Traveller's Health Flashcards
(15 cards)
who is more likely to get motion sickness
-women
-children 3-12 years
-people that suffer with migraines
symptoms of motion sickness
Begins with nausea, discomfort in upper abdomen
More severe: pale skin, cold sweat, fainting, shallow breathing, vomiting
when to refer for motion sickness
if symptoms continue after travelling has stopped, suggestive of labyrinthitis (inflammation of inner ear that controls balance and hearing)
treatment for motion sickness and side effects (tablets and patches)
TAKE MEDICATION BEFORE JOURNEY BEGINS TO PREVENT SYMTPOMS
-hyoscine tablets, 1 tablet 20 mins before journey, then repeat ever 6 hours if required
-hyoscine patches, 1 patch every 3 days
side effects: drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation
rare side effect: nausea, vomiting
who should be cautious of the treatment for motion sickness
-children/elderly
-epilepsy
-kidney/liver problems
-heart problems
what is another motion sickness medication (tablets) and side effects
antihistamines
-promethazine 1x at night
-25mg for adults and children above 10
-10mg for 5-10
-5mg for 2-5
side effects
-drowsiness
-headaches
-dry mouth
practical measures for motion sickness
-look straight ahead at fixed point
-focus on breathing
-break up long journeys
-distract children by singing, talking etc.
whare are non medicinal treatments for motion sickness
-ginger biscuits, tea etc. Prevents nausea but can cause diarrhoea
-acupressure bands. apply pressure to a point on the inside of wrist between two tendons on the forearms
what is deep vein thrombosis
-formation of a blood clot in a deep vein usually in the legs which can partially or completely obstruct blood flow
-can be due to inactivity due to travelling
who is more likely to experience dvt
-family history of it
-medical conditions
-obesity
-pregnancy
symptoms of dvt
-pain and swelling
-warm skin in area of clot
-redness of skin
what is a severe symptom od dvt
-piece of the blood clot breaking off into the bloodstream and blocking blood vessels in the lung
-causes breathing difficulties, chest pain, heart failure
treatment for DVT and their side effects
-anticoagulation (prevents blood from clotting)
Parenteral (not taking by mouth) e.g. heparin, dalteparin, enoxaparin
Side effects include: skin rash, allergic reaction, bleeding
USED AFTER HEPARIN TREATMENT oral: warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants e.g. apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, dabigatran
prevention methods of dvt
-graduated compression hosiery, tight fitted elastic stocking that applies more pressure at the ankle and less as it goes up. PREVENTS CALF PAIN
-raise legs to relieve pressure in veins of the calf and stops blood pooling. legs must be higher than hip
-Stay healthy weight
-drink plenty of water
-perform simple leg exercises
-don’t sit for long periods of time
-wear loose comfy clothing
