Podcast: WHAT DOES YOUR DOCTOR SAY?

Episode: How to take care of your health while traveling?

Leading: Dariusz Litera

Guest: Dr. Marcin Roszkowski, family medicine specialist

Duration: 22 minutes

A vacation is synonymous with relaxation, a change of scenery, and time spent with family. However, before your vacation begins, it's worth taking care of your health: regular medications, bandages, sunscreen, and basic emergency procedures.

Dariusz Litera's conversation with Dr. Marcin Roszkowski, a family medicine specialist, offers practical tips on preparing a travel first aid kit, taking your child to summer camp, motion sickness, and traveler's diarrhea. The expert emphasizes both the safety of pharmacotherapy and the sensible use of medical care while on vacation.

This is a transcript of an educational conversation, prepared for patients and parents who are planning a vacation trip and want to reduce the risk of health problems while traveling.

Full podcast transcript

[00:00:00] Why is it worth preparing healthily for the holidays?

Dariusz Litera:

Health is too precious to be wasted on a vacation. Therefore, before the holiday season begins, it's worth preparing well. What should you pack for your trip? What should you remember to feel safe and avoid illness or injury?

Today, your doctor is Dr. Marcin Roszkowski, a specialist in family medicine. Good morning, doctor.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Good morning, Mr. Editor. Good morning everyone.

[00:00:25] What medications should you take on vacation?

Dariusz Litera:

So let's start packing. It's a joyful moment. The holidays are approaching. Everyone's in a great mood. What medications should we take on vacation to feel safe?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

As for that joyful moment, I'd disagree. The joyful moment is when we arrive on vacation and begin to enjoy our free time.

I would divide these medications by patient, depending on the people going on vacation. For healthy individuals, I would recommend…

Dariusz Litera:

There are no healthy people.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

They are underdiagnosed!

For such people, I would recommend medications that will help with conditions like infections and cuts. However, we must remember that many people take medications on a regular basis, so I would take an appropriate supply of these medications.

There are also people who need to remember to take medications occasionally, so-called "short-term" medications, such as those with asthma. Sometimes, they may need to take more than one medication. These medications also need to be taken with care.

I would also include medicines used to treat wounds, burns, dressings, and disinfectants.

Dariusz Litera:

This means that we should take a large first aid kit with us.

[00:01:28] Travel first aid kit: buy it locally or take it with you?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Or a large credit card.

Dariusz Litera:

So everything can be purchased locally?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

It depends on where we are going, how we prepare and how we plan.

Dariusz Litera:

First, let's go to the Baltic Sea, let's hope for some great weather. Let's pack up the family and head to the Baltic Sea.

But assuming that we remember our regularly taken medications, what the doctor said, and any medications or bandages that might come in handy if, for example, we strain something or get a cut, what should be in such a first aid kit and what should it look like?

Do we distribute medications to each household member we take on vacation? Do we have one designated person? My wife fulfills this role. Indeed, when we travel and the whole family travels, it's obvious: she knows what to administer to whom and tries to keep track of it.

But when sending children on vacation, for example, should we also equip them with such a kit? Or do we need to consider completely different possibilities?

[00:02:27] First aid kit for the family and first aid kit for a child for a trip

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

These are two absolutely different situations.

First, when we're traveling alone, there's only one person in charge. Usually, it's my wife. However, since I'm a doctor, I'm the one who keeps an eye on things.

I have a list of medications I take with me. This list is also very general, so it can apply to all travelers. I pack medications primarily with infections in mind—infections in myself and in my children. This includes respiratory infections, skin reactions, allergies, and medications affecting the digestive tract.

Dariusz Litera:

We'll be talking about these medications many times in our podcasts preparing listeners for vacation. Indeed, such digestive ailments are very common, and this is due to the fact that we travel and various situations arise.

But let's get back to packing our first aid kit. Should we pay any attention to how these medications are stored? After all, it'll be 30 degrees outside, and even 35 degrees in the car when we're driving. Do we need to pack them in any special way?

[00:03:29] How to store medications when traveling?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

By design, general medications can be stored at temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius. I don't expect us to be exposed to much higher temperatures. Even if we were to stay at 30 degrees Celsius, these medications would hold up.

They have a certain level of safety, usually in tablet form, where nothing will happen. Or in powder form—that's fine too, in sealed preparations.

So, yes, storage is wise. However, I would say it's simply based on intuition.

