invest in a guidebook, use the internet and contact the places you want to go in advance. Planning can greatly reduce the possibility of turning up somewhere inaccessible. Also make sure that your travel insurance covers you for your disability – take a look here for more info.
  2. Parking: Don’t forget your blue badge. It lets you benefit from parking concessions across the 27 members of the EU (including Europe’s most congested cities), but it is also recognised further afield – specifically in Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and the US. For more info look on the AA website
  3. Be imaginative. Being disabled doesn’t mean you need to strike that ‘holiday of a lifetime’ experience off your list; you just need to come up with ways of doing them differently. For example, you can still experience the exhilaration of skiing down Mont Blanc’s Vallee Blanche in a guide operated sit ski.

 For more information on travelling with a disability, check out Allclear4you.

Don't spoil your holiday, be sure to plan ahead.

Don't spoil your holiday, be sure to plan ahead.

But going back to the Olympics – what about accessibility for people travelling into or around the UK? It is a long trek for people to travel down from Scotland to watch the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London – but I am sure a lot of people will. So what will their travel experience be like?

Well, in a perfectly timed survey,  the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) wants to know about disabled people’s tourism experiences. The Accessible Tourism Stakeholders Forum is seeking information from disabled people about their tourism experiences. 

You’ll be able to tell the DCMS exactly what you expect when you stay overnight in accommodation or take a day trip to a UK tourist attraction and give them details of any problems you experienced. The survey’s findings will be used to help businesses improve accessible tourism services for disabled people.

 If you would like to air your views, Take part in the DCMS survey (opens in new window) As a thank you for taking part, you’ll have the opportunity to enter a free prize draw. And please also let us know any comments you have about travelling with a disability in the comments box below. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Posted in Travelling with a disability | No Comments »

Preparing for the worst

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Ok, so let’s face it, when you buy travel insurance, you often don’t really expect that you will actually get ill while you are on holiday, and you certainly don’t anticipate falling ill before you go, having saved your money, prepared for months, and used up all of your remaining annual leave. But unfortunately this sometimes happens – no matter how prepared you are, you may end up falling ill abroad, or possibly beforehand, and need to cancel your trip. So we have put together some little hints and tips that should help if the worst happens, including how to go about making a claim from your travel insurance company.

Holidays aren't always all sun and fun...

Holidays aren't always all sun and fun...

> If you are feeling ill while on holiday, try to write down the symptoms. If you are familiar with the symptoms, use any suitable medication that you have with you –see the AllClear 4 you site for more information on travelling with medication. If the symptoms persist, seek medical help as soon as possible and notify your travel insurance company’s claims line immediately. If you fail to notify them on time, there might be delays in receiving the appropriate support from your insurers.

> While seeking medical treatment, inform your close relatives back home about the situation if you are travelling alone.

> It may be that you would rather travel home for further medical treatment. You should still be in touch with the claims line, as they can ensure all your travel arrangements back home are taken care of

> If you are hospitalised abroad, ensure you collect all the medical documents, bills etc from the hospital before you are discharged. Ensure you submit these documents as soon as possible to your Insurance company for claim reimbursement. Without adequate travel insurance, the costs for emergency medical treatment and repatriation could result in a hefty medical bill running into many thousands of pounds

> Always check with the Foreign Commonwealth Office for information regarding your holiday destination that may affect your health – for example a heat wave or cold snap

> Make sure your travel insurance covers you for cancellation and curtailment in case an unexpected medical condition, or another situation, arises causing you to cancel or cut short your holiday

> If you plan to participate in adventurous activities on your trip, make sure you have read your travel insurance policy wording beforehand to check you are actually covered to do these

> The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may entitle you to free or discounted medical treatment in a European Union country but remember it’s no substitute for travel insurance as it does not cover repatriation or cancellation

> Given this information, it is a good idea to take some time exploring the many holiday insurance options, and that doesn’t always mean the cheapest. For example, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, it is important to check that your travel insurance policy covers them in case you fall ill abroad – take a look at AllClear for more information. Also, you should consider whether it is better to purchase single or annual multi trip insurance – annual insurance is often better value if you’re a regular traveller and travel more than once a year.

