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ROAD-READY COLUMNS

Travel-Health Strategies, Tips, and Resources for a Healthier Life on the Road

Go to Column Summaries

• General Travel Health

• Air Travel

• Fitness & Healthy Eating

• Sleep

• Seasonal & Weather-Related

• Heart Health

• Healthy Holidays & Travel Guide

Road-Ready Columns by Category

GENERAL TRAVEL HEALTH

► New Travel Rules Raise Health Risks for Some Travelers

The changes to your pre-boarding and in-flight routines as dictated by the new security regulations that restrict what you can carry onboard are more than simply inconvenient. Whether you're healthy or have a chronic or temporary health condition that is affected by travel, you need to fully understand just how these changes will affect your physical health and well-being on the road — in the short- and long-term — and find workable solutions.

► First Things First: Make Preparation—and Good Judgment—Your First Priority in Safeguarding Your Health

► How to Create a Personal Medical "Portfolio"

► Airport Mishaps: Do You Know Where to Go for Medical Help?

► Take-Along Healthcare: Packing Your Personal Medical Kit

► Travel Ergonomics Primer: How to Avoid a Litany of Pain

► Travel Health by the Book: Six Packable Primers

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AIR TRAVEL

► Should You Be Flying Now?

► Don't Be Left Dry-Eyed

FITNESS & HEALTHY EATING:

Fitness

► No-Excuse Shape-Up Strategies

► The Challenge to Change: Road-Warrior Travel-Health & Fitness Makeovers

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Healthy Eating:

► The Road Rules for Healthy Eating on the Go

► Eating on the Go: It's in Your Hands!

► Establishing Healthy Habits on the Road

►Summer's Over: Re-Pack Your Bags—and Your Lunch!

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SLEEP

► Slumber Strategies for the Sleep-Deprived

SEASONAL & WEATHER-RELATED

Summer

► 2003: Health & Safety, Part 1

► Stand Up to Summer

► How to Avoid Becoming a Heat Casualty

Fall/Winter

► Germ Warfare 101—Part 1: Keep the Cold & Flu at Bay

► Germ Warfare 101—Part 2: How to Keep Going When You’re Felled by the Flu or KOd by a Cold

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HEALTHY

HOLIDAY TRAVEL & GIFT GUIDES

The Road-Ready Guide to a
Safe, Sane, Relaxing, and Stress-Free Holiday

Just about everything you'll need to survive—-and thrive—-during the holidays:

Healthy Gifts for Road Warriors

Goodies that can improve the quality of your life on the road in oh so many ways from practical, preventive, and protective to the totally indulgent and self-pampering. And lots more "stuff" to coddle, comfort, and soothe you; items to relieve stress, relax, and rejuvenate you. The healthiest "investments" you can make with payoffs that never end.

'BIG' STUFF   • FUN & GAMES • PAMPER YOURSELF!

DRIVING COMFORT & SAFETY • STOCKING STUFFERS   • BOOKS • FIT & FUN

Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday and year-round gift ideas by category:

• Comfort on the Go • Ergo-Friendly Products • Self-Pampering • Feel Better: Relief & Remedies

• Sound Sleep • Healthy Edibles • Stocking Stuffers • Gift Certificates/Cards • Stress Relief & Relaxation

• Healthy Investments • Preventive Measures • Fitness/Exercise • Playtime/Self-Discovery

Surviving Holiday Travel

Part 1: On-the-Road Strategies

Much of the stress and strain of holiday travel—whether you’re headed out for business, pleasure, or a bit of both—is self-imposed.

Here are some strategies and suggestions to help you thrive—as well as survive—no matter where the road takes you this month.

Surviving the Holidays

Part 2: Self-Care Strategies

• Personal Safety & Security

• Physical Health

• Emotional Well-Being

Your Physical and Emotional Rx for the Holidays,

On and Off the Road

December brings a whirl of activity on and off the road as we celebrate the end-of-year holidays. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when we’re more vulnerable and at greater risk—for injury, physical illness, and emotional turmoil.

In a season known more for self-indulgence than self-restraint, it’s time for a good dose of self-care. Here’s my take on what you can do to fully enjoy yourself—at home and on the go—during the holidays.

• Give a Little Bit...

Charity begins at home. So don't overlook local charitable organizations that need a donation of your time, dollars, apparel, household items, or food to help others enjoy the season. And if you really want to make a difference for many, consider a donation to a health/medical organization or association that funds research and provides consumer education and resources.