Dariusz Litera:

It's a different story if we have someone with us who, for example, regularly takes insulin. People with diabetes know very well how to handle this medication and how it should be transported. Here, we assume that their awareness is slightly higher than that of the average patient.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Of course. Please also include, for example, people with severe allergies or anaphylactic reactions who must carry adrenaline in prefilled syringes. This also needs to be stored under appropriate conditions, otherwise it degrades and becomes unusable.

Dariusz Litera:

So the adrenaline that we can inject into our thigh should be stored at a lower temperature and never in the sun.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

It absolutely must not be exposed to high temperatures.

Dariusz Litera:

A very valuable note. All allergy sufferers who carry this type of equipment should ensure the appropriate temperature and method of transport.

[00:04:33] A child goes to summer camp: what should a parent prepare?

Dariusz Litera:

My daughter is going to summer camp at the beginning of the summer. And now, as a parent, I have a question for the doctor: what should I keep in mind when preparing her for the trip? This is a one-time thing. And do I need to prepare the trip organizers in any way if my child has specific health needs?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Organizers typically provide some form of medical care, whether it's a nurse, access to a doctor, or a paramedic. These individuals are authorized to administer medications, even fever medications.

A teenager is a relatively responsible person, so when it comes to certain medications, you can – based on your own experience – trust such a person.

However, let's assume we absolutely do not administer any medications. Then we must ensure that the camp or summer camp has a person qualified to administer such medications.

The simplest situation is a fever. There are antipyretics: ibuprofen or paracetamol. Later, it might be throat sprays, tablets, cough syrups, or dressings for cuts. Antibiotic ointment.

These are things we wouldn't necessarily give a small child on a trip. It's important to talk to the organizers, preferably providing written information about any medical conditions, medications, dosages, timings, food allergies, allergies to other substances, and allergies to Hymenoptera venom.

Finally, I would add something else that is also a cosmetic or medicine, namely sun protection products.

Dariusz Litera:

Because the youngest don't always remember this. In fact, they try to avoid it.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

And this is very important.

[00:06:19] Sun protection for children

Dariusz Litera:

The skin may absorb too much of these sun rays and unforeseen disturbances may occur that will spoil the trip to a camp or summer camp.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Moreover, long-term consequences can occur. It is estimated that even a single severe sunburn in childhood predisposes to the development of melanoma in the future.

The question is: how much? However, it's statistically significant. I'm guessing: 1%, 2% raises. It's already statistically noticeable.

Dariusz Litera:

Here I can already see some listeners who will actually think about ensuring that every little one traveling with them has some sort of product in their luggage containing filters to counteract ultraviolet rays.

We'll be talking about this again—both the sun and its effects—in future episodes of our podcast. But for now, when packing, it's crucial not to forget, because this young person might not necessarily be there…

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

She will have time and attention.

Dariusz Litera:

To get such a product and remember to lubricate and protect yourself from ultraviolet rays.

[00:07:17] What health information should I provide to the camp organizers?

Dariusz Litera:

What health information that the doctor mentioned should I consult with the organizers, but more in-depth?

This means that if the child is actually taking any medication on a regular basis, I have to provide this in writing so that there are no doubts.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Absolutely black and white. I think the organizers will also require such medications to be documented.

Dariusz Litera:

This means it must be supported by a statement. Sometimes we sign a statement stating that the child must take certain medications. This is a signed statement that makes the organizers feel responsible for administering the medication.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Many organizers try to impose this obligation on family doctors and primary care physicians. However, adults, parents, have every right to provide such information and take responsibility for it, so this seems somewhat unjustified to me.

Dariusz Litera:

So, going back to the doctor for a special certificate for a summer camp or a day camp stating that a specific medication should be given to the child is too long, because the parent is already responsible for administering this medication every day.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

The parent has been administering these medications for years, so why should they rely on the knowledge or authority of a doctor? Perhaps not so much on knowledge, but on the doctor's authority, signature, stamp, and other complications.

Dariusz Litera:

After all, it is the parent or legal guardian who takes care of the child on a daily basis.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Well, of course, these are parenting skills.

Dariusz Litera:

They matter.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Unfortunately, there is no organized driving license for parenting, but yes — every parent wants the best for their child.