We hope this blog provides some useful information for you about your travel needs. If anyone has any additional information they would like to add, or have a question that is not answered, please do so in the comments box below.

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Tips for staying flu-free during your winter holiday breaks

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

It is that horrible time of the year now, when Christmas is over and all the Christmas lights have come down, but we still have to endure the freezing cold weather and scraping the frost off the car. And we all know what that means – cold and flu bugs. People are having their flu vaccinations at the moment, but this winter we also have the added threat of swine flu. So what does this mean for us travelling abroad on the confined space of an aeroplane, a coach or a cruise ship? Especially as we are all getting more adventurous in the distances that we travel for our annual holiday. I found some useful tips for staying flu free in the following blog.

The most important thing, that we have all heard before, is to only travel when you are well. However, this is obviously easier said than done, when you have been looking forward to your holiday for a long time.

Going on a long journey when you are already feeling quite ill may set back your recovery and could put other travellers at risk of infection. The other precautionary measures you have probably also heard before, but are worth remembering to pack the tissues and alcohol gel etc when you plan for your trip.

>Washing hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, containing at least 60 percent alcohol

>Covering your coughs and sneezes with tissues and disposing of the tissues straightaway

Flu and Flying

Paper_plane

Crowded planes aren’t just a nuisance; they can actually increase your chances of infection, according to a review of studies published in 2005 in the British medical journal The Lancet. However, the report concluded that with commercial airlines the “perceived risk is greater than the actual risk.” Ventilation is the key as it is a myth that all of the air in an airplane is recycled. Typically, about half of the air is fresh, brought in by the engines when the plane is in flight and the air that is recirculated passes through high efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters, which should catch most virus-containing particles.

Nonetheless, the tight confine of a plane is a likely place for you to get ill, and more study is needed to fully understand the risk. However, there are some extra precautions you can take this flu season, from this blog (link):

> Carry antibacterial wipes. Use the wipes to clean the plastic armrests and tray-table.

> Pack a medical travel kit. Be sure to bring a full supply of your prescription medicines when you travel. For flu, also include some medications for fever and pain. Pack your medications in their original bottles in your carry-on bag. See www.allclear4you.com for more information on preparing your medications for your holidays, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition

> Ensure you have valid travel insurance, including for any pre-existing medical condition, in case you do become ill and need to cancel your plans, or need hospitalisation or other treatment. Otherwise you risk an expensive medical bill. Take a look here for an AllClear quote . See this blog for some examples of typical medical costs abroad. If the worst happens and you fall ill abroad, you will want to know that you have the right insurance policy and company behind you to make the best of a bad situation

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Posted in Holiday Stress Buster | 1 Comment »

Bill Bailey: Comedy and Medical Conditions

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

When you think of Bill Bailey you probably think of ‘Never mind the Buzzcocks’, QI, stand up comedy and crazy musical instruments, but one thing you may not know is that he also suffers from asthma, as I discovered in an article in the Mail on Sunday. He has suffered with asthma  from childhood and currently uses medication to keep it under control.

Asthma, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, affects 1 in 10 children in the UK, and one in 20 adults. The UK has one of the highest prevalence rates for asthma in the world, along with New Zealand, Australia and Ireland.

Asthma can be triggered by physical activity, infections, allergic reactions, smoke, fumes and stress. Bill’s triggers include cold starts to the day or unplanned physical exertion. Such triggers can mean that when you are travelling with asthma abroad, there can be a lot that you need to think about, in the same way that it is important for Bill Bailey when travelling on tour.

Planning your trip well in advance can really help – you should consider the climate, terrain and air quality at your intended destination and discuss a self management plan with your medical professional. This should include details of what to do in an emergency and contact numbers for advice. You should find out how you can get further supplies of your asthma medication at your destination, in case your existing supplies are lost or damaged. Make sure all your medications have the prescription label and contact details of the pharmacy clearly shown.

If you are planning an activity holiday to include hiking, climbing or skiing remember that high altitude may affect the performance of inhalers, and over-exertion can be a trigger, as is the case with Bill.

You will also need to take out adequate travel insurance to cover your condition, take a look at www.allcleartravel.co.uk. Check out this page for more information on travelling with asthma.