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ROAD-READY COLUMN SUMMARIES

HEART-HEALTH ON THE ROAD:

Blood clots and DVT are not your only real medical concerns as you take to the air and hit the road. Even the young, the fit, and the seemingly healthy flyers among you are at risk of sudden—and serious—cardiac emergencies such as a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) when you fly and drive. Here's what you need to know to avoid becoming a deadly statistic.

GENERAL TRAVEL HEALTH

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

Make Preparation—and Good Judgment—Your First Priority

in Safeguarding Your Health

Our work is important, no matter where we do it. But taking care of our bodies and our health is the first priority if we want to be able to continue to work—and live well—on and off the road.

The deaths of two travelers are cautionary reminders of the need to be prepared, stay connected, and take responsibility for your health. Here are your top priorities for protecting yourself on the go.

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THE ONE THING YOU MUST DO TO PREPARE

FOR A MEDICAL EMERGENCY:

How To Create a Personal Medical "Portfolio"

If you pride yourself on being a take-charge traveler, you may think that toting a credit card, having health insurance, and knowing how to secure medical assistance on the fly means you’re covered in the event of a medical mishap on the road. Think again.

As anyone who has ever experienced a medical emergency on the road can tell you, your life can get out of control very quickly—with potentially life-threatening results. Although you can’t control the outcome of a medical event, you can provide needed information to assist those who come to your aid, in essence helping them to help you. Find out what you need to do to get better medical care—and ensure your peace of mind.

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AIRPORT MISHAPS : Do You Know Where to Go for Medical Help?

Your luggage "attacked" you. The rental-car door and your hand had a close encounter of the painful kind. Somehow or other, you find yourself wounded, bleeding, or in pain and desperately seeking medical care at the airport. Where do you go to get help—fast?

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TAKE-ALONG HEALTHCARE: Packing Your Personal Medical Kit

If you're a typical road warrior, you've probably racked up injuries along with miles: Cuts, bruises, strains, and sprains from close encounters with "aggressive" luggage and various airplanes, rental cars, and hotels. And that may be only the minor stuff.

Here's a comprehensive review of what you need to pack to minimize mishaps and injuries and reduce the risk of complications.

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TRAVEL ERGONOMICS: HOW TO AVOID A LITANY OF PAIN
Want to avoid unnecessary pain, strains, and sprains? Interested in making your body less vulnerable to the ill-effects of life on the road?

This Travel Ergonomics Primer offers tips and strategies for even the most ergonomically challenged traveler. A chiropractor and other experts reveal the secrets of pain-free travel—prevention and attention—for every aspect of road life from flying and driving to working and

sleeping in your hotel room.

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TRAVEL HEALTH BY THE BOOK : SIX TAKE-ALONG PRIMERS

When it comes to handling the day-in, day-out health challenges of life on the road, there’s nothing like a well-researched, in-depth travel-health guidebook as your first line of defense.

Here are six packable primers that could save lives—including yours—and upgrade your general health and comfort whether you travel across the continent or around the globe.

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AIR TRAVEL

SHOULD YOU BE FLYING NOW?

Chances are that if you’re sick, you may choose to fly anyway. But taking off with even a seemingly minor health problem can turn a normal flight into an endurance test. So before you book—or board—a flight, take stock of your current health as well as your itinerary. Learn what conditions and situations should leave you grounded rather than airborne and at risk for some unpleasant —and even potentially life-threatening—problems.

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DON’T BE LEFT (HIGH-FLYING) AND DRY-EYED

A common condition may signal more serious eye problems.

Hardy travelers typically dismiss tired, dry, itchy, or red eyes as byproducts of their demanding lifestyles (think “red-eye” flights). Though these symptoms might signal allergies, fatigue, overuse, or reaction to a medication, they could also signify more serious eye problems.

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FITNESS & HEALTHY EATING

FITNESS & GENERAL WELL-BEING

NO-EXCUSE SHAPE-UP STRATEGIES

Need help getting started or staying motivated to exercise on the go? Here’s expert advice and answers to your most-common fitness challenges. Fitness experts Deby Harper of Fitnessco.com and Carol Dickman of Yoga Enterprises give solutions and strategies for the top fitness-to-go questions.

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THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE:

Road-Warrior Travel-Health & Fitness Makeovers

Even the most demanding frequent flyer wouldn't expect an airplane to take off and fly right if it hadn't been fueled and properly serviced. Yet many of these same folks expect, nay, demand, top performance from another piece of well-designed equipment—their bodies—without giving them the proper "fuel" and care they require.

We pair two motivated makeover candidates with two top fitness experts and explore the healthy travel strategies that they—and you!—can follow to increase energy, improve stamina, and enhance your overall performance on and off the road.

