TRAVELING WITH OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA

 

Osteoporosis is a disorder that involves the sheer brittleness of bones. Those who suffer from it generally cannot function in everyday activities due to the risk of severely cracking bones or shattering them altogether. Because of this, it is usually advisable to not travel for long distances, though even every day commute can pose a serious risk. Here are a few pointers to remember while travelling, if you suffer from osteoporosis or know someone who does:

•         It is still fine to travel with osteoporosis. Unlike those who suffer from arthritis and other joint and blood dysfunctions, osteoporosis patients can travel long distances for any lengths of time, as long a precautions are made as to minimising any risk of bone damage due to its fragility.
•         When travelling, an osteoporosis patient cannot partake in a lot of movement or activities that are vigorous in nature. Bones at this stage are very delicate and a slight mishap can have dire consequences. Those who suffer from it should find comfortable modes of transport and be careful when walking, climbing or manoeuvring unknown terrain.
•         Before travelling, good precautions should be taken to make sure that there is comfort travelling and resting. Chairs and transport should have sufficient padding and cushions and the seating arrangement should be such that not a lot of activity happens around which may lead to some bumping that would be able to fracture a bone.
•         Unfamiliar terrain that is involved with osteoporosis is generally not recommended. Beforehand, measures should be taken to familiarize one’s self with how simple every day things like a bumpy sidewalk or mountainous region can be hazardous for the patient.
•         Those who may have just gone through a fracture in the bone and not quite healed yet, should avoid travelling altogether unless the setting is in place. Additionally, one must avoid travelling alone or with someone unfamiliar with the condition. All precautions must be taken while travelling, including good surrounding medical facilities in case of a mishap.
•         If there is any discomfort, the patient suffering with osteoporosis must not suffer in silence. Letting those around you take care of you is very important since even a small sign can mean that something is going wrong. Always let those around you know well in advance that you or your loved one is going through this condition so that others may avoid be careless during the tenure of travel.
•         If there is any medication provided by an expert that needs to be taken regularly, make sure that time is adjusted in case of foreign travel to fit the time of medication intake. It is imperative to do as your doctor or certified medical practitioner has requested you to do, because medicines are given for a reason.

Living with osteoporosis doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy life. One needs to be confident and not confine oneself to be housebound. But being cautious as well will go a long way.

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