Be Prepared For Your Exotic Escape

Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, July 05, 2010

Be Prepared For Your Exotic Escape

Q: I am planning a vacation to Cuba and I would like to make sure that I am as healthy as possible before I leave and when I come back -- last time I got sick on the second last day and it wasn't a pleasant trip home.

A: When travelling to exotic destinations you must be aware of several things. First and foremost is sun protection. Use a high number SPF, cover your head and drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. If you want to get some sun the best time is either early morning or after 4 p.m.

Taking some antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and E. will help repair sun damage to the skin.

The other common problem that often strikes travellers is digestive upset. The best thing for that is prevention, rather than treatment. If you know you have a sensitive stomach, make sure you do not eat from street vendors. Also, stay away from raw, uncooked veggies and always wash you hands.

If you are in the area where there are endemic problems such as some parts of Mexico, drink only bottled water and stay away from things that could be washed with contaminated water such as fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled.

Make sure to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora before your vacation and drink lots of water with lemon to increase stomach acid. I also recommend that you take full spectrum digestive enzymes with every meal. Strong stomach acid will kill any potential parasites before they have a chance to make you ill.

Be Prepared For Your Exotic Escape, July 05, 2010
Chronic Bloating, June 28, 2010
The Kidney Stone - Emotion Connection, June 21, 2010
Monitoring Your Health with the Newest Technology, June 14, 2010
Causes of Hair Loss in Teens, June 07, 2010
Achieving Weight Loss Success, May 31, 2010
Pain in the Foot, May 24, 2010
A Treatment Plan for Asperger's Syndrome, May 17, 2010
The Root of a Charlie Horse, May 03, 2010
Too Much Hair, April 26, 2010
The Vaccination Debate, April 19, 2010
Wondering about Water Quality, April 05, 2010
Coffee Addiction Can Damage System, March 22, 2010
The Problem with Low Cholesterol, March 15, 2010
Healing Bursitis, March 08, 2010
Controlling Chemical Sensitivities, March 01, 2010
Proper Liver Maintenance for Gilbert's Syndrome, February 22, 2010
Shea Butter Not Just for Good Looks, February 15, 2010
Fish Oils are Vital for Heart and Brain Health, February 01, 2010
Reducing Scars from the Inside Out, January 25, 2010
Maintaining a Healthy Pair Down There, January 18, 2010
Problematic Potassium Levels, January 11, 2010
Healthy after the Holidays, January 04, 2010
Changing Shape, December 28, 2009
Spending on Your Health Care Pays Off, December 21, 2009
Eating Healthy is Not Expensive, December 14, 2009
Sugar Addiction to Blame for Anger Issues, December 07, 2009
Those last 5 Pounds, November 30, 2009
Examining Eye Health , November 16, 2009
Proactive Plan for Asthma Sufferers, November 09, 2009
Eat Alkaline Foods to Protect from the Flu, November 02, 2009
Ridding the Body of Toxic Mercury, October 26, 2009
Protecting your Baby from H1N1, October 19, 2009
Food Related Panic Attacks, October 12, 2009
Methods to Cope with Hyperhidrosis, October 05, 2009
Fight H1N1 With Natural Methods, September 28, 2009
Many Reasons for Dark Circles, September 21, 2009
Can Food Alter your Brain?, September 14, 2009
Suffering from Second Hand Smoke, August 31, 2009
Is Your Child Allergic?, August 17, 2009
Healing a Migraine through the Bowels, August 10, 2009
Keep a Diet Diary to Detect Sensitivities, August 03, 2009
Be Clear about Safety of Weight Loss Program, July 27, 2009
Care after Chemotherapy, July 20, 2009
Treating Ailments Starts with Healthy Digestion, July 13, 2009
Examining Food Sensitivities, July 06, 2009
Low Sex Drive at Male Peak, June 29, 2009
The Importance Vitamins and Minerals during Alcohol Detox, June 22, 2009
Food Alone will not Nourish, June 15, 2009
The Damaging Effects of Daily Stress, June 08, 2009
Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies in OCD Sufferers, June 01, 2009
