Men's Health Issues and Fitness to Travel

Many men try to avoid anything to do with seeing their doctor. However, it is important to get a full health check at least once every two years, if you are a frequent traveller. Those who travel frequently should aim to be at a peak level of fitness, as travel is demanding work.

Check your Health

It is important for the business traveller to ensure they have a health check-up with their doctor at least once every two years. Checking your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are essential, as well as determining your risk factors and keeping your vaccinations up to date, and receiving advice on a healthy lifestyle. Your travel schedule and times for rest should also be reviewed and back to back trips avoided.

Check your Weight

The number of overweight males in the United Kingdom has continued to rise over the last 20 years and as a business traveller you are at risk of health problems if you are overweight. Discuss with your Doctor what would be a suitable weight and if required, make an effort to reduce your weight slowly.

When travelling, try to eat at regular meal times in your destination country. Avoid grabbing snacks in between meals. Hunger pangs can be dealt with by eating fresh fruit (peeled or washed) or a portion of dried fruit. Eating a good breakfast at local time will set you up for the day.

Big lunches and dinner receptions can quickly add on the weight. If you have a choice of food, go for a lighter meal with plenty of clean fruit or vegetables and try not to eat two main meals every day when you are travelling. If the food is self-service just cut down on your portions. Eating a little less food over a period of time will eventually reap rewards.

Check your Alcohol Consumption

Recognise that, in many ways, alcohol is a drug and should be treated with respect. Too much alcohol can have an adverse effect on your health - as well as causing impotence and a lower sex drive; it can cause damage to the liver, brain and heart muscle. A weekly limit of alcohol should not go above 28 units, although a healthy limit should remain below 21 units per week. This amounts to about 3 glasses of wine or 2 pints of beer each day.

If you drink in the hotel bar because you are lonely when you travel, try to take up a hobby on the road or use the gym or pool at your hotel. You are able to plan your work time well - why not apply the same principles to your free time. Try to get to know more about the local cultures when you travel, or learn the language.

Try to keep a record of how much you drink over a week, adding all of the social meetings, in flight drinks and quiet nights out in the pub. By being aware of how much you are consuming you will know how much you need to cut back.

Alcohol can have a positive effect and has been seen to help reduce cholesterol levels when used in moderation. Red wine has been shown to have benefits when drunk with a meal.

In a study looking at alcohol related accidents abroad, it was noted that more accidents are caused by drunken pedestrians than drivers - if you must drink while you are away make sure you have booked a reputable taxi company to pick you up and return you to your hotel afterwards.

Increased alcohol consumption will cause a decrease in work productivity. This can quickly lead to stress and thus a vicious circle of increased consumption of alcohol. Try to recognise your stress levels before they get too much, and also look out for those you work with.

Check how much you are smoking

If you smoke you will be well aware of your increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer, respiratory disorders and general health. No smoking regulations on most flights now give the smoker an excellent excuse to give up.

If you do want to give up smoking and are on frequent business trips, discuss this with your doctor and make sure you get full support and medication as an option.

If you continue to smoke and this is making you unbearable to travel with, get advice from your Doctor. Many incidences of air rage are a direct result of people being stressed, as they are unable to smoke on long flights.

Check your risk of sexual disease

In many countries around the globe sexual extra-marital behaviour is seen as "normal". For the business traveller this poses a risk when tempted to indulge in local sexual rituals and practices. There is a know increase in the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted disease where such cultural norms exist. Surveys show that many people have sex with previously unknown foreign partners while abroad resulting in sexually transmitted disease on return home. 80% of AIDS cases reported in the UK in 1993 were contracted while abroad.

The only sexually transmitted disease that is preventable by vaccination is Hepatitis B - see your Doctor or Nurse for information on this vaccine.
Extra strong condoms should always be used when having casual sex, they should be bought at home, before travelling, and as in many countries local condoms can be destroyed by heat and are often of a poorer quality.
If on return from your trip or while away you have any unusual rash, discharge or soreness you should stop having sex and see your Doctor immediately.