Many people travel for leisure or work every year using planes, buses, cars, boats, and trains. For people with thyroid disease, taking safety precautions and learning ways to plan for trips can help. Here are safe travel tips for anybody with thyroid disease.

Always Carry Adequate Medication

While you can buy medication at your travel destination, it’s wise to pack yours before traveling. That way, you can be safe even if you’re stuck somewhere or your flight delays due to strikes, weather, plan changes, breakdowns, or losing your pills.

Carry a Doctor’s Note

Public transit stations, airports, and other entry ports have radiation detections. You can set off radioactive iodine treatment for months or weeks afterward if you have them. However, carry a letter or card from your doctor explaining your health condition. That way, you can avoid trouble if you trigger the alarms when traveling.

Stretch More Often

Regardless of the transportation means, take frequent stretching breaks. Ideally, try to stand and walk around more often. That way, you can relieve any muscle and joint pain that your thyroid disease might cause. Also, stand up slowly after sitting for over 30 minutes because the blood might have pooled, leading to dizziness when standing up.

After standing, rotate and flex your back, neck, calves, ankles, and shoulders to avoid stiffness. You can also walk in the cabin when flying after every hour if possible.

Stay Hydrated and Protect the Immune System

Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis make a person more susceptible to infections. Therefore, avoid enclosed spaces when traveling with passengers because they may have infectious diseases. Also, drink sufficient water to keep your body hydrated. But don’t drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages because they are dehydrating.

Final Word

Thyroid disease is generally a chronic illness. Therefore, talk to your healthcare provider before traveling, especially when flying. And this is particularly crucial after a medical procedure like surgery.