By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel, Satori World Medical

The most common questions I get asked when it comes to flying are: When is the best time to fly? Which seats have the most legroom? How early do I have to arrive at the airport?  Below are a few answers to those frequently asked questions, as well as some helpful tips to reduce your chances of encountering problems when flying.

• Fly in the morning. Typically, the least expensive and less delayed flights are the first flights out in the morning and red-eye flights. When choosing a flight that departs early morning, there is less likely to be a significant delay, when compared to an afternoon flight, which is a preferred time to fly. Once the air traffic systems experiences problems and delays, the domino effect can continue throughout the entire day.
• Reserve a good seat. Emergency exit row seats usually offer the most legroom and depending on the plane, “bulkhead seats” (seats that are directly behind a wall or curtain) can be slightly more spacious, since there is no passenger reclining their seat in front of you. If you want to experience the smoothest possible flight, reserve a seat towards the front of the cabin. Turbulence, as well as engine noise, is usually greater in the back of the aircraft.
• Arrive at the airport early. The general rule-of-thumb is to arrive at the airport for a domestic flight 60 minutes prior to the departure time if you are not checking baggage and 90 minutes if you are. Try to arrive 2 hours early when flying to international destinations. It is recommended to leave even earlier if you are flying with children, bringing a lot of luggage, or traveling during peak holiday seasons.
• Plan enough time between flights. It is tempting to book a connecting flight with the shortest layover, but make sure to leave enough time to exit the aircraft and make it to the other gate, which can be at the opposite end of the airport. To be safe, it is recommended to leave about an hour to an hour and a half between flights.

You can read more useful flying and travel tips here.

Happy Travels,

Kevin

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

Traveling for people with back or neck pain can be demanding. Cramped airplane seats, carrying heavy luggage and sitting for an extended period of time can all aggravate the pain. The following tips can help reduce back and neck discomfort while traveling.

1.    Lift with your legs

Always use your knees and leg muscles to lift heavy luggage, rather than your back muscles. Also, remember to distribute the weight of a bag evenly on both sides of your body to avoid strains.

2.    Bring a pillow

Bring a lumbar support pillow to make your cramped airplane seat more comfortable and to support your lower back. You can also pack an inflatable neck pillow to help avoid neck strain during sleep.

 3.    Pack light

Not only is a heavy bag a burden to carry around, but it can also strain back and neck muscles when lifting into overhead bins or into the trunk of a car. Make sure to pack light and for less hassle, check all your suitcases. If you decide to take a carryon item, bring a bag with wheels and a handle.

4.    Walk around the cabin

Sitting in the same position for a long time can cause stiffness and back pain. Try to walk up and down the aisles of the airplane every hour. Also, try these in-flight exercises to keep your blood flowing during the flight.

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

A passport is your key to unlock the doors of international travel. Below are a few helpful passport tips before you travel abroad.

1. Apply early. Processing times can vary, but once you have applied for a passport, it can take approximately 4-6 weeks to receive it. However with an additional fee, you can get it within 2 weeks by applying for the expedited service. As of 2010, applying for a U.S. passport costs $135 and the fee for renewing one will cost $110.
2. Check the expiration date. Make sure your passport is up-to-date. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.  The U.S. Department of State recommends renewing your passport approximately nine months before it expires. Passports are valid for 10 years.
3. Sign your passport. Make sure your passport is signed and the emergency information page is filled out.
4. Check to see if you need a visa. Some countries require a visa to enter their country. Check the U.S. Department of State’s website to see if the country you are traveling to require a visa stamp.
5. Make a copy. Before you travel abroad, make a couple photocopies of your passport’s identification pages, just in case it gets lost or stolen during your travels. Keep one copy with you and leave the other one with someone at home.
6. Take advantage of the passport card. If your travel plans only involve land or sea border crossing (e.g.: Canada, Mexico, or a cruise to the Caribbean/Bermuda) you may want to purchase a passport card, an alternative to the regular passport booklet. The passport card is very convenient since it is credit card-sized and less expensive than a passport booklet. A passport card costs $55.

 Happy travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

Jet lag, a condition that results from long distance transmeridian travel, affects most travelers and even the most seasoned fliers. Symptoms may include fatigue, insomnia and headaches. It is said that it takes about one day per time zone crossed to adjust to the local time. Below are a few simple tips to reduce the effects of jet lag.