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HEALTHY EATING

THE ROAD RULES FOR HEALTHY EATING ON THE GO

The good news: It's getting easier to "eat healthy" on the road. The "bad" news: You're the only one who can ensure that you eat right on the road.

With a bit of planning and knowledge, you can eat well anywhere you roam. Check out the The Wellness Concierge's Ten Rules for Healthy Eating on the Fly.

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EATING ON THE GO: IT'S IN YOUR HANDS
Nutrition advocate Robyn Landis shares the secret to staying healthy and feeling good on the road. Can you guess what it is? Get the 411 on healthy eating habits and a slew of resources.

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ESTABLISHING HEALTHY HABITS ON THE ROAD
Do you think your demanding schedule makes it impossible for you to stay healthy and fit? Do you think stress, fatigue, poor health, and reduced fitness levels are the inevitable

byproducts of frequent travel?

If so, it's time to get real. How you feel on the road is more directly related to your daily lifestyle choices than to the challenges imposed by constant travel. Feel bad? The culprit is likely to be your unhealthy off-the-road habits that accompany you on the road.

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SUMMER'S OVER: RE-PACK YOUR BAGS—AND YOUR LUNCH!

Want to feel better? Consciously choose to eat well and exercise regularly and you'll have the ammunition you need to weather any itinerary. Whether you're new to the road or a veteran frequent traveler, the fall, when business travel revs up, is a perfect time to recommit to a healthier on-the-road lifestyle.

Includes: the basics of healthy eating on the fly; additional articles and resources

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SLEEP

SLUMBER STRATEGIES FOR THE SLEEP-DEPRIVED
For many road warriors, getting a good night's sleep may seem as unattainable as securing an award travel ticket to a desired location from a frequent-flyer program. Fortunately, business travelers can exert more control over the sleeping process than they can over airline award capacity.

Check out sleep expert James B. Maas’ savvy advice on restful slumber and how to increase your odds of getting much-needed shuteye.

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SEASONAL & WEATHER-RELATED

SUMMER

STAND UP TO SUMMER: Real-life travel at the height of heat and humidity may never match our fantasies of a more-languid lifestyle. But your resident "Heat Counselor" offers safe workouts, sun-protection strategies, and more to help you breeze through summer even if you're not lolling by the pool. Just-about-everything you need to know to enjoy the season—and protect yourself from air, sun, and heat exposure.

HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A HEAT CASUALTY

Hot weather, combined with the rigors of travel, increases the stress level and physical discomfort of virtually every road warrior. But a little forethought can prevent you from getting toasted in Taos or wilting in Washington, D.C.

Most important, you'll get expert advice on how to avoid "suffering by degrees" and learn how to recognize and promptly treat a variety of heat-related health problems.

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WINTER

Jump-start a year of maximum health and wellness with these articles and resources:

Inspiration, Resources, and Strategies to Help You

Stay Warm & Well Wherever You Roam This Year

Whether you've got a bit of at-home time in January or you're still on the road, it's time to recommit to staying as healthy and fit as you can to more fully enjoy the New Year.

Coping With Cold-Weather Ailments ▪ Healthy Habits To Go

Shape-Up Strategies
A Travel-Ergonomics Primer: How to Avoid a Litany of Pain
Inspired to Change: How-Tos for a Healthier Life on the Road

Recommended Reading:
City Dharma ▪ The Athletic-Minded Traveler ▪ In Praise of Slowness
The Zen Antidote to Road Rage

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The weather may be freezing or mild but it's that time of the year when we're all coping with the usual causes of seasonal misery—coughs, colds, sniffles, sneezes, wheezes, respiratory and sinus infections, and the flu.

GERM WARFARE 101—PART 1:
Strategies for Keeping Colds and the Flu at Bay
As airplanes and airports fill up with travelers from all parts of the globe, many are leaving behind some unwelcome "souvenirs" for fellow passengers: a smorgasbord of viruses eager to hitch a ride with an unsuspecting flyer. If a cold or the flu could put a dent in your business plans, it's time to arm yourself against such unwanted stowaways. Here's an overview of self-defense maneuvers to guide you through the cold/flu season and keep you from becoming one of the sneezing, wheezing, hacking masses.

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GERM WARFARE 101—PART 2:

How to Keep Going When You're Felled by the Flu or KOd by a Cold

You’re a determined to outwit any virus that dares intrude on your travel work schedule.

And yet, despite your Howard Hughes–like actions, your throat is itchy, or you feel achy or weak or you’re sneezing.

In Germ Warfare 101—Part 1, I explained how you can keep yourself from catching a cold or the flu on the road. This week I’ll tell you what you can do to lessen the impact should you become a casualty of a dreaded bug or virus.

