Washington Health System

Savvy IF YOU'RE PL ANNING A TRIP THIS SUMMER, YOU'LL NEED TO PACK MORE THAN JUST CLOTHES, TOILETRIES AND READING MATERIAL. HERE ARE SOME KEY ITEMS YOU MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED. Your family trips should be safe, fun and crisis-free. However, any number of things can occur, which is why having a travel first-aid kit is essential. Amy Diamond, MD, President of the Washington Health System-Greene Medical Staff, Medical Director, WHS-Greene Wound Care Center, and Family Physician at WHS-Family Medicine Greene Plaza, recommends packing the following items in your travel first-aid kit: » several Band-Aids » tweezers » antibiotic ointment » antacid » broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 » alcohol wipes » epinephrine auto-injectors if you have a severe allergy » diarrhea medication, particularly if you're traveling out of the country » over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and an antihistamine "Be sure to pack extra doses of medications you take regularly in case travel plans change," Dr. Diamond says. IMMUNIZATIONS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Before embarking on any trip—especially an international one—check with your primary care provider about which immunizations you need. If you're traveling to an area where Zika has spread, be sure to pack insect repellent containing DEET to protect yourself from mosquitoes. "Traveling is meant to be enjoyable," Dr. Diamond says. "e better you plan ahead, the safer and more fun your trip will be." » ARE YOU IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER TO BE YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN HEALTH? VISIT WHS.ORG TO FIND ONE NEAR YOU. Savvy E-CIGARET TES, OR VAPORIZERS, ARE OFTEN MISTAKENLY SEEN AS A SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO SMOKING. ABOUT Vaping While tobacco products are banned for anyone younger than 18, many children are now getting hooked on electronic cigarettes, which can look like pens or pipes, or even cigarettes. ese devices vaporize nicotine and other flavored and scented chemicals. Laws are still being put in place to guard children from access to this unhealthy habit. e U.S. Food and Drug Administration is researching the health implications of vaping, but here's what health experts know to be true: » E-cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive substance, and chemicals that cause cancer. » Vaporizers can act as a likely gateway to smoking tobacco cigarettes and possible future drug use in young people. » Flavors used in vaping may also pose harm to the body. » ese products are not known to assist with quitting smoking. Researchers have uncovered many more hidden chemicals as well, which means there is more to this habit than people who vape might know about. » IF YOU NEED HELP QUITTING YOUR TOBACCO HABIT, SPEAK WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR OR ATTEND ONE OF OUR FREE SIX-WEEK TOBACCO CESSATION CLASSES. CALL (724) 250-5249 FOR MORE INFORMATION. UGLY TRUTH Vaping Travel Travel THE S U M M E R 2017 | connections whs.org 3

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