Your Health Matters: Pet Sitting options for Travel

Your Health Matters: Pet Sitting options for Travel: Planning for the care of a family Pet while on vacation requires a little bit more thought. My dog Theo, is a rambunctious, 75-pound White ...

Your Health Matters: Travel Health with a Chronic Disease

Your Health Matters: Travel Health with a Chronic Disease: Taking a vacation and traveling can be relaxing but takes additional planning for people who have a chronic medical condition such as, diabe...

Put Federal Support for Sickle Cell Disease Care, Education and Research Back On Track

Sickle Cell Community, Please sign this Petition to President Obama to increase funding for Sickle Cell Research that has been drastically cut since 2008.

Your Health Matters: June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

Your Health Matters: June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: Reblogged from NPR Educate And Ask: Key To Living With Sickle Cell Disease It is ...

June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

Reblogged from NPR Educate And Ask: Key To Living With Sickle Cell Disease It is one of the most common inherited blood disorders in the U.S., and most people who have it are African-American. Host Michel Martin learns more from pediatrician Dr. Leslie Walker.

Pet Sitting options for Travel

Planning for the care of a family Pet while on vacation requires a little bit more thought. My dog Theo, is a rambunctious, 75-pound White German Shepherd. I have used kennels, pet sitters and family & friends for dog sitting services. Boarding in kennels offers some perks if you can afford a boarder who offers daily walks, swimming, canine massage and grooming. Other options are Pet Sitters who play a similar role as a baby sitter and will take care of pet(s) in your own home. They will also pick up your mail, water your plants, take pets on walks & dispense medication. A reputable agency can help you find a pet sitter who is licensed, bonded and carries insurance for pet sitters. The other ‘old school’ and most affordable option is to find a family, friend, neighbor or someone you can bake cookies while negotiating a price to watch your Pet(s). I chose leaving Theo with my mother and gave her a few dollars (money) to watch him. Theo did not get a daily walk in the park but my mother let him out in the back yard several times a day and kept his water and his dog bowl full of food. Make sure the sitter is aware of your pet’s personality and any special needs. I also left a few items from home like his favorite toy, blanket and clothes (t-shirt and socks) that had my scent. Whatever ever the option, stay calm and prepare in advance as pets can sense anxiety and emotions when their owner is leaving home. Message from Dr. Nina Healthy Tidbits Newsletter, Vol. 4(2). For more information, check out Sit, stay, go by Laura Amann writer from the Costco Connection. .

Travel Health with a Chronic Disease

Taking a vacation and traveling can be relaxing but takes additional planning for people who have a chronic medical condition such as, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, sickle cell anemia, & arthritis especially when traveling overseas. Medications and medical supplies like inhalers, glucose test strips and insulin needles should be packed to last enough for the entire trip. If you plan to go for more than 30-days, talk with your healthcare provider about how to get enough medicine for the entire trip stay. All medications should be packed in a carry on bag or luggage to avoid the chance of it getting stuck under the plane or in case the suite case gets lost. Transportation Security Admission (TSA) regulations require medications to be in their original prescription bottles and label. Some regions of the world may also require certain medications and vaccines to protect against tropical diseases like malaria, yellow fever and typhoid fever. People with weakened immune systems are also more prone to traveler’s diarrhea, therefore adhere to safe eating and drinking travel advice and wash hands often. Speak with your healthcare provider about the trip-specifics and/or see a travel medicine specialist. If you see a travel medicine specialist, bring a list of all medications you currently take to prevent drug interactions with prescribed travel medications and your shot records. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends purchasing trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance in case of an emergency. When purchasing travel insurance, always read the contract carefully to ensure the policy covers what is needed. Other helpful preparation tips are to carry in your wallet a Health Passport Card that has important medical information about your medical condition(s), food and drug allergies and red cell antibodies for those who have sickle cell anemia. Include your healthcare provider’s contact information in case you need to make an international call. Last ‘Pearl of Advice’, make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider or a travel medicine clinic at least 2 weeks prior to travel. Re-Printed from Healthy Tidbits Newsletter, Vol. 4(2) 2014. Photo by: INSUREANDGO For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/travel. Safe Travels, Dr. Nina