HEALTH WIRE COLUMNS

“Bits and Bobs” to Keep You Sane, Safe, and Healthy on the Go:

News (Airlines, Hotels, DVT, SARS, etc.), Headlines, Alerts, Products,

Food on the Fly, Disease Outbreaks, Smoking Bans, R&R on the Road, Healthy Resources and Reminders, Seasonal Checklists, and much more!

Go to Column Summaries

Custom Search Feature

Can't find what you're looking for? E-mail The Wellness Concierge®

April 28, 2005

October 1, 2004

April 2, 2004

February 5, 2004

November 20, 2003

November 13, 2003

September 24, 2003

July 2, 2003

May 15, 2003

March 13, 2003

January 23, 2003

November 14, 2002

October 4, 2002

July 24, 2002

June 13, 2002

Please Note: Access to some links in articles may require membership, registration, or payment. Publishers may move articles after posting. Most provide a Search vehicle to locate archived articles.

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HEALTH WIRE COLUMN SUMMARIES

April 28, 2005

TRAVEL-HEALTH NEWS
• That Breathless Feeling at 35,000 Feet
• Dueling Stats: Medical Emergencies Top Travelers' Concerns But Trip-Prep Falls Short
• Will Airlines Share Data to Prevent Disease Transmission?

TRAVEL-HEALTH TRIVIA: Which rock star grew up eating airline food?

HEALTHY RESOURCES
• TSA Advisory for Diabetics; A Supplemental Oxygen Primer

FOOD ON THE FLY
• Trans-Fat-Free Dining in Tiburon; New Food Options at BWI

SMOKING BAN UPDATES
• Non Fumare in Italia
• Will Hawaii Go Smoke-Free in Beaches and Parks?
• No Tobacco, or Butts, in Bhutan
• Two Non-Smoking Milestones Don't Signal an End to Flyers' Health Risks

FITNESS ON THE GO
• When 'Sharing' Your Room Doesn't 'Work Out'
• Homewood Suites' Fitness Center Upgrades
• Westin's 'Jogging Concierges'

ON THE NEWSSTAND
• Men's Health Delivers Sure-Fire Strategies to KO Exercise Excuses
• Organic Style Offers Tips on How to 'Sleep Like a Baby'
• Prevention Details the Best and Worst ‘Fast-Food’ States
• Health: How Coffee Benefits Your Bod

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October 1, 2004

TRAVEL-HEALTH NEWS
• Another Reminder to Stick to Bottled Water When Flying
• A Melbourne Court Opens the Door to DVT Lawsuits

• Smoking Ban Update
• ASHRAE Issues Results of Preliminary Cabin Air Quality Study

FITNESS ON THE GO

• Affinia Dumont's Private Fitness Suite

• McDonald's Pairs Salads and Health Club Memberships

FOOD ON THE FLY

• Fast-Food Chicken and Lattes in Beijing;

• New Healthy Food Outlets
• Eateries Put Diners at Risk of Food-Borne Illnesses

• Gourmet Chefs Take on Raw and Organic Dining

• Healthy Highways: The Travelers' Guide to Healthy Eating

(With Directions and Maps)

• Eating on the Run: Moe's Southwest Grill

• American-Style Chicken and Java in Beijing?

• Marriott Expands 'Fit for You' Offerings

• Ted Adds Snacks

SPA NEWS

• $50 Treatments During NYC's Spa Week

• The Spa at Millbrook Reopens

• Angsana Spa to Debut in December

• Miraval Kapalua Destination Resort Spa Set for Maui

April 2, 2004:

World Health Day is April 7, 2004

Drive Safely!

This Year's Theme: Family Road Safety—Protect the Ones You Love

More Than a Million Lives Worldwide Are Lost in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Travel-Health News:
• DVT: Tracking (and Understanding) Lawsuits; New Health Risks
• Avian Flu Update

• Sick Flyers Face Increasing Scrutiny From Airlines
• Smoking Bans: The Global Trend Continues

• An Evian Spa Debuts in Shanghai
• The Hotel Ewww Factor

• What to Do If You're Sick at the Airport

Fitness on the Go:
• ZoneWorkout:

New In-Room TV Programming Offers Inspiration for the Fitness-Challenged
• JetBlue Debuts In-Flight Pilates

• Hotels Get Fit

Food on the Fly:
• Hotels, Airlines Add Low-Carb Menus

• A Low-Carb to Go Primer

• "Healthy" Vending Machines
• Delta Lets You Nosh for Miles

• NH Hoteles Pairs Fast Food & Haute Cuisine
• Airline Food: Whose Offering What to Curb Your Hunger