1. Rest beforehand. Get plenty of sleep the week prior to your flight. Adjusting your bedtime by an hour or two a day, a couple weeks before your trip, can also help you avoid the effects of jet lag.  Also, planning a flight that is scheduled to arrive at your destination as near to the time when you normally go to bed will help with the adjustment. While flying, remember to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as these can disrupt sleeping schedules.
2. Adjust your watch. Change your watch to the destination time immediately when you board the plane. This helps your body start changing its internal clock. You can start adjusting sleeping and eating hours on the plane to match the destination time.
3. Adapt to local time. Immediately upon arrival at your destination, try to adapt to the local time. If it is daytime, be active and get exposure to daylight. This is a great, natural way of allowing your body to adjust to the new time zone. Also, try to avoid afternoon naps and eating earlier or later than usual.

Read all travel tips here: http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/blog/category/travel-tips/

Happy travels,

Kevin Poling

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. DVT risk is increased on long flights due to immobility in cramped seats. As I mentioned in the last health tip, drinking enough liquids, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, wearing loose clothing and physical activity can all help prevent DVT.

In addition to walking around the cabin of the aircraft every hour, try these simple in-flight circulation exercises to keep your blood flowing during lengthy flights:

1. Ankle Circles—Stretch your legs out under the seat in front of you. Lift one leg slightly and rotate your foot clockwise at the ankle and then counter clockwise. Repeat with your other leg.
2. Heel Raises—Lift the balls of your feet so that only your heels are on the floor. Hold this position for five seconds and then lower your feet. Repeat 10 times.
3. Knee Lifts—Sitting straight up, keep your knee bent and lift your thigh so that you’re flexing at the hip. Alternate legs.
4. Toe Curls—Curl your toes and release. Also try pressing your toes down against the floor or wiggling them inside your shoes.
5. Overhead Stretches – Raise both hands straight up over your head, as far as you can. Hold stretch for 15 seconds.

Have a safe flight!

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

Follow these tips to protect your credit while traveling overseas.

1. Call your bank. Before you leave for your trip, let your credit card company or bank know that you will be traveling out of the country. Banks constantly monitor their customers’ accounts for fraud, so an international charge can raise a red flag and have your card suspended and your purchases declined.
2. Research foreign transaction fees. It can be expensive to use a credit card abroad. Call the credit card issuing company to check on their foreign transaction fees. Some cards have lower transaction fees than others. However, some can add 3-5 percent to the cost of foreign purchases.
3. Pick a card compatible with your destination country. Not all credit cards are widely accepted in other counties. Research which credit cards are accepted in your destination country.
4. Do not bring all your credit cards. Do bring a couple credit cards, just in case one is not accepted or is lost or stolen.
5. Always bring a debit card. Not all countries permit cash advances on credit cards.
6. Carry local currency. Always carry some cash with you, just in case some smaller stores do not accept credit cards, have a minimum purchase amount, or your card is rejected. Use cash when making smaller purchases and credit cards for larger ones.
7. Save your receipts. Saving receipts can ensure you are tracking expenses and not being charged for something you didn’t buy. After you return home, be sure to double check your credit card statements. Make sure you are not overcharged on any purchases or see any suspicious charges.

Happy travels,

Kevin

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

Sitting for an extended period of time on a fight can cause leg cramps, swelling, and sore joints. However, the most serious concern is a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where blood clots form in the leg. DVT risk is increased with air travel due to the confined seating, prolonged leg immobility and low cabin pressure. Symptoms of DVT include pain, swelling and discoloration of the leg and dilation of the surface veins. Although the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis is rare, below are a few preventative measures:

1.       Avoid heavy medication and sleeping aids. They can cause long periods of inactivity and can contribute to blood clot formation.

2.       Drink plenty of water. Planes have very dry air which can cause dehydration, muscle aches, and thickening of blood. Drinking beverages with electrolyte-fortified solutions, such as Gatorade or a similar sports drink, can increase fluid retention and keep you better hydrated than ordinary juice or water.

3.       Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. These beverages can contribute to dehydration.

4.       Take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and arms. Try to walk around the cabin of the aircraft every hour if possible to increase blood circulation. When seated, avoid crossing your legs for a prolonged period of time.

5.       Purchase flight stockings. Research has shown that compression stockings or flight hose can increase circulation and lower the risk of deep vein thrombosis when worn correctly. They can be bought at most pharmacies and are also available at the airport.