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Holiday Preparation Hints and Tips #1

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

 Hello and welcome to the stress buster part of our blog. We decided to put up this section because we know that actually preparing for a holiday can be pretty stressful – we have all been there! And if you have pre-existing medical conditions it means that you have even more to think about. So we have been trawling the blog, and speaking in the office, to come up with some tips that might help you in preparing for your holiday. Future blogs will focus in more detail on some of these points, but we thought this was a good ‘starter for 10’:

Beach_woman_jumping

1. Check the formalities: Ensure your passport is up to date – it is best to make sure that it is valid for 6 months from the date of your entry into the country. To answer all your questions check out www.passport.gov.uk. If in any doubt, you should check with the relevant embassy if you need a visa.

 2. Travel insurance: You should purchase your insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure that you are covered in case the trip is cancelled; and certainly no later than 3 months before if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Make sure you are fully covered by declaring all your pre-existing medical conditions (link to AllClear FAQ), and that the policy is suitable for your needs. Also make sure your policy covers any specific activities such as winter sports. If you purchase an AllClear travel insurance policy, you automatically gain membership to AllClear Extras which entitles you to discounts when purchasing  your holiday essentials –  Less stress and less expense!  If you would like to get an AllClear Travel Insurance quote click here. Remember to take the emergency contact details of your travel insurance provider with you.

3. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC):  If you are travelling with the EU, then get a FREE European Health Insurance Card for free or reduced emergency care – you still need full travel insurance though!

4. Vaccinations: Check with your doctor as soon as possible to find out if you need any vaccinations before you travel. Information on the vaccinations for different countries can also be found here www.allclear4you.com.

5. Medication: Visit your doctor and make sure that you have adequate supplies (and additional supplies in case any is lost/damaged) of any medication that you might need for a pre-existing medical condition. Check out www.allclear4you.com for more info on travelling with specific medical conditions, and how you can prepare before you go.

6. Secure your house: It might be worth making arrangements to have your garden looked after – especially if you are away during the summer. Not only do overgrown lawns, beds and borders indicate that a house has been left unoccupied, but you don’t want your lovely patio plants to die! If you can, set automatic timers to turn household lights on and off at credible times, to create the illusion of an occupied house. Don’t just have these set up in the hallway! The best thing is if you can ask a neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your home while you are away. Try to arrange for someone to collect your post, draw the curtains etc to generally making the place look lived in.

7.     Travel Games: If you are travelling with children, make sure that you take some paper, colouring pencils and colouring books with you to keep them occupied and avoid that cry of ‘Are we nearly there yet’.

8. Contact from home: Tell a friend or relative where you are going and for how long for – give them some idea of your itinerary if possible and an emergency contact number. Check before you leave whether your mobile phone will work abroad – you may need to contact your provider – and also check the roaming charges to avoid an unpleasant surprise when you get back

9. Money: Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds in the form of travellers cheques. Travellers cheques are good because they can usually be replaced if lost or stolen (if the owner still has the note issued with the purchase of the cheque), but you do need to have somewhere to cash them. If possible, check that out before you go. Credit and debit cards can also be a convenient way to travel when abroad, but watch out for the hidden charges.

10. Travel Guide: Look for a good travel guide to help you plan your trip and ensure you visit all the places you want to. Find some FREE downloadable guides at www.allclear4you.com

11. Digital cameras: Make sure your camera pictures/video have been downloaded so that you don’t run out of space for your new holiday snaps. It might also be worth investing in an spare memory card so that you don’t need to worry about downloading pics while you are away, and don’t have to limit the number of pics that you take

12. Packing: Make sure that you do not need to pack last minute if at all possible, and try and make a list, at least of those essential items (go here for a checklist http://www.allclear4you.com/checklist.aspx). That way you can ensure you have everything you need e.g. medication, money, toiletries (remember things like insect repellent), plug adaptor etc.

 And we haven’t finished yet! Here are some links to some other useful sites that you might want to take a look at them in more detail.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/checklist. A useful checklist

You also might want to check out the FCO travel advice for the country you are visiting http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/

http://www.car-travel-games.co.uk/ – contains lots of fun travel games for kids

 Please let us know if you have any more hints and tips or websites that you think would be useful to share.

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Posted in Holiday Stress Buster | 9 Comments »

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