On the Newsstand:
• Men's Health tackles the healthy sandwich poseurs and the real-deals;
• Prevention offers a guide to healthy fast-food options;
• Shape nails the nutritional details on low-carb menu choices;
• Allure profiles top hotel spas

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February 5, 2004:

Travel-Health News:
Global Updates on: SARS; Avian (Bird) Flu; Smoking Bans, Exceptions

• Concerns Over Chicken Safety Reshaping Hotel, Airline, Restaurant Menus

• Hit the Gym to KO Jet Lag

• Cell-Phone Dangers & Dangerous Cell Phones

Airline-Related News:
• Study: 'Budget' Carriers' Pilots Could Pose Safety Risk
• Two Miami to Heathrow Flights Prove Deadly
• New Virgin Program Helps Flyers De-Stress
• Who Really Won the Ryanair Wheelchair-Fee Lawsuit?

Smoking Bans, Exceptions: Domestic and International
How to Find Smoke-Free Dining;
Butts Out on the Big Island;

Ireland Delays Controversial Ban;
Carnival Reverses the Paradise's 'No-Smoking' Ban; Georgia Wants to Nix 'Smoking in Cars With Kids'; Ontario Pushes for a Smoke-Free Province; Londoners Prefer Smoke-Free Spaces; Scotland Pitches Smoke-Free Zones

Food on the Fly:

• Boston Market Adds Healthy Eating Guide

• Wal-Mart Goes Low-Carb
• Tracking Low-Carb Menus

• Chocoholic Alert!

Healthy Habits, Reminders, and Resources:
• How to Prevent Bum 'Burns'
• Rev Up Oral Hygiene to Prevent Infections

• Take the Mystery (and Fear) Out of Lab Tests

Travel-Health Headlines

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November 20, 2003:

Hepatitis A Outbreak: What You Need to Know Now!
• Consumer Dining & Purchasing Advice
• If You Think You're At Risk Now: Symptoms, Incubation Period, Special Inoculation
• Preventive Action
• Information, Resources
• News Links
• The Backstory on the PA Outbreak:
Toll From PA Outbreak Rises to Over 500 Cases; FDA Identifies Possible Source of Contamination

Travel-Health Headlines

How to Add Years to Your Family's Life:

Create a Family Gift That Lasts Forever!
• How a family gathering can add years to your life and improve your health

• Begin Collecting Your Family's Medical History

• Discuss Your Personal Wishes for Medical Emergencies and End-of-Life Care

• Resources for "Heredity Health Documentation

R&R On the Road

• Bhutan to Get Luxury Hotel, Spa in 2004
• Wellness Cruise Set for February
• Sheraton Park Tower Debuts In-Room Spa, Fitness Services

Food on the Fly:

• Bad News for Caffeine Counters
• Pizza Hut Serves Up New 'Low(er)-Fat' Pie
• Weight Watchers Teams Up With Applebee's
• Campbell's New Organic Juice

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November 13, 2003:

Travel-Health News:
DVT in the News:

DVT Studies: Low-Risk Doesn't Mean No-Risk
• Can Drinking Guinness Help Prevent DVT?

• Weighing the Merits of New Flite Tabs Remedy
• Get Fit, Get Miles
• Dengue Fever Outbreak in Queensland

• Toll from Western PA Hepatitis A Outbreak Rises

SARS 'Remedies':

• Ginger Root Extract May Prevent Spread of SARS

• Chinese Herbal Soup May Up SARS Recovery, Lower SARS Death Rate

Airline News:

• Airline Cabin Crews' Demanding Schedules and Mental Fatigue, Forgetfulness Linked
• Airline Crews Have Higher Cancer Risk

• Supreme Court Case Focuses on What Constitutes an Airplane Accident

Smoking Bans:
• Three Colorado Communities Add No-Smoke Laws

General Health News:
• Stress Kills—-Even If You Don't Know You're Stressed
• Latex-Allergy Risk in an Unexpected Venue

Hotel News:
• Hilton Survey: Biz Travelers Lose Sleep, Compromise Productivity;
• Westin Study: Hotel Fitness Centers Need to Shape Up!
• Westin Teams With Reebok on New Fitness Programs

Food on the Fly:
• New Low-Carb Items From Au Bon Pain, Smoothie King
• Kimchi Unwrapped

• How to Clear 'Carbo Confusion'

R&R On the Road:
• A new holistic, Japanese spa debuts in Salt Lake City
• Get 'Stoned' at Hyatt Regency's new Stillwater Spa in Lake Tahoe
• Cruise and sleep in SFO

• Spa-ing at the top of Manhattan
• An Atkins 'Retreat' at Auberge Mendocino

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September 24, 2003:

