Budget breaks could spell big trouble for holiday health

As the winter blues continue to blight Brits, we’d all like nothing better than to jet off on a cut price skiing holiday, or to chase the sun to the other side of the world. But what are the health risks with travelling at this time of year?

A weather-sensitive person reacts with varying intensity to changes in weather elements, such as air pressure, temperature and humidity. These changes can affect our well-being and cause problems including low mood, sore throat, migraine and heart and circulation irregularities.

Here we look at the most common travel related ailments, and what you need to give your health that extra boost to make sure your holiday goes off without a hitch.

Problem 1: Painful sore throat

Long haul flights appear to pose a much higher cold infection risk. The confined cabin of an aircraft provides the ideal environment for transmitting airborne diseases such as the common cold. With up to 400 potential sources of infection at such close quarters, the chances of the infection being spread via the re-circulated air are relatively high.

According to the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, experiments on exposing uninfected volunteers to the common cold infection have shown that the chances of catching a cold are directly related to the length of exposure. As a result, you’re more likely to catch a cold on a long-haul flight to the Caribbean than on a short hop to the Med.

The risk of virus infection is increased by crowded centrally-heated spaces with closed windows. Ultra Chloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray is available in three great tasting, sugar-free flavours – Blackcurrant, Cherry and Original Menthol. Three sprays straight to the site of pain, can numb sore throats in seconds - no Benzocaine spray is stronger. Available from pharmacies and large supermarkets without prescription. Priced £5.10 with each bottle containing over 30 adult doses (100 sprays). Contains Benzocaine. Always read the label.

Problem 2: Low immunity

Travel to foreign countries can actually increase the risk of infection. While it’s likely we’ve been exposed to every common cold virus in our home towns, we’re often subjected to a host of new viruses to which we have no immunity at our holiday destination.

Nutrition is extremely important for immunity. Unfortunately, the quality of our nutrition often nosedives when it gets cold leaving you vulnerable to infections such as cold and flu. For example, an ample supply of vitamin A is essential for the innate immune system to operate at full capacity. However, in winter, nutrients like vitamin A (found in red, orange and dark green fruits and vegetables) tend to be in shorter supply in the diet because many people consume much smaller quantities of fruits and vegetables, preferring warm, stodgy and comforting foods instead.

Sun Chlorella ‘A’, a natural whole food and is free from synthetic ingredients, contains highly concentrated antioxidants, such as naturally occurring beta-carotene and zinc to combat free radicals from the environment, soil and food which can damage the DNA in cells. Sun Chlorella is priced £21.95 for 300 tablets (a 20-30 day supply) and is available from SunChlorella.co.uk.

Problem 3: Aching head

Studies have found that 50 to 80 percent of all people who get migraines believe cold weather can set off a headache. Tiger Balm White is a topical analgesic which unlocks the eastern wisdom of Chinese herbalists to create a unique formula that is proven to successfully relieve tension headaches. Its unique combination of natural active ingredients Camphor, Menthol, Cajuput Oil and Clove Oil, coupled with the calming aroma of Mint Oil offers an ancient but effective answer to this form of tension related pain. Gently rubbed into the forehead or temples using circular motions and repeated as often as required - a little goes a long way. Tiger Balm White is priced £4.67 for a 19g jar and is available from Boots, Sainsbury’s, independent pharmacies and health food stores nationwide. For further information call 0844 243 6661. Always read the label.

Problem 4: Travel Sickness

Symptoms of motion sickness include dizziness, vomiting, nausea and vertigo and are caused when there is a clash of information between the senses. Nerve signals sent to the brain from the balance mechanism in the inner ear (known as the vestibular apparatus), conflict with the information from your eyes and what they can see. For example, when travelling in a car, messages from the vestibular system are telling the brain you are stationary, at the same time your eyes see you are in motion. Phenergan® works by blocking histamine receptors in the brain so nerve messages are not received

Problem 5: Sore eyes

Looking after your eyes on holiday might be the last thing you’re thinking about, particularly when you’re struggling to fit all your accessories into your hand luggage. Air conditioning and sudden changes in temperature can mean that eyes are painful and sore. The Biotrue™ Flight Pack is the latest innovation in lens care on the go, containing two bottles of Biotrue™ solution (60ml), two lens cases and a zip bag, it has never been easier to look after your eyes wherever your life takes you. Priced at around £6.75, Biotrue™ Flight Pack is available from Boots and leading opticians across the UK. For further information, and a full store locator list, log onto biotrue.co.uk.

Problem 6: Long distance joint pain

Long haul flights can mean you’re stuck for long periods of time in tight spaces with no room to move freely. This is where your joints will take the strain. Traditionally Brits suffering with joint pain have limited options to quell their pain often having to resort to taking NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen with natural products offering little help. But a new 100% natural supplement containing a high dose formulation of a unique tropical fruit could offer hope to the millions who suffer daily with pain. FlexiMax supplements contain MangoSelect® which has been shown in clinical trials to help alleviate pain by 37%. For many who can’t take NSAIDs due to their long term health implications FlexiMax could be for many a step in the right direction, especially felt in the winter months. FlexiMax is available exclusively from chemistdirect.co.uk at £24.95 for 60 capsules.

Problem 7: Foreign germs

If you’ve booked a last minute new year holiday deal, although the savings might have been great, you can’t always guarantee that the cleanliness will be of the highest standard. Toilets in particular can be a problem for Brits abroad. Milton’s Germ Expert, Steve Riley advises: “In a survey 1 in 10 people in admitted to not washing their hands after going to the toilet[1]. It might sound simple but hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of germs which can cause infections and viruses. Pop a bottle of Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel in your luggage for quick and easy hand washing on the go. It’s perfectly safe for children and can be used before and after changing the baby. The gel is clinically proven to kill bacteria including salmonella and listeria, as well as viruses and fungi, and it doesn’t require any water so you can use it anywhere.”