• Medical Resources for Travelers
• Tips that have worked for our Members
• Medical Procedures Abroad

Medical Resources for Travelers

Before you go anywhere you should look up the latest health crises in the region you are thinking of traveling to. World Health Organization

Many regions of the world require vaccinations.  Find out what diseases are rampant in the areas you are traveling to. You should bring this info when you see your doctor for shots. It will also tell you if malaria is a problem and if you may need anti-malaria pills.

Traveler’s Health Kit
Food & Water Safety.  En Espanole!

Find out about counterfeit drugs.
Doctor Back Home - medical advice from a doctor back 'home' - UK based.

Tips that have worked for our Members
We are not medically qualified so this is more a collection of thoughts that have worked for our members.  When you get sick on the road, most of the time it is just plain old food poisoning, so it needs to leave your body…ie you need to puke or have the runs. We were advised not to run for the Imodium (unless you must travel) as it will just fester inside. Our members have said that in general they try to give it 12 hours to leave their bodies. If they are still sick, then they seek stronger measures.  Remember though, this is not an exact science and we are not medically qualified.  If you have any concerns or the food poisioning seems particularly harsh, seek immediate medical help. 

There are also many countries where you must be particularly concerned about getting sick from the water - any third world country and even some first world countries have water issues.  There are a few rules that are passed among travelers: 

1. Don’t drink the water, drink bottled water!

2. Peel it, boil it, cook it

3. If you like to eat market or street food as we do, well, you really have to use your judgment. We always try to pick places that were
(a) cooking food fresh,
(b) the food did not look like it had been sitting out all day in the sun,
(c) we could watch the food being cooked and
(d) there were not bugs crawling all over it.
You may also want to see how they clean their dishes, but sometimes it is better not to know!

4. Travel with a stomach antibiotic. If you’re not too bad (which of course is your judgment) then this should clear it up pretty fast. When you have food poisoning and really cannot keep anything down, even water, fresh coconut milk will keep you from getting dehydrated without further upsetting your stomach and maybe keep you out of the hospital.

5. Organize travel insurance before you leave. Make sure the insurance has Medical Evacuation coverage. If something seriously happened, you would probably want to get back to your home country or to a Western Medical Facility if you are traveling in a third world country. 

Medical Procedures Abroad
We are just starting to compile a list, but we see a big trend in people flying to other countries for cheaper medical procedures.  This is particularly a big trend out of the USA where medical costs are outragious.  Why not have a week holiday in Prague and pay for that root canal, all for half the price of your visit to the dentist in the USA?

• Argentina – Plastic Surgery
• Czech Republic – Dental
• China – Adoption
• Israel – IVF
• Thailand - Plastic Surgery, Dental and Tattoo Removals