Travel-Health News:

• Cancer patients and DVT risks;

• Hand-washing holdouts and questionable hygiene;

• A supplement to soften the blow of Montezuma's Revenge;

• Senate proposal would allocate funds for cabin decontamination;

• Altitude sickness and weight are linked;

• Avis' new accessibility program for special-needs drivers;

• An anti-DVT airline seat leaves airlines unmoved;

• Legionnaires' Disease on the home front;

• SARS cases decline but it's not down for the count;

• Updates on West Nile Virus, Malaria

Hotel News:

• Sheraton adds beds;

• Kimpton promotes yoga

Food on the Fly:

• AA ads food kiosks;

• Fast-food menu updates;

• Chicago chain adds food-safety labeling;

• Rachael Ray's tasty sandwich to go; • Iced tea for tea connoisseurs

Product Picks:

Healthy Travel & Living Products Page

• Light your way to safety;

• Plug in to in-flight relaxation CDs;

• Socks on to prevent DVT; and more

Seasonal Checklist:

• Sign up for annual check-ups, tests;

• Schedule a flu shot;

• Check your blood pressure against the new standards;

• Boost your immune system;

• Repack your bags for cold/flu season

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July 2, 2003:

Summer Health & Safety, Part 1:

• Updated travel-health links;

• Mayo Clinic's Summer Safety Guide;

• CDC issues new Yellow Book;

• Repack Your Bags--A Summer Packing List and Summer-Survival Strategies;

• Reader Tip: How to Prevent, Survive Lost Prescriptions

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May 15, 2003:

In the News:
SARS Updates:

• Travel Advisories & Alerts;

• Russia Moves to Halt SARS' Spread;

• New CDC Guidelines;

• Who's Going, Who's Staying;

• International SOS Offers Special SARS Evac Services; and more

Other Travel-Health News:
• Foreign Carriers Add Air Bags;

• FAA Revises Passenger Weight Rules;
• ISTM Survey: Travelers Risk Health, Safety;

• FA Cops to Drugging Child

Healthy Living:

• Lean Cuisine's "Do Something Good for Yourself" contest; • SupermarketGuru.com seeks volunteers for a nutrition-based weight-loss program;

• May is National Stroke Month: Know—and Reduce—Your Risk;

• Denial and Lack of Knowledge Ups Boomers' Stroke Risk

Product Picks:

• Acupressure strips to relieve headaches;

• 'Ginger Snaps' that KO nausea;

• An all-in-one travel-fitness kit;

• Global personal care and health and wellness products from Bigelow Chemists

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March 13, 2003:

Healthy Flying:

• Inexpensive blood thinner cuts DVT, embolism recurrence;

• Qantas launches pilot fatigue study

Legal Updates:

• Second-Hand Smoke Suit Stayed;

• UK DVT Victims File Appeal;

• American Pays Up on DOT Passenger Wheelchair Violations

Healthy Eating on the Go:

• News From the Fast-Food Front;

• Healthy Food Options in Boca Raton;

• Breakfast Delivers Even More Benefits;

• Diet Sodas as Calorie Savers?

Food Safety:

• French steakhouse chain allegedly served banned British beef;

• March 12: Ground Beef Alert issued for select states

Spa Savings/Hotel Packages of Note:
• The Westin New York's Sunday Spa Special, Mid-Week Discounts;

• The Phoenix Will Help You 'Imagine Peace'

Travel-Health Alert:

• Scientists Expect West Nile to Return: Stronger, sooner, and in 48 States

Healthy Bookmark:
• MEDLINE Plus' Drug and Medical Safety News

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January 23, 2003:

Health Newsstand:

• Drive With Care After the Super Bowl;

• Italy's Anti-Smoking Law Set for 2004;

• Aspirin May Not Prevent DVT;

• U.K. Courts Reject DVT Suits While Aussies Green Light Flyer Claims;

• Smoking Bans OKd in New York City, Dallas, Boston;

• The Other 'Face' of Air Rage;

• New Zealand Pushes for Immediate Fines, Prosecution for Abusive Flyers;

• Death Toll Rises from Flu, RSV Respiratory Virus;

• Travelers With Disabilities Have $$$ to Spend With Helpful Vendors;

• Florida Airport Workers Test Positive for TB;

• Don't Get Needled and Drive;

• Blood-Donor Alert for Those With Smallpox Vaccinations

Healthy Flyer:

Real-Life Inspiration: Mario Garcia pairs champagne, chicken breasts, and discipline to stay fit on the go

Fitness: How many miles do you walk when you fly?

