Travelling internationally is an exciting and adventurous experience but it can also bring some unexpected health risks. This can be due to a change in the diet, environment or limited access to healthcare when abroad. Travelling abroad is increasingly popular with over 9 million visits being made by UK citizens each year alone. The most common health conditions associated with travelling are travel sickness, jet lag and digestive problems. It is recommended that you check the NHS fit for travel website before you travel to get the latest advice on your intended destination.

Travel sickness or motion sickness is a common problem associated with travel. It can affect anyone but it is frequently seen in older people, pregnant women and children. It can be attributed to unpredictable movements when travelling in a car, aeroplane or boat. It is caused by an imbalance between the messages being sent to the brain from our eyes and inner ear, which are responsible for detecting movement. In motion sickness, the eyes send signals to the brain that you are stationary, but the inner ear detects motion leading to the brain receiving conflicting messages. This confusion can cause you to feel unwell. The symptoms of motion sickness start suddenly with a queasy feeling along with cold sweats and can lead to dizziness, feeling sick (nausea)  and vomiting.

Another common problem experienced by those who travel is jet lag. Jet lag is when your normal sleeping pattern is disturbed after a long flight, particularly when crossing multiple time zones. Jet lag occurs when your internal body clock, also known as circadian rhythm, which regulates your sleep-wake cycle, goes out of sync with the time in your new location. When this is disrupted, it can cause symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability and digestive disturbance. Jet lag usually resolves itself after a couple of days, but the severity of symptoms can vary between individuals. These symptoms can have a physical and emotional impact and may prevent you from getting the most out of your traveling experience.