Proper testing required for low platelets, May 18, 2009
Diet and Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes, May 11, 2009
Protecting yourself Naturally Against the Swine Flu, May 04, 2009
Healing from a Hysterectomy, April 20, 2009
Pregnancy without a Period, April 13, 2009
Snoring Sufferers, April 06, 2009
The Benefits of DHEA and Melatonin Supplementation, March 30, 2009
Healing Hormonal Acne, March 16, 2009
Midlife Crisis or Male Menopause / Andropause?, March 09, 2009
Alternative Therapies for Stomach Cancer Treatment, March 02, 2009
What Every Woman Needs to Know about Hormones, February 22, 2009
A Lemon a Day can Keep the Doctor Away, February 15, 2009
Killing Parasites with Optimal Digestion, February 08, 2009
Give Much Consideration Before Getting Tubes Tied, February 01, 2009
Soothing the Shakes, January 26, 2009
The Mother of all Vinegars, January 19, 2009
Healing Ulcers, January 12, 2009
Maintaining Healthy Circulation, January 05, 2009
The Physical Harm of Addiction, December 22, 2008
Maintaining the Quality of your Vitamins, December 15, 2008
Health During the Holidays, December 08, 2008
Repairing Burned Skin, December 01, 2008
Pregnancy without a Period, November 17, 2008
The Colors of Unhealthy Digestion, November 03, 2008
Managing Migraines, October 27, 2008
Boosting your Immune to Fight off Winter Bugs, October 20, 2008
Restoring Hormone Balance, October 13, 2008
Taming Tonsillitis, October 06, 2008
Reducing Puffy Eyes, September 15, 2008
Low Glycemic Foods for Gestational Diabetes, September 08, 2008
Minimizing Motion Sickness, September 01, 2008
Preventive Action for Listeria Infection, August 25, 2008
Treating Arthritis, August 18, 2008
Better Eye Health, August 11, 2008
Curing Canker Sores, August 04, 2008
Restorative Hints for Exhaustion, July 28, 2008
Dealing with Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), July 21, 2008
Maintaining Weight after Mesotherapy Treatments, July 14, 2008
Reducing Rosacea from the Inside Out, July 07, 2008
Fighting Cancer using Multiple Modalities, June 30, 2008
The Right Combination for Stronger Bones, June 23, 2008
Moderate amounts of Vitamin A During Pregnancy, June 16, 2008
Saving your Skin, June 09, 2008
Prepping for a Marathon, June 02, 2008
Containing Your Cough, May 26, 2008
Protecting Children from the Sun, May 19, 2008
Avoiding Athletes Foot, May 12, 2008
Hair Loss After Pregnancy, May 05, 2008
Looking beautiful on the inside and out, April 28, 2008
Sushi time is not all the time, April 21, 2008
Fatty acids essential, April 14, 2008
How to treat bladder infections without antibiotics, March 31, 2008
Minimizing Garlic Breath, March 24, 2008
Caution when detoxifing on your own, March 17, 2008
Healthy hints for your travels, March 10, 2008
Treat the kidney stones before considering pregnancy, March 03, 2008
Travels require planning, February 25, 2008
Dangers of detox, February 08, 2008
Understanding HPV is important, February 04, 2008
Boosting gut function, January 28, 2008
Dark circles could be linked to holidays, January 21, 2008
Don't sweat it, January 14, 2008
Losing your voice, January 07, 2008
Working on your pH balance, December 24, 2007
Natural ways to yourself protect against the flu, December 17, 2007
Dizziness spelled out, December 10, 2007
Be wary of fluoride, December 03, 2007
Drop weight with plain yogurt, November 26, 2007
Keep an eye on skin, November 19, 2007
Protect your skin, November 12, 2007
Fish oil healthy brain food, November 05, 2007
Getting pregnant, October 29, 2007
Where does detox fit in?, October 22, 2007
Treatment for sciatica, October 15, 2007
Breakout blitz, October 01, 2007
Herbs that heal inflammation, September 17, 2007
Awakening treatment for chronic fatigue, September 10, 2007
Take precautions with plastic bottles, August 27, 2007
Ease your baby's pain in the tooth, August 13, 2007
Overloading on iron, July 30, 2007
Rejuvenation preparation, July 23, 2007
Social drinking may not be so innocent, July 16, 2007
Healthy hints for vacationing, July 09, 2007
Healthy choice for that summer glow, June 25, 2007
Myth or fact: The pill causes you to gain weight, June 18, 2007