Healthy Eating:

• Flu- and Cold-Fighting Food Options;

• Eat (Meat) Less and Win Big;

• Downsize Portions to Avoid Super-Sizing Your Weight;

• When Fast-Food Chains Deliver More Than You Asked For

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November 14, 2002:
Travel Health & Safety News:
• U.K. DVT Lawsuit Is Resumed;

• The Brits Take Action to Discourage Ground and Air Rage;

• A New Way to "Sense" In-Flight Troublemakers;

• Don't Drink the (In-Flight) Water!;

• Horizon Upgrades In-Flight Medical Equipment;

• FAA Proposes "Stronger" Airplane Seats to Prevent Deaths, Injuries;

• Want a Clean Room? Head for the Loo;

• Smoke-Free Dining in Florida;

• A Refresher Course in On-the-Road Safety and Security

Health Alert
Should You Get a Flu Shot?
General Health News:
• Painkillers' Serious Side-Effects;

• Avoiding Acetaminophen Overdoses; • Gum Chewing Aids Memory;

• When Being Vain = Pain

Spa-Ing and Healthy Getaways:
• Gals (and Guys) Just Wanna Have Fun;

• Enjoy the Luxe Life for Less in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado

Healthy Eating & Nutrition:
• Fast Food Gets (a Bit) Healthier;

• Making Sense of Nutrition News;

• Staying on Top of Food-Safety Recalls

Sleep Savers:
• Trade Java for More Sleep;

• Avoid Booze If You Want to Snooze;

• Comfort- and sanity-saving resources for unplanned airport sleepovers or delays

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October 4, 2002:

In the News:

• Steer Clear of Old Cell Phones (or Not);

• Euro Coins Trigger Allergic Reactions;

• Wasabi Ups Sushi Safety;

• Job-Related Hazards Don't Threaten Cabin Crews' Mortality

Travel Health & Safety:

• Assess your DVT risk;

• Check cell-phone radiation levels;

• Get screened for depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress;

• Don't underestimate infectious-disease risks

Spa and Fitness Resources:

• $25 Spa Treatments;

• Luxe Exercise in Coconut Grove;

• Get Fit on the Fly;

• List Your Way to a Better Workout;

• "Fan" Yourself Fit

Stress Relief:

• Wearable ID That Saves Your Sanity—and Valuables;

• A Hand-Held Tension Tamer

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July 24, 2002:

In the News:

• Re-Circulated Cabin Air and the Common Cold;

• Vacation "Fatigue" and the "Let-Down Effect": When Time Off Is Anything But Restful;

• How to Report Cabin Air-Quality Problems;

• Should You Pack "Anti-Nuke" Pills? and more.

Work Out on the Go:

• A Physical Investment That Counters Fiscal Woes;

• Pilates to Go;

• Join a "Fitness Exchange";

• Enroll in Reebok U; and more

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June 13, 2002:

• Another jet-lag solution;

• New travel amenities;

• An e-mail solution to scheduling important medical tests;

• New restrictions on donating blood that affect international travelers;

• Fitness products that will have you jumping and twirling;

• A flight-attendant's take on in-flight "dining";

• The In-Room Chef; and more travel-health news.

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THE WELLNESS WIRE

A periodic column offering observations and commentary to inspire healthy choices

Go to Column Summaries

► Ensuring the Safety of Special-Needs Travelers
A cautionary tale of what can go wrong when you delegate responsibility for a loved one's care while traveling solo

► Check Your Attitude and Watch Your Mouth!

How to Avoid Trouble—On the Ground and in the Air

► Take a Breath (Take Several), Relax, and Reconnect

How to Use Holiday "Downtime" to Create a Healthier New Year

► Airplanes are Not Flying Hospitals!
Sometimes, the most important thing to pack is common sense.

►Show 'Em That You Care!

How Managers and Companies Can Minimize Travel-Related Stress

for Business Travelers

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THE WELLNESS WIRE COLUMN SUMMARIES

► Ensuring the Safety of Special-Needs Travelers
One family's experience with a missing traveler provides a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when you delegate responsibility for a loved one's care

As the number of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's increases,
and with a diagnosis confirmed at earlier ages, we're going to see more and younger people with this challenging condition flying. And if they are otherwise able and willing to do so, why shouldn't they?

But who is responsible for their safety and well-being on the road?

► Check Your Attitude and Watch Your Mouth!

How to Avoid Trouble—On the Ground and in the Air

Being on your best behavior isn't just a matter of good manners anymore. It's about ensuring that your trip doesn't get derailed and that you don't find yourself being detained or even jailed!

