Travelling With a Medical Condition

Travel is one of life’s greatest joys, offering the opportunity to break away from the routine and explore the wonders of the world. It allows us to immerse ourselves in different cultures, taste exotic cuisines, see breathtaking landscapes, and learn more about ourselves through diverse encounters. However, when it comes to travelling with a medical condition, it can be easy to feel restricted by your situation and unsure whether you can make travel work while keeping your health in mind.

The thought of navigating airports, long flights, or unfamiliar surroundings might seem daunting, but with careful planning and the right mindset, these challenges can be overcome. We're here to tell you that you can enjoy the world and travel abroad, even when living with a health condition. In this article, we’ll offer a range of tips for travelling with a medical condition that can show you that, with a little bit of planning and preparedness, there is no reason to miss out on amazing experiences.

From consulting with your healthcare provider before departure to organizing your medications and researching the medical facilities available at your destination, these small steps can make a big difference.

Pick a Destination that Won’t Hinder Your Condition

The first thing you should do before booking your trip or proceeding any further with the planning process is to decide on a location. This decision is crucial and should be made with careful consideration of various factors, one of which is your medical condition. Did you know that, depending on your specific health issues, certain climates can exacerbate your condition and worsen symptoms?

For instance, if you suffer from respiratory issues like asthma, humid and hot weather might make it difficult to breathe comfortably. Similarly, those with autoimmune conditions may find that extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can trigger flare-ups.

It's important to research the climate of your potential destinations and consult with your healthcare provider to ensure that your chosen location is conducive to your health and well-being. This way, you can enjoy your trip without unnecessary health complications. 

READ MORE: What Medical Conditions Get Worse in Hot Weather?

Talk to Your GP or Medical Specialist

It is vital to make the time to talk to your GP or medical specialist before you go away, and if possible before you even book your trip. There is no one better equipped to offer you advice and guidance on your travel plans than your GP, who’ll know both the intricacies of your condition and how it affects you personally.

For those with conditions that can be affected by different temperatures, weather conditions or other factors, your doctor can help you plan your trip and pick a suitable destination. It might also be that they can advise you on a holiday type, and whether something full of adventure or laid-back and relaxing is better for your needs.

Your medical professional will also be able to make sure you’re prepared in case you have an emergency or a flare-up whilst travelling. They’ll be able to advise you on medication needs for the trip and might even be able to offer information on medical care in the location you’re travelling to.

One thing they can do that’ll be highly beneficial (which we’ll recommend you do later on in this guide) is provide you with any necessary documentation or letters about your condition and the medication you’re on. This information can be helpful to your travelling companions if an emergency does arise, as it means they don’t need to memorise everything about your condition and medication. It can also be supplied to accommodation or tour operators if required.

Ensure You Have the Right Travel Insurance Policy for Your Needs

Making sure you have travel insurance before going on any holiday is essential, but did you know that many standard policies don’t cover undisclosed, pre-existing medical conditions? At Medical Travel Compared, we can help you compare quotes for travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. This means that you can be sure you’ll have the most suitable cover, for the best price, giving you peace of mind that should anything happen, you won’t need to foot the bill. 

Victoria is a travel blogger at Travel Vixta. Her son has a heart condition, so she is all too aware of the extra steps needed when someone travels with a medical condition, and she was shocked to find out some travel insurers wouldn’t cover her son at all. She told us:

“Make sure you check the fine print of your travel insurance to ensure that your medical condition is covered. It is important to do this because not all travel insurance policies cover pre-existing medical conditions. If your condition is not covered and you need medical treatment while travelling, you could be faced with a large medical bill.

To avoid this, make sure you carefully read the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy at the time of booking to ensure it covers your medical condition. If not, you may want to look for travel insurance from another provider in case of a medical emergency. Travel insurance may be slightly more expensive for some conditions, but it's worth the extra cost to ensure you are adequately covered. Also, take any necessary medications with you and have a plan in place in case you need medical treatment while travelling.”

Make Your Travel Companions Aware of Your Condition

Sometimes, we might find ourselves travelling with people who are not aware of our medical conditions or the intricacies of our medical conditions, for example, on a work trip or a large group holiday. Whilst travel is a wonderful way to get to know new people, it can mean that if something happens, they might not know the best ways to react or what they should do to help.

Before you travel anywhere, even with people you’re accustomed to travelling with, it can be worth letting your travelling companions know what to do in the case of an emergency. This can be explaining the medication you take to them, where you keep your prescription, and what a medical professional might need to know if you are unable to relay the information yourself.