[00:08:52] Children's holidays and contact with parents

Dariusz Litera:

Of course, they also want to be calm. This vacation should be a joy for the child, not an unpleasant experience involving constant contact with their parents: whether or not to provide information, what to do. This causes a lot of stress.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Especially since these days we'd like to break away from all these communication devices. We'd like our children to enjoy the trees, grass, and sea during their vacation, rather than constantly being on the phone with their parents or otherwise.

Dariusz Litera:

I'm familiar with the situation, having experienced campers' phones being transferred only for 45 minutes to an hour after lunch. Only then was there contact with parents and guardians. Children were allowed to use their phones, and then they were gathered, turned off, and said goodbye.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

I think we should consider this behavior the norm. I've also seen cases where kids have their phones kept in storage. Then they can use them however they want for a set period of time. That's a topic for another discussion, of course.

[00:09:51] Mental Health and Screen Rest

Dariusz Litera:

But this is about rest for the child and getting into a completely different routine. Because when we talk about health, it's about overall well-being: physical health and mental health.

When it comes to freedom from these—let's not be afraid of this word—addictions, many young people are so attached to new media, to their phones, laptops, and computers, that we can safely speak of media addiction. Because it has to be called that. All these instant messaging apps and games, in a sense, constitute media.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

As a doctor, I should also add that it is all because of receptors and substances in the brain that act exactly the same way as irritants.

This is the entire dopaminergic system. There's a direct connection between the screen and the reward. Kids these days have a very short waiting period for a reward. That's precisely why: they turn on their phone, they get a reward. The brain is stimulated, and there's pleasure.

Access to these phones will be a major problem for these children in the future, as they've learned to get what they want immediately. And it will become a problem when they need to have delayed gratification.

Dariusz Litera:

So if we're talking about healthy holidays, let's also mention health, meaning health and freedom. Freedom from the objects and media that in some way addict and limit us.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

This is their role, this is their structure, this is their operating principle. They are adapted to this purpose.

Dariusz Litera:

It's hard to enjoy the sea, the lake, the summer, the forest when we constantly have to look at our smartphone screen.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

I once read a beautiful anecdote: a father and his son are driving, and after a moment of silence, the father tries to engage the child in conversation. "My son, a beautiful lake," and the son says, "I see it on the GPS.".

[00:11:43] Motion sickness: how to prepare your child for travel?

Dariusz Litera:

Exactly. Now, we're back to packing from this trip, remembering, of course, to put those phones and smartphones out of sight.

Motion sickness. Because we've already packed our things, we're putting it all in the car.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Speaking of smartphones…

Dariusz Litera:

Smartphones too. Should we prepare any remedies for our child to alleviate motion discomfort?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Does your child suffer from motion sickness? Does your child experience severe discomfort while traveling?

Dariusz Litera:

Let's define the illness, because feeling nauseated or slightly dizzy every now and then is probably not motion sickness, right?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

My short career as a sea sailor has shown me that anyone will get seasick, provided the waves are big enough.

I think it's the same with cars. Any child can experience motion sickness, provided there are sufficiently intense turns and impact on the vestibular system. The point is that there's a separation between what the eyes see, what the proprioceptors sense, and what the vestibular system senses.

Dariusz Litera:

It's a bit of a stretch.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Yes, this is the quintessence of motion sickness.

Right now, rear-facing car seats are incredibly trendy—and rightly so, of course. These seats face the rear of the car and are rear-facing. Such a child often sits deep in the seat, deep between the doors, securely secured. They practically only see the back seat and the backrest.

And that's when the dissonance occurs. He feels the car moving through space, but all he sees is a stationary, unchanging point.

If you have a child who suffers from motion sickness, it's important to remember that small children who cry in the car can also suffer from motion sickness. They don't have to vomit, and they can also feel unwell during the ride.

It would be good to sit the child down so that he or she can see more, so that he or she can focus on some distant point in the landscape, one that will not move much, but where he or she will be able to see the entire horizon and how it changes.

I don't know if I can advise this, because it's a bit less safe, but effective: putting the child in the front seat.

[00:13:46] What helps with motion sickness?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Unfortunately, there are children who are absolutely unable to sit still anywhere else and…

Dariusz Litera:

Endure this journey.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

And endure it without stomach upsets.

So, that front seat—don't give your child a phone, don't let them be on the phone. We can sing, we can play an audiobook for them in the car, we can listen. They can't fixate on a game, a book, a smartphone. They need to look outside, distract themselves.

And it would be good if the child sat in the front seat, which, however, causes fewer symptoms of motion sickness.

Dariusz Litera:

So if we have such a person and we know that there may be a problem, we immediately organize our passengers so that the seat in front is reserved for the most vulnerable person.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

We need to weigh the pros and cons of the front seat.

And one last thing I, as a physician, must mention: there are pharmaceuticals involved. Medications that are associated with this type of anti-allergic agent work quite well.

Dariusz Litera:

But they are prescription only.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Yes. I think every family doctor can handle this. I didn't want to use that word.

Dariusz Litera:

Young people nowadays understand many things, including this word.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

So this smart doctor has to figure it out too.

Dariusz Litera:

I understand. Do I need to take it a little earlier? Or is it enough just before the trip?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

20–30 minutes, because it needs to be absorbed. These are medications that work for 6 to 8 hours.

Dariusz Litera:

So we serve and we're calm. Just before we leave, we serve.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

We need to test it on a shorter distance. It might turn out that the child will feel worse after taking the medication than without it, and suddenly we're on our way to Croatia.

Dariusz Litera:

Well, a dozen or so hours. Sometimes, depending on the route we choose and how many compatriots want to go there at the same time.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Or on May 9, how many Czechs will travel.

[00:15:28] Traveler's diarrhea: when can it occur?

Dariusz Litera:

This situation may also arise.

The travel plan also includes preparing for motion sickness and another illness. Let's prepare ourselves in advance, because as we all know: we get on and off at different points, our hands get dirty, and then: "Get some sandwiches." Traveler's diarrhea will suddenly appear.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Traveler's diarrhea is a diagnosis reserved for symptoms that occur during the stay.

It's more about how humans have learned to travel long distances in a short period of time, completely changing the flora they inhabit. Our usual gut bacteria, of which we have 2 kilograms in our bodies, may turn out to be slightly different, and our bodies may react panickily to them. Diarrhea can occur.

Of course, there may also be pathogens, viruses, bacteria or other nasties that will cause these unpleasant symptoms.

Dariusz Litera:

But during our journey, we might also catch some kind of dirty hands disease. Or maybe along the way we'll eat some ice cream that has thawed and frozen again. Such situations can arise.

And here we should also prepare some security when it comes to medicines.

[00:16:39] How to recognize traveler's diarrhea?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

I think knowledge first.

We need to know that when we have some mild discomfort, let's say below the navel, when we have flatulence, or possibly some stinging - well, above the navel - and then we have troublesome bowel movements, which are watery, which become more frequent, especially more than three a day, we call this traveler's diarrhea.

Such symptoms are short-lived, as they last for several days.

Dariusz Litera:

A few days - sometimes it's half a vacation.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

What can I do? If it lasts a few days, let's say it's traveler's diarrhea. After that, we have to consider whether it's some other infection.

Well, yes, dirty hands, but there's also a simple change in bacterial flora. We don't disinfect every piece of food or every bottle we put to our mouths. These are also simply transmitted infections.

[00:17:31] Rehydration for diarrhea: what to give your child?

Dariusz Litera:

There is one issue: we must remember that if diarrhea occurs and, as the name suggests, we run several times…

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

It is such a paradox, because it happens both rarely and often.

Dariusz Litera:

We rarely realize this, yet it often happens to us.

If such situations do arise, we must remember to avoid dehydration. This means that the patient we are caring for who is ill—for example, a juvenile patient who is not overweight—does not become dehydrated, as their fluid balance can change rapidly.

We need to give him something to replenish these deficiencies. I've heard that the usual supplements we often drink after training are very good: isotonic drinks, things like that. Give them.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

This is one of the urban legends. The second legend is that Coca-Cola, degassed.

Isotonic drinks and Coca-Cola, unfortunately, aren't good for rehydrating diarrhea. Water is the best hydration solution for diarrhea. Alternatively, you could mix water and juice, which also contains sugar, but not as much, like fruit juice.

Dariusz Litera:

All right.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

First of all, remember that whether a child is hydrated, apart from the general condition - the fact that the child will not be sleepy or in a very bad mental state - we can tell by when the child pees.

If a child is urinating every 4–6 hours, or at least every 6 hours, we know they're well hydrated. This urine will be straw-colored, meaning light yellow. It won't be dark tea-colored. This means it's been properly diluted by the kidneys, meaning there's plenty of water in the body.

Dariusz Litera:

If it's not straw-colored, we add more water. We give more to drink and make sure that, even though it's water slightly colored with juice, it disappears from the cup.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Slowly, a little at a time. If your child has very intense diarrhea, even a few teaspoons every few minutes.

Dariusz Litera:

This is where you really have to put in the effort.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Yes, with a watch in hand. A doctor can predict how much a child needs to drink and when. However, a parent without medical training should simply give tiny portions, observe how much the child is given, and observe how often the child pees.

[00:19:36] Should I ask my doctor for a prescription before I leave "just in case"?

Dariusz Litera:

This is a very important tip. We will return to this type of ailment.

Now the question is: anticipating that something like this might arise, should we ask our family doctor for a prescription before leaving? Can a doctor help us here?

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

There is always a fear that the patient will not fully understand how the medication works, its side effects, when to use it, and what to expect.

This is a risky situation. I'm far from writing prescriptions for patients traveling. I'd rather they get over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

If they are unsure what to do next, they should seek medical help on site.

Dariusz Litera:

Consultation is needed when any dangerous situations occur.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

I often tell parents: if they don't know what to do, if they feel that the situation is beyond their experience, they should consult a doctor.

[00:20:26] Teleconsultation during the holidays: when can it help?

Dariusz Litera:

And now it's also easier because there's something called teleconsultation.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

A great solution for people traveling. I've had numerous phone calls: "Doctor, I can't come to you right now because I'm in Lubin, recently in Lublin, Lubin, Croatia, and Scotland." Such situations absolutely do happen.

Dariusz Litera:

And patients call with their own issues, sometimes with their children's issues as well.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Children are difficult to diagnose over the phone because experience allows you to assess the child's condition at a glance.

Dariusz Litera:

As seen directly.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

How he enters, how he behaves. The doctor already sees the child's condition. We can't experience this over the phone.

Dariusz Litera:

Nevertheless, such a consultation can often help parents even assess whether local help is required.

Advice can also be provided by a doctor saying over the phone, "No, we won't do anything here. Please contact a doctor immediately and seek help.".

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

I am a parent myself and I know how confusing it can be to feel confused in such situations and unable to make a decision.

[00:21:29] End of conversation

Dariusz Litera:

This means we're not on our own. We have support, and thanks to this contact, we can continue to cope with this problem.

We'll return to the topic of sudden illnesses while on vacation in the podcast "WHAT YOUR DOCTOR SAYS." Our guest is Dr. Marcin Roszkowski, a family medicine specialist. Thank you, doctor.

Dr. Marcin Roszkowski:

Thank you, Mr. Editor. Thank you.

Key takeaways for patients

• When going on holiday, it is worth taking medications you take regularly and an appropriate supply of medications you use on an ad hoc basis.
• A travel first aid kit should include items to help with infections, cuts, skin reactions, allergies and digestive problems.
• Medicines requiring special storage conditions, such as insulin or adrenaline in a pre-filled syringe, should not be exposed to high temperatures or sunlight.
• If a child is going to a summer camp, the parent should provide the organizers with written information about illnesses, medications, doses, times of administration and allergies.
• Children should be protected from the sun; the expert emphasizes the importance of avoiding severe sunburn in childhood.
• For motion sickness, it can be helpful to look at a distant point, avoid focusing on your phone, book or game, and distract your child with conversation, singing or an audiobook.
• It is worth discussing medications used to treat motion sickness with your doctor in advance and testing them on a shorter distance.
• In case of diarrhea, it is crucial to hydrate in small portions; the expert emphasizes that isotonic drinks and degassed cola are not suitable for hydration in case of diarrhea.
• In a child, an important sign of hydration is urination every 4–6 hours and its light, straw color.
• If a parent doesn't know what to do or the situation is beyond their experience, they should consult a doctor. Telemedicine can be helpful, but for children, it doesn't always replace an in-person examination.

Information about participants:

Guest: Dr. Marcin Roszkowski, A family medicine specialist with many years of experience in primary care. In addition to family medicine, he also specializes in obesity treatment and preventive healthcare.

Presenter: Dariusz Litera, medical editor, health communications specialist, and creator of the podcast CO NA TO TWÓJ ELEKARZ. He has been involved in patient education for years, conducting interviews with specialists in various fields of medicine.

ATTENTION!

This material is for educational purposes only. It does not replace a medical consultation. If you experience any disturbing symptoms, consult a doctor.

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