8 Days - December 14, 2017

8 DAYS | 77

Pro tips!

#

1

Hand carry meds that have to be taken at least once daily —

you minimise chances of them getting lost in transition.

#

2

Go for a medical consultation at least one month before

travel to allow for a thorough evaluation and for any required

immunisations to take effect. For example, anti-malarial medication,

mefloquine, needs to be taken one to two weeks prior to travel.

#

3

Take probiotics to regulate gut flora and minimise risk of

diarrhoea.

#

4

Take hand sanitisers to minimise risk of diarrhoea on holiday.

Always wash or disinfect hands before and after meals.

STORY (^) CHERYL ONG
Zheng Geping, 53
WHAT’S IN HIS TRAVEL
MEDICATION BAG: “I’ll take
along nasal decongestants ’cos
I have sinus, though I don’t
get it that often now. I’ll also
pack Panadol for headaches,
multivitamins, flu and fever
medicine, and charcoal pills for
diarrhoea. If it’s a long trip, I’ll
bring turmeric powder — it’s very
good for detoxing the body. Add
black pepper to the turmeric to
enhance [its benefits].”
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN
CURE: “If I’m going on a long
trip to a third world country,
I may take along probiotics
(dietary supplement containing
live bacteria that is good for gut
health) in case my stomach can’t
adapt to the water or food there.
Other than that, I’ll just drink
plenty of water. If our body lacks
water, the toxins in our body
build up and that’s when all the
sicknesses come in.”
What Meds To Pack
A CHECKLIST FROM THE EXPERT
BY JASMINE TEO
We asked Watsons pharmacist
Low Yi Ting (right) for what to take to
ensure your holiday won’t be ruined by
the flu bug (or worse).
YOUR CHRONIC MEDICATION:
Make sure you have a sufficient
supply — don’t count on buying
more at your destination.
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL PILLS:
In case of mild diarrhoea. Take
charcoal at least two hours
apart from other meds as it may
interfere with the absorption of
the other meds.
LOPERAMIDE,
DIPHENOXYLATE WITH
ATROPHINE: If diarrhoea
persists.
DIMENHYDRINATE OR
CINNARIZINE: For motion
sickness.
ANTIHISTAMINES SUCH AS
CETIRIZINE, LORATADINE OR
FEXOFENADINE: These multi-
purpose pills treat allergies and
cold symptoms, such as runny
nose, sneezing, itchy skin rash
and watery eyes, and helps
minimise mild swelling or skin
rash due to allergies.
ORAL DECONGESTANTS SUCH
AS PSEUDOEPHEDRINE OR
PHENYLEPHRINE: For blocked
nose.
PARACETAMOL OR IBUPROFEN:
Fever, body aches and pain, chills,
sore throat, headaches.
Stock up on these at the pharmacy.