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Well&Good 2003, Issue 3
Travel tips
 Summertime
is traditional vacation time for many families. Are you ready?
Is getting there part of the problem? Do you feel helpless and
uncomfortable on an airplane? Do you whisper a prayer for safe
travel? Are you so overcome with fear that you can't even get on an
airplane? You may recognize the fear as irrational, but it doesn't
dilute the fear you feel. The fear of flying--aviophobia--is one of
the most common phobias with one in eight Americans avoiding
commercial air travel.
The symptoms of aviophobia are both physical--muscle tension,
tremors, labored breathing, heart palpitations, chest pain, nausea,
intestinal discomfort, and sweating--and psychological--impaired
memory, narrowed perceptions, or poor judgment.
Do you need a tetanus booster?
Are you planning an extreme vacation--hiking, rafting, climbing?
Are you protected with a current tetanus booster? It's a simple and
easy step to take before your trip to avoid possible problems during
your vacation.
Tetanus is a severe, occasionally fatal disease, caused by the
toxin of bacteria. Tetanus typically infects the body through a dirty
or deep wound. It is also called lockjaw because it causes spasms of
muscles in the neck and jaw.
The bacteria that cause tetanus are found in the soil. The tetanus
bacteria can enter the body through a wound that is contaminated with
soil, especially puncture wounds.
Tetanus is unusual in the U.S. today because most Americans are
vaccinated against it. However it is more common in some other
countries. Be sure your protection is current--updated every 10
years--so you don't become a statistic.
UI's Travel Medicine Clinic
The UI Travel Medicine Clinic provides highly specialized,
individualized preventive health care services based on the your
personal health history and itinerary.
Often vaccines or preventive medications are needed for travel to
foreign countries, particularly those in which sanitation is not as
developed as the U.S. The timing of a visit to your doctor to receive
vaccines is important when you plan to travel.
For an appointment or for more information, call UI
Health Access at 800-777-844, ext. 703 or 319-384-8442, ext. 703
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Flying tips
- Gain control over your mental skills, which in turn leads to
freedom from fear. Relaxation techniques such as controlled
breathing or peaceful visualization can help.
- Book the most direct flight available.
- Keep your mind occupied during the flight by bringing along a
good book or magazine, your favorite music, knitting, or
game.
- Pre-select a seat location where you feel most comfortable. If
you suffer some claustrophobia, for example, an aisle seat closer
to the front can help some.
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For more information:
Listed above are several Web sites that offer additional information on this
topic. University of Iowa Health Care does not sponsor or endorse these sites,
or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on these sites. These
links are here for general information only, and should not be used for personal
diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions, please contact UI
Health Access.
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