Today, if you mouth off, fail to comply with a directive, confront, or give attitude (as construed and defined, subjectively, by airline staff and security personnel), you can find yourself in a lot of trouble. But you don't have to be a real troublemaker to find yourself being treated like one.

Cautionary tales and tips to help you avoid being labeled—and penalized—as a security problem.

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► Ensuring the Safety of Special-Needs Travelers

One family's experience with a missing traveler provides a cautionary tale

of what can go wrong when you delegate responsibility for a loved one's care

As the number of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia increases, and with a diagnosis confirmed at earlier ages, we're going to see more, and younger, people with this challenging condition traveling by air. And if they are able and willing to do so, why shouldn't they?

But who is responsible for their safety and well-being on the road?

Includes tips and resources to reduce a special-needs passenger's risk and increase their comfort.

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► Take a Breath (Take Several), Relax, and Reconnect

How to Use Holiday "Downtime" to Create a Healthier New Year:

Downtime between the end-of-year-holidays and early January is the perfect time to shift gears, slow down and ease into a healthier life. Here’s how to improve your "right-this-minute" life and the days to come.

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► Show 'Em That You Care!

Not all of the stress that surrounds business travel is generated by the physical process of travel and flying—or even by the ongoing sparring with airline, hotel, and car-rental reps for service-as-promised-but-not-delivered. Sometimes, the biggest source of stress is more familiar and literally closer to home, namely a boss, other executives, and co-workers. A serious threat to a traveler's well being—and a source that is rarely called to task for its stress-inducing role—is the company for whom a traveler toils.

Here are some ideas and thoughts on how companies can reduce stress and improve the overall quality of life for on-the-road staffers. And, in the process, help them be more effective and productive employees.

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► Airplanes Are Not Flying Hospitals!

Let’s be honest, there are times when we know, I mean we know that we are playing craps with our health. Yet we walk around in denial. That’s risky enough on the ground. But when you put that into play in the air, you may be risking more than you know.

Unless you like putting your health and safety at risk, there are times when you shouldn't even think about getting on a plane. Learn from my tale so you don't end up playing an inflight version of medical Russian Roulette.

Includes:

• Air Ambulance

• Medical Evacuation Resources

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SPECIAL SECTIONS:

Welcome Back to the Road!

Pack Your Bags—and Your Lunch!

Whether you're new to the road or a veteran frequent traveler, it's time for a refresher course on healthy eating on the fly.

Includes:

• Healthy Eating Articles, Resources

• Fast-Food Eating: 'Healthier' Menu Options

• Fast Food Finder: Search by restaurant; menu item; maximum calories, fat, or sodium content

• Links: Fast-Food & Restaurant Chain Nutritional & Ingredient Information
for Menu Items
• How to Judge Portion Sizes

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   HEART-HEALTH HOW-TOS:

    For Sudden and Serious Cardiac Emergencies on the Go

Even young, fit, and seemingly healthy travelers are at risk of sudden—and serious—cardiac emergencies such as a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) on the road. Here's what you need to know to avoid becoming a deadly statistic.

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COMMITTED TO HEALTH
Part One: How to Manage Your Healthcare

The Basics:

• Assume Responsibility for Your Health and Well-Being

• Become an Educated and Pro-Active Healthcare Consumer

• Get the Best Health Insurance You Can Afford

• Review Your Health Insurance Plan

• Confirm Travel-Related Coverage

• Purchase Medical Evacuation Insurance

• Hire a Healthcare Financial Services Advisor/Advocate

• Do the Grunt Work—or Delegate It!

• Work With Your Physician and Other Medical Services Providers to Get Maximum Coverage

• Review—and Question—Every Medical Bill

• Check Fees—Before You Commit to Treatment

• Negotiate Fees in Advance

There’s more to staying healthy on and off the road than good dietary and exercise habits. Even individuals with healthy habits often fail to address the basics of personal healthcare management. In today’s error-ridden and fiscally challenged healthcare landscape, that can lead to physical and financial disaster.

But personal healthcare management is particularly challenging for road warriors who literally don’t have the time or resources at hand for a lot of the research and maintenance work that is the cornerstone of a functional personal healthcare plan. Fortunately, there are resources and services to help with the process.

It all starts with the #1 rule:

Assume Responsibility for Your Health and Well-Being

Everyone deserves quality healthcare. Getting it is another matter. In the maze of what passes for the healthcare system today, you have to work and plan to realize the desired outcome. Bottom line: You need a healthcare plan that you create and manage as diligently and carefully as your personal financial portfolio.

Read the article.

Copyright© 2001 to 2006, Marlene R. Fedin; no reprint or reuse, on or offline,

without express permission of the author

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