AD- This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Millions of people across the world are living with medical conditions.
These can make everyday life difficult to navigate, and often require regular medicine and medical attention to treat and manage.
However, that’s not to say that living with a medical condition prohibits you from living your best life. Travel is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling activity that is beneficial for our emotional and mental well-being.
We’ve put together a guide with answers to some frequently asked questions about travelling with a medical condition. Check it out below.
Do I Need Insurance?
Travel insurance is important for anyone going on holiday, but particularly for those living with a medical condition.
You may be more likely to become ill and require medical assistance, which can be more expensive abroad.
To protect yourself from getting into any sort of financial difficulties, it’s vital that you book holiday insurance.
If you happen to have a medical condition, a standard policy might not be enough. Instead, you will need to find providers who offer travel insurance to cover medical conditions.
Most providers offering this type of cover will usually provide medical assistance and support in emergency situations.
Will I Be Allowed To Fly?
Overseas air travel is strictly controlled and regulated, with airline companies committed to avoiding anything they perceive as a risk to the disruption of their service.
If you have a medical condition and were to suffer a medical emergency on board a flight, this would put you at serious risk while also potentially endangering the other passengers.
For this reason, it’s important you divulge any medical information to your airline when booking any tickets.
They will inform you as to their policy regarding travel for people with medical conditions, which could save you wasting time or money.
Common conditions that can make flying risky include heart disease and respiratory issues.
If you suffer from one of these, or any other long-term condition, you should speak to your doctor and get their opinion on your fitness to fly.
Some conditions require passengers to receive medical clearance before they can board a plane, so this is something that can also be discussed with your doctor.
What Do I Need To Bring With Me?
If you are living with a medical condition, you may require regular medication, such as insulin for diabetes.
You might also need equipment to help you travel and ambulate, such as crutches or a wheelchair.
First, you’ll need to think about how to take your medications through the airport and onto the plane.
Airport security is strict and you can expect any items that are deemed suspicious to be thoroughly inspected.
Keep all your medications clearly labelled and in their original boxes, this will help speed up your time spent going through security and will reduce the risk of any medications being confiscated.
For walking aids or other large medical equipment, it’s vital that you check that your airline is properly equipped and has the facilities required to meet your particular needs and requirements.
Accessing healthcare services abroad can be difficult, not to mention expensive.
If you were to lose or run out of medicine, or if a piece of important equipment was to break, there’s not guarantee you will be able to find a replacement affordably, if it all.
This is why it’s so important to bring more than you need.
Stock up on medicine to ensure you don’t run out as it could be difficult to get some types of medication without a prescription.
Obviously, bringing a spare wheelchair with you isn’t possible, so if you require a wheelchair, ensure it is in a good working condition ahead of your trip.
Conclusion
Don’t assume that living with a long-term health issue means that you can’t get out there and explore the world!
Use this guide to stay happy and safe when on holiday with a medical condition.
Love, Sarah xoxo