Take it easy on the sugar, June 11, 2007
Looking wonderful on your wedding day, June 04, 2007
Natural choices for newborn, May 28, 2007
Find cause of iron overload, May 14, 2007
Numb feet: Nerve or circulatory?, May 07, 2007
Regulating an irregular menstrual cycle, April 30, 2007
Good health can be found in the spice rack, April 16, 2007
Getting rid of the flakes, April 09, 2007
Dowsing the Burn of Acid Reflux, April 02, 2007
Many reasons why bacteria produce gas, March 26, 2007
The war on plantar warts, March 19, 2007
Quick and healthy food on the go, March 12, 2007
Baby making woes, March 05, 2007
Baby love, February 26, 2007
Remedies to rid wrinkles, February 19, 2007
The many benefits of coconut oil, February 12, 2007
Get the most from veggies, February 05, 2007
Cranberries not just for turkey, January 29, 2007
Eating more to maintain a healthy weight, January 22, 2007
The smell of healthy eating, January 15, 2007
Finding the right vitamins, January 08, 2007
Bundle up to fight colds, December 18, 2006
Could the weather be making me feel sick?, December 11, 2006
Coping with dry skin, December 04, 2006
Why a diet rich in fish may prevent Alzheimer's disease, November 27, 2006
Is it a sensitivity or an allergy?, November 06, 2006
Battling the flu, October 30, 2006
Fighting cancer the natural way, October 23, 2006
Feeding your child's brain, October 16, 2006
Get on the natural path, October 02, 2006
How to spot a pot addict, September 28, 2006
Seeking a smarter food mix, September 14, 2006
My doctor says I'm fine, but I still feel sick, September 07, 2006
Panicked about attacks, August 31, 2006
Cancer in the family, August 17, 2006
Just wants clean, clear skin, August 10, 2006
Toilet seat safety in question, August 03, 2006
Natural ways to block the sun, July 27, 2006
Sweet news for chocolate lovers, July 13, 2006
Conquering cold sores, July 06, 2006
Magnetic powers, June 29, 2006
Spend on organic, save your health, June 22, 2006
Kick the habit with natural supplements, June 15, 2006
More reasons to avoid soda pop, June 08, 2006
355 ml of pop may lead to 355 health issues, June 01, 2006
Cute rabbit may cause ugly rash, May 25, 2006
Most natural form of birth control, May 18, 2006
Cleanse your body of MSGs, May 11, 2006
Downside of anti-depressants, May 04, 2006
Fast food not required for fast-paced life, April 27, 2006
Cancer: Easier to prevent than treat, April 20, 2006
Making skin rash decisions, April 13, 2006
Seeking help for red cheeks, April 06, 2006
Spring cleaning for the body, March 30, 2006
Get a flat tummy, March 23, 2006
Feeding yourself and baby, March 16, 2006
Pick your vitamins carefully, March 09, 2006
Stevia: Sweeter than sugar, March 02, 2006
Inner cleanse may be in order, February 23, 2006
Several reasons behind hair loss, February 16, 2006
Cooking with oil? Research your choices, February 09, 2006
Body products: Keep it natural, February 02, 2006
Trouble with the twitch, January 26, 2006
Shingles can be treated, January 19, 2006
Is white bread really so bad?, January 12, 2006
Migraine sufferers look to your diet, January 05, 2006
Dealing with holiday stress, December 22, 2005
Dogs need herbal meds, too, December 15, 2005
Morning, noon, night sickness, December 09, 2004
Should I get a flu shot?, December 01, 2005
Options to the birth control patch, November 24, 2005
Rosy cheeks not from blushing, November 17, 2005
Swinging back at painful IC, November 10, 2005
SAD sufferers still in the dark, November 03, 2005
Tricks to make him eat his veggies, October 27, 2005
Tips for fighting off winter's ills, October 20, 2005
Misaligned spine may be cause for extreme fatigue, October 13, 2005
Cholesterol can be tricky to control, October 06, 2005
Important to support healthy cells for recovery, September 23, 2005
Naturally hitting back at side-effects, September 16, 2005
Keeping your child healthy, September 09, 2005
How to get a better night's sleep the natural way, September 02, 2005
Food sensitivity takes a long time to develop, August 19, 2005
Bad skin a likely sign of something off-balance, August 08, 2005

Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca