Health on the go

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Health on the go
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Health on the go

Health on the go
Motorcycle vacation: medical guide

Health is not everything, but without health everything is nothing. So that infections, toothache or fall malaises do not tip over your vacation, here are a number of tips for optimal prevention and first aid on the go.

Nicolas Streblow, Wilhelm Hahn

05/23/2007

Fever, nausea, a fall with a broken bone or a dog bite – everything is uncomfortable at home, but on vacation it can be fun killer to the power of ten. However, those who take good precautions can avoid many illnesses or know – if it does happen – the right behavior in a physical emergency. We have put together the most important tips in collaboration with a doctor who is experienced in motorcycle travel. However, we cannot accept liability for the correctness.

Fit for the motorcycle
Fully occupied with travel planning, equipment issues and motorcycle inspections, preparing your own body is easily forgotten even before long trips. As banal as it sounds, motorcycling is a sport. Unusual altitude, great heat, high humidity, for example, combined and garnished with driving demands, can turn the vacation trip into a mega-stress for the untrained organism. There is no need to leave Europe for such experiences. Crossing the Alps in midsummer or a twelve-hour drive in the rain to the ferry is enough. Physical fitness works wonders. If you start jogging, walking, cycling or swimming at least a few weeks before your trip – or ideally even do it all year round – you will get your immune and cardiovascular system in top shape. Control means: Before starting the journey, being able to climb four floors at a brave pace and without breathlessness or palpitations means top values, the doc knows.

Vaccinations and prophylaxis
The further and longer the planned trip, the more important it is to take care of things at home. It all starts with an early look at the vaccination card. The standards such as polio, diphtheria, and tetanus should not be more than five years ago. Nowadays, prevention against hepatitis A and B is just as urgently advisable as rabies and TBE vaccinations against tick-borne meningitis if you spend a lot of time camping or hiking in nature.

For long-distance travelers the question arises of further protective measures, some of which – such as the yellow fever vaccination – are mandatory for some countries. The Internet provides up-to-date information conveniently and reliably. However, the relevant information is often only accessible or understandable to experts. Where even medical laypeople can find what they are looking for, see the surf tips on page 126.

Whether malaria prophylaxis makes sense on the planned travel route and what this should look like in detail can be clarified as part of a travel medical consultation. This can also reduce any fears that have become too large after an extensive study of the dangers threatening in the travel destination. Corresponding physicians can be found via the medical associations or on the websites mentioned. There you can also find out where there are hygienic problems, such as drinking water, eating or bathing, and how you can protect yourself. Information that is also listed in good advisory literature (see page 128). In all cases, however, note how old the Infor-
mations are respectively. Good sites on the Internet indicate the date of the last update; in books, pay attention to the date of publication or the last revised edition.

Last but not least, a visit to the dentist is part of preventive care so that at least the foreseeable nasties from the depths of the jaw can be avoided. Like wisdom teeth, for example, which finally want to see the light of day just before Timbuktu.

Sensible travel insurance
The question arises again and again as to which insurance it makes sense to take out before a tour. MOTORRAD will dedicate itself to this topic this summer, here are just the two most important qualifications, without which you run a high risk: health insurance abroad can save you from financial ruin and the return service with the ambulance jet can simply save your life.


Health on the go


mps photo studio

Don’t be afraid of injections – vaccinations are an important part of traveling abroad.

The right equipment
The more extreme the weather conditions, the more the right driver’s clothing influences active safety. On long tours through different climatic zones or seasons, the clothes should ensure well-being over as wide a temperature range as possible without completely losing their passive safety (protective function) in the »Scorching heat« setting. Jackets and trousers with a removable or flexible climate membrane and zip-up ventilation openings are the closest to this requirement. In addition, by adjusting the width, it should be possible to fit properly even if only underpants and a T-shirt are worn underneath. This ensures that the protector-equipped cover is still in the right places, even in extreme heat, and protects in the event of an accident. In the opposite case, there must be enough »air« so that enough warm food fits underneath. Several thin layers are better, because they are more variable, than one very thick one. So that you don’t lose out if the climate doesn’t stick to the description in the travel guide.

Eating + drinking health trap
Whether you are spared from illness is not only up to you, but also in your own hands. Dangers to life and limb lurk in unfamiliar foods. In Central Europe you can orientate yourself relatively well to the behavior of the locals. What they eat and drink can usually also be tolerated. A fresh salad in tropical climes, on the other hand, usually leads to a collapse of digestion. That’s why the principle still applies: cook it, peel it or forget it! To wash
not enough.

In hot countries, dishes with eggs should always be cooked through to put an end to salmonella. Because who knows in which warm corner the eggs were stored. Only boil water or drink it after treatment with the Micropur water disinfectant – unless you can be absolutely sure that it is flawless. Anyone who consumes beverages of any kind exclusively from the originally sealed bottles significantly reduces the risk to the digestive tract. Indian hosts will hardly suspect that freshly arrived Europeans will thank the carefully mixed cola with the holiest Ganges water, filled in the original bottle, with lasting diarrhea. Secretly adding a few drops of Micropur to the drink does not necessarily change the taste for the better, but it can prevent bad things.

Road traffic risks
Difficulties in foreign road traffic are caused by the often strange or unrecognizable rules. That is why you are well advised to take more care of yourself through a defensive driving style than at home, because the others will not do it. A bus driver in the dense traffic in Africa, India or Russia doesn’t really care whether one would have been right according to German traffic regulations. Most likely, he will attribute injuries to our bad karma rather than responsibility. Anyone who is underneath has had bad luck, both literally and figuratively.

Gastrointestinal diseases
The most widespread problem on the road is gastrointestinal diseases with diarrhea and vomiting. The most common mistake here is too little fluid intake while continuing to exercise. Gentle care promotes recovery significantly. So better a day off than suffer a week. And drink plenty. Strongly sweetened black or peppermint tea, which is available almost everywhere, has proven itself. Cola is also very effective, especially in combination with salty pastries. Do not drink large amounts at once and not cold, but drink regularly in small sips. The supply of minerals is also important, either through mineral water, broth or the means from the first-aid kit. Coconut milk can also be of great service for long-distance trips. Medicines should only be used if there is really no other option. If the pain and blood in the stool persist, a visit to the doctor becomes inevitable.

Fever, infections, sunstroke
Resting and drinking a lot also help with febrile infections, the second most common reason for failure. In this case, however, it makes sense to take something for a fever and, if necessary, a cough to help you recover more quickly. If the fever (over 38.5 degrees) lasts longer than three days or if it recurs periodically, you should start with an antibiotic, in malaria areas also with an anti-malarial agent. The latter should definitely be in the first-aid kit if you have not already taken appropriate prophylaxis in the preparation phase.

Sunburn and sun bite (overheating) also often catch travelers in tropical climes. Mostly it was neglected to give the body the possibility to adapt to the changed climatic conditions. Central Europeans have to learn to sweat again first. First of all, with sweat, the body loses a lot of salts that have to be replaced. Which is why in this case too: drink a lot and eat fruit or vegetables (cooked or peeled!).

Anything that cools but is not too greasy helps with sunburn. For severe burns, apply Fenistil gel, which otherwise soothes insect bites. Alternatively, Ballistol gun oil can (yes, really) be used.


Health on the go


mps photo studio

A first-aid kit should be with you on every tour.

Worst case: an accident
A crash abroad is even more unpleasant than at home, and apart from any care, even minor things can cause long-term problems. The severity of an injury is often underestimated due to the initially lack of pain perception (shock). If the situation is unclear, it is better to start organizing rescue or recovery measures earlier. First aid measures should be trained before a trip so as not to waste time discussing in an emergency that is missing afterwards for the transport.

Rule of thumb: If you cannot foresee all the consequences of the injury after a quarter of an hour, you should use all available means to get medical care. Even if a fall goes off lightly, there are often abrasions and skin wounds. The following applies here: first clean. It is best to rinse with plenty of water. Plus, you can’t go wrong with soap on a superficial wound. In the tropics you should – if possible – let the whole thing dry and just cover it. If this is not possible, then powder with nebacetin powder and bandage. However, the bandage must be changed regularly every few hours. Here, too, Ballistol gun oil (that’s actually true, it’s hard to believe!) Has proven itself as a disinfectant substitute in an emergency. It does a good job at the latest when the painfully sticky bandage is removed. If a deeper wound has to be sutured, the search for a doctor is not spared. However, it has to be done quickly, because after four to six hours a wound can no longer be sutured – and depending on the size of the wound and the extent of the complications, the journey is over, in the worst case in the ambulance jet.

Dental problems and pain
A regularly recurring topic is toothache. The obligatory routine check before long trips has already been mentioned. If you do happen to be on the way, cloves slowly chewed on the diseased tooth can help relieve pain. Important: An inflamed tooth falls victim to local tooth tears in many poorer countries, because tooth-preserving treatments are unknown there. Since the later costs for a bridge or an implant at home can easily exceed the price of a trip around the world, a flight home is usually cheaper. That means: If in doubt, take antibiotics and book the next flight … This procedure is also recommended for severe, never-ending pain in the abdomen or kidney area, as well as for acute and unfamiliar circulatory problems, if the symptoms cannot be clarified with a doctor over the phone.

Where’s a doctor?
You have to find a doctor first. In Europe there is an emergency number system, usually 112 (Switzerland 114), as well as in parts of the USA and Canada (911) and New Zealand (111). It is essential to find out the respective numbers beforehand from the ADAC or on independent websites. In southern Africa and Australia, the “Flying Doctors” can go practically anywhere an aircraft can land. If you move outside the very small cell phone networks in which European tri-band cell phones are available (check with the respective provider before traveling), it is worth considering taking a satellite phone with you that works practically everywhere. But even with that, the simple question arises: who should you call? A call to the emergency call center of the ADAC or the German Air Rescue will get you a lot further here (see surfing tips on page 126). The experts there know the nearest hospital, even in the remotest corner of the world, and sometimes even one with European medical standards. If necessary, you would be picked up from there by plane, provided you have an appropriate letter of protection. You only have to organize the transport from the bush yourself. If that doesn’t help either, the last emergency nail in each country is the central German embassy in the capital. Make a note of their current telephone numbers, which the Federal Foreign Office publishes in extensive lists on its website, before you start your journey.

Now we’ll keep our fingers crossed that you will never need any of these tips and telephone numbers, that your carefully packed on-board pharmacy will remain untouched and that you will return safe and sound from your vacation. But you have now been briefed in an emergency. Good Trip!

On-board pharmacy

Even if a motorcycle offers little space, nobody should travel without a well-equipped on-board pharmacy. A physician with motorcycle and travel experience has compiled the list below and specifically considered the needs of medical laypeople. At the same time, the selection already forms the basic package for ambitious long-distance travelers. Small weight and volume, effectiveness of the applications as well as durability under extreme conditions were in the foreground in the selection. Most drugs are available without a prescription in any pharmacy, prescription only ones are marked with an asterisk. Discuss this with your family doctor with regard to individual tolerance.

For a minimal packing size, remove all packaging and put liquids and ointments separately in small plastic bags to protect against leakage. A table of contents that notes the purpose and dosage at the same time may be a bit of work, but it saves a lot of space. The whole range fits easily into a small wash bag (which, by the way, should also contain the vaccination card).

Content and costs

Accident / injury: Hansaplast, 6-8 cm wide, 50 cm long; Tape, 2.5 cm wide, 100 cm long *; Gauze bandage, 8 cm wide, 400 cm long; elastic bandage, 8 cm wide, 700 cm long; Nebacetin powder, 6 g, or Balistol oil for disinfection
Pain: aspirin direct, 20 tablets, max. 8 / day € 2.62
Severe pain: Metamizol 500 *, 10 tablets, max. 5 / day € 11.45
Eyes: Yxin eye drops, 10 ml, unlimited € 4.34
Nose: Otriven 0.1% nasal drops, 10 ml, unlimited € 2.93
Ear: Otalgan ear drops, 10 ml, unlimited € 4.72; Oropac (to be able to sleep well when sick)
Infections: Avalox * 5 tablets, max. 3 / day € 37.98; Cefaclor * 500, 10 capsules, max. 4 / day € 30.45
Cough: Codicaps *, 20 capsules, max. 6 / day € 13.73
Diarrhea: Immodium akut plus, 12 tablets, max. 3 / day € 8.85; Elotrans electrolyte mix, 10 bags, unlimited € 4.72
Vomiting: Gastrosil * drops, 15 ml, max. 80 drops / day € 10.45
Constipation: Dulcolax acute, 10 coated tablets, max. 2 / day € 2.46
Sunburn, insect bites: Fenistil gel, 50 grams, unlimited € 8.82
Insect repellants: mosquito net, Djungel-Oil, NoBite with Deet
Motion sickness: Vomex A, 5 tablets, max. 3 / day € 13.95
Hemorrhoids: Anesthesin cream 20 g, unlimited € 4.95
Sprain / contusion: Lindofluid, 140 ml, Allgau mountain pine, 50 ml € 6.75
Sex: condoms
Miscellaneous: Pocket knife or multitool with scissors, magnifying glass and tweezers, disposable syringe (sterile), 2 and 5 ml each with two sterile needles, rescue blanket

* Subject to mandatory certification; all prices are average prices determined by internet pharmacies

Literature and surf tips

How to stay healthy on vacation
The booklet offers a tabular list of the vaccinations required in individual travel countries and the diseases that occur there. Their prevention and treatment are also described. Subjects such as the risk of thrombosis on long-haul flights, the effect and necessity of the various vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis are presented in a comprehensible and easy-to-read manner.
Patient travel guide, Socio-Medico publishing house and agency,
ISBN 3-927290-80-7. Contact via the Internet www.socio-medico.de

The natural first-aid kit
For the anthroposophists among travelers. Conventional medicine and naturopathy are presented as complementary to each other, and it is often advisable to see a doctor. Very good recipes for all possible ailments. For the abundance of naturopathic medicines, however, you need good previous knowledge. The treatment of serious diseases is not described. Many tips for disease prevention are very practical and useful.
Markus Sommer, aethera Verlag, price 11.90 euros

First aid on the way
A book for all eventualities and possibilities, even on extreme trips. Rather, it is aimed at the medically responsible in a travel group. Confusing for medical laypeople, as the wealth of information tends to lead to uncertainty. Reading alone is not enough; without practical practice, little will be remembered that can then be called up in an emergency. However, if you pack the enclosed booklet for on the go after reading the book, you will have a detailed guide for most medical emergencies with you. Country-specific emergency numbers and how to use them complete this professional package.
Armin Wirth, Verlag Reise Know-How, price 19.90 euros

Self-diagnosis and treatment on the go
From the specialist for extreme tourists with medical expertise. Good companion for on the go far from any civilization. Expressly intended as a book for the medical layperson, the handy little volume convinces with good systematics and readability. Brand new from 2007 and our tip to take with you on a long journey.
Dr. Bruce-M. Durfeld, Verlag Reise Know-How, price 8.90 euros

Where there is no doctor
Detailed description of diseases and their causes. It’s good if you’ve been traveling for a long time or have to live in an area without medical care. Too confusing for quick orientation. Hardly suitable as a companion on the go. Extreme travelers and other interested parties benefit in the preparation phase from the many tips for preventing diseases – especially those that have never been heard about in our part of the world.
David Werner, Verlag Reise Know-How, price 17.50 euros

Motorcycle trips between vacation and expedition
Very good for planning extreme motorcycle trips. This is the professional speaking. But since the medical guide makes up the smallest part of the book and prevention is also neglected, it is more suitable as an introduction to this topic.
Thomas Trossmann, Verlag Reise Know-How, price 22.50 euros

Have a good trip and what makes you feel good
Addresses the esoteric side of health, but offers little practicality for motorcycle travelers. The guide explains “Exercises for body, mind and soul”. It’s all about wellbeing and prevention. Illnesses and their treatment on the way do not occur.
Adelheid Ohlig, Nymphenburger Verlag, price 9.95 euros

www.crm.de
Very good, up-to-date country information, detailed, the best address for long-haul trips.
www.fit-for-travel.de
Always up-to-date website of the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich with detailed country information.
www.die-reisemedizin.de
Somewhat confusing site, but with the possibility of inexpensive inquiries for specific problems.
www.malaria.de
Good for initial information, but does not take into account seasonal or regional specifics.
www.osir.ch
The site (not only) for readers in Switzerland. Understandable for laypeople, clearly laid out, well structured, information sheets to be printed out, useful links.
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Among “Foreign missions” All the websites of the German embassies around the world are sorted alphabetically. On the respective pages under “The Embassy” you can also find the emergency numbers that can be reached around the clock.
www.drf.de
The website of the German Air Rescue.
Emergency number of the alarm center: ++ 49/711/701070.

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