Additionally, when it comes to travel insurance, take the time to consider including both you and your travelling companions (providing you are travelling together) under one travel insurance policy. This can make things a little easier for you all, instead of undergoing the hassle and expense of securing separate policies for each traveller, one comprehensive policy can be purchased to cover the entire group - and can help with reducing costs.

READ MORE: Travelling as a Group

Research Medical Facilities in the Area You’re Visiting

If you have a medical condition and need help whilst you’re in the UK, it is easy and straightforward enough to know where to go and who to call, but that isn’t always the case when you’re travelling abroad. Even before you book your holiday, research the location you are planning to visit and make sure there are amenities like pharmacies or a local hospital nearby, so you know exactly where you need to go if an emergency occurs.

If you have already booked your holiday, upon arrival, ask a member of staff at the hotel for the contact details and address/directions for the local pharmacies and hospitals, so you aren’t caught short in case of a medical need. If your hotel isn’t near any amenities, then at least you know you will need to drive or get a taxi and can plan this into your journey. 

Petra, a blogger at A Mum Reviews, spoke to us about how important it is to be prepared when travelling with a medical condition and researching the area you’re visiting is an integral part of this preparation. She told us:

“Do your research in advance to make sure that things go smoothly on your trip. If you need any special supplies or medicines, take them with you or check in advance what you will be able to find at your destination. If you’re travelling abroad, check in advance what happens in a medical emergency and bring any medical information that would be useful in an emergency. This could even be translated into the native language of the country you’re visiting. Being prepared will help you feel relaxed and be able to enjoy your travels better, as well as be very helpful in case of an emergency.”

READ MORE: How to Find Medical Care Abroad

Carry Your Medical Information With You

You are likely familiar with the medication you take daily and your medical history, but in an emergency situation, it’s crucial that the people who need this information can access it quickly. Consider obtaining a Medical ID - a bracelet, necklace or card, that details all the important information about your medical history. Medical IDs can also be set up on most smartphones.

READ MORE: The Importance of Medical IDs When Travelling

This can be especially important when travelling abroad, where language barriers and different medical practices may complicate matters. We always recommend taking comprehensive and relevant information with you. This should include prescriptions, a list of the medications you are currently taking, and detailed information from your doctor about the conditions these medications are meant to treat.

Additionally, if you have had recent surgery, recently fallen ill, or started taking any new medications, obtaining a fit-to-fly form from your doctor is advisable. This form can serve as proof of your health status and the necessity of your medications, which can be invaluable if you're questioned about your condition at the airport.

READ MORE: Fit-to-Fly Certificates

Bring More Medication than You Think You’ll Need

Holidays and trips don’t always go to plan, and sometimes delays are inevitable due to unforeseen circumstances like weather disruptions or transportation issues. Therefore, bringing more medication than you need for the days you are planning to be away is a wise idea to ensure you are prepared for any scenario.

Before you travel, it’s important to discuss with your doctor about ensuring your prescription will cover not only your trip but also an extra margin of time. This way, you won’t be caught short if you need to extend your trip unexpectedly, face any delays in returning home, or lose your medication. Additionally, you may require a letter from your doctor explaining what your medications are for when passing through airport security.

When travelling, splitting your medications between your hand luggage and your suitcase is always advisable. This way, should your suitcase be lost in transit, you have some backup medications available while you wait for it to be found.

READ MORE: Travelling with Medications

Prepare for Your Long Haul Flight

Long-haul flights can be challenging for both the body and mind, particularly if you have specific medical needs or conditions. Planning is essential to ensure comfort and well-being throughout your journey. Start by keeping all necessary medications easily accessible in your carry-on luggage. Pack essentials like a travel pillow and blanket to help you rest on the plane.

Staying hydrated is crucial, so bring an empty refillable water bottle to fill after security. Consider wearing compression socks to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis, especially on long flights. Lastly, try to move around when possible; a brief walk up and down the aisle or some in-seat stretches can significantly improve circulation and help prevent stiffness or discomfort.

READ MORE: Mastering Long-Haul Flights

Travelling when you’ve got a medical condition might seem daunting, but with the proper preparation, you’ll be able to enjoy a trip to the fullest and have peace of mind that, should something happen, you’re ready and covered. Feel free to use the checklist above for future trips to ensure you’ve followed all these essential steps.

We have a wealth of travel insurance guides ready to help if you want more travel insurance information. For more destination and travel advice, check out our blog.