6.       Wear loose-fitting, unrestricting clothing. Tight fitting garments can restrict blood flow through the body.

The next health tip will cover simple in-flight exercises that can help keep your blood flowing during long flights.

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

Unwary travelers can become victims of crime while traveling overseas. Below are some tips and precautions to avoid theft and scams while out of the country.

1. Be aware of pickpockets.  Pickpockets tend to work in pairs and commonly loiter is crowded places.  Keep an eye on your luggage and personal belongings at all times, especially at the airport, while waiting for a taxi or subway, and walking around busy streets.
2. Blend in. Try not to project affluence. Expensive and flashy jewelry and clothing can attract the wrong type of attention while abroad. Carry the minimum number of valuables with you when you travel and keep electronics and cameras out of sight when not in use.
3. Keep valuables close to you. Wearing a money belt, a zippered nylon pouch that is hidden under your clothing, is much safer than carrying your passport and credit cards in a purse or pocket.
4. Make copies. Make copies of your passport, identification cards, credit cards and/or traveler’s checks before you leave for your vacation. Bring one copy with you and keep it in a safe place. Leave the other copy with a friend or family member back at home.
5. Look up a U.S. consulate office. Before you depart for your trip, write down the address and phone number of the nearest U.S. consulate at your destination country. Consular officers are committed to assisting American citizens who become victims of crime while abroad.

Safe travels,

Kevin Poling

By Angie Robert, Director of Marketing & Communications at Satori World Medical

Last Thursday we launched the first issue of Medical Travel Market Watch, an electronic newsletter aimed at providing information on the medical travel industry. The latest issue covered the hot topic of health care reform, in addition to information on hospitals and physicians, health and travel tips and news specific to Satori World Medical. Medical Travel Market Watch will be distributed electronically on the first Thursday of every other month.

Below is part of the President’s Perspective segment from the current issue. To read the entire newsletter click here or to automatically receive Medical Travel Market Watch in your inbox six times a year, visit the home page of www.satoriworldmedical.com and enter an e-mail address in the newsletter sign-up field.  

As we head into the fall election cycle I would like to offer my perspective on the health care reform legislation (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – PPACA) that was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010 and how the reform measure affects Satori World Medical.

The changes in legislation will offer both positive and negative impacts to U.S. businesses. One of the benefits of the legislation is that we now know how the future of health care is going to be shaped. There are a specific set of deliverables and timetables that have been set.

With the completion of PPACA, businesses are focused again at looking for measures to save on rising health care costs. Because of this, businesses are starting to see a place in their employee benefit plans for medical travel.

With the addition of 40 million Americans, having access to health insurance there will be increased demand for health care services. You couple that with an existing shortage of nurses and doctors, queuing for medical care will be a natural by-product.

As the time to see a specialist increases, more individuals will seek to get immediate help through medical travel. Employers and employees will come to understand the high-quality health care that is available to them internationally as they look to end pain and ill health.

Click here to read the full article.

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

Close contact with several passengers in a confined space is one reason people can get sick after a long flight.  Fortunately, there are easy ways to protect yourself and reduce the chances of feeling under the weather when you reach your destination.

1.       Prepare beforehand: It is important to strengthen your body’s defenses before your travels.  Get a good night’s sleep before you fly out, just in case you are unable to fall asleep during your flight. Also, a few days prior to traveling, take multivitamins to ensure your immune system is in good shape.

2.       Stay hydrated: Prior to boarding the airplane and throughout the duration of the flight, keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water, but try and avoid alcohol and caffeine which can dehydrate.

3.       Bring anti-bacterial wipes: Touching a contaminated magazine or seat, and then touching your nose or mouth can increase your chances of becoming sick. Carry anti-bacterial hand sanitizer in your carryon bag and wash your hands before each meal. You can also bring anti-bacterial towelettes to wipe down your tray table and arm rest.

4.       Reduce stress: Traveling can be taxing at times and stress can lower your immune system. Reduce stress by planning the details of your trip in advance and follow these tips to avoid the hassles of airport security: http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/blog/2010/09/travel-tip-%E2%80%93-friday-september-17/

5.       Take medicine at the first sign of sickness: Colds and flues usually develop slowly. If you do catch a cold after your flight, take medication or an herbal remedy at the first sign of sickness. Sometimes you can head off a cold before it starts.