Upon seeing this headline, some may wonder what the author is getting at: Daring to hire doctors as "escorts" to alleviate loneliness while traveling? This is a misunderstanding, and allow me to explain.The purpose of travel is to enjoy oneself, yet due to a lack of health knowledge and awareness, many journeys turn into bouts of illness—setting off in high spirits only to return disappointed. In reality, traveling primarily involves three key aspects: eating, lodging, and sightseeing. If a doctor could provide "companionship" and guidance during these three phases, many unnecessary troubles might be avoided. Thus, this "three-accompaniment" service is entirely different from the other kind and should not be conflated.
First: Dining Companion – Safe and Nutritious Eating
Among these three elements, dining issues are particularly prominent. When traveling to unfamiliar places, many people report gastrointestinal discomfort, often described as "not adapting to the local environment."
Professor Jiang Zhuoqin (Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University) explains that travelers' "environmental adaptation issues" primarily stem from differences in trace elements in local water supplies and variations in dietary structures.These variations can trigger gastrointestinal dysfunction, indigestion, loss of appetite, bloating, and diarrhea. However, a more common issue today is travelers developing symptoms like oral ulcers, colloquially termed "heatiness." Professor Jiang attributes this to two main factors: first, the decline in immunity caused by travel fatigue, insufficient sleep, and excessive exertion;Secondly, dining out often prioritizes filling hunger over balanced nutrition, frequently resulting in insufficient intake of B vitamins. Deficiency in B vitamins is precisely the primary cause of "heatiness" symptoms like oral ulcers.
Regarding the aforementioned "travel sickness" and "heatiness" phenomena, Professor Jiang recommends that travelers prone to these symptoms carry nutritional supplements containing trace elements and vitamins, which are readily available in pharmacies.
Professor Jiang notes that neither "travel sickness" nor "heatiness" should be considered major issues during travel.The most critical concern should be food hygiene. Travel dining often involves subpar sanitation conditions. During summer trips, increased consumption of fruits and cold beverages, coupled with the high risk of food contamination and spoilage in hot weather, can easily lead to various intestinal infections. Neglecting the hygiene of food, fruits, and other items may result in gastroenteritis symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Nowadays, many people are increasingly drawn to travel in northwestern regions like Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, and Ms. Xu is one of them. Recently, she took advantage of her annual leave to join friends on a "Ten-Day Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang." Unexpectedly, she experienced repeated bouts of diarrhea while there. Yet her companions, who ate the same foods, showed no such symptoms.What exactly happened?
Professor Jiang Zhuoqin explained that some travelers may have mild lactase deficiency. Since they typically consume small amounts of milk or dairy products, the issue doesn't become apparent.However, in regions like Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia where dairy products form a major part of the diet, consuming large amounts of milk or dairy products containing significant lactose can trigger this deficiency. The lactose in these foods cannot be properly digested and absorbed by the body, easily leading to adverse reactions such as bloating and diarrhea.
Additionally, dietary habits vary across regions, and changes in eating patterns can sometimes trigger digestive symptoms. For example:
Tourist A: A resident of Zhanjiang, Guangdong—a coastal area—recently traveled to Inner Mongolia. The local diet centers on beef and mutton, coinciding with the off-season for vegetables. This led to a diet heavy in meat and light on vegetables, resulting in symptoms like indigestion and bloating.
Traveler B: A northern Chinese tourist vacationing in a southern coastal city renowned for seafood indulged excessively in seafood dishes. The high protein content of seafood, combined with the tendency to lightly cook it to preserve freshness, caused this traveler to experience abdominal distension and other gastric discomforts.Others cut back on meals to save money, leading to irregular eating patterns like overeating or starving themselves. This also easily triggers a series of physiological reactions like gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Xiao Song recently signed up for the "XX Holiday" tour group. Among the "Traveler Guidelines" terms, one stated: "Guests are advised to carry appropriate personal items such as chocolate..."Xiao Song wondered: Why would a travel agency ask guests to bring snacks like chocolate on a trip?
It turns out that during travel, rushing to catch schedules or tight itineraries often leave travelers without time to eat, making them prone to hypoglycemia. Symptoms include palpitations, trembling hands and feet, cold sweats, pallor, and even fainting.Therefore, whether traveling by vehicle, conducting business, or sightseeing, it's best to carry high-calorie foods like chocolate or fruit candies. If hypoglycemic symptoms appear, consume these immediately. Diabetics should especially adhere to regular, measured meals—skip meals if you haven't eaten, and avoid taking blood sugar medication on an empty stomach. Should hypoglycemia occur, promptly consume fast-acting high-sugar foods like fruit candies.If traveling without candy, consuming sugary drinks or other foods can restore normal blood sugar levels, though recovery may take slightly longer. Should a travel companion experience hypoglycemia and suddenly collapse, immediately lay them flat on their back, loosen clothing buttons and belts, and administer concentrated sugar water, sweet beverages, or fruit juice. This typically provides rapid relief.If none of these measures alleviate hypoglycemia symptoms, consider other medical conditions and seek immediate treatment at a local hospital.
II. Accommodation: Staying Comfortable and Secure
While traveling, maintaining hygiene isn't just about food—it extends to lodging, especially for those who value cleanliness."A thousand days at home are better than half a day away"—accommodation costs significantly, and not every traveler can afford high-star hotels with superior hygiene.
When staying in hotels, travelers' concerns primarily stem from two areas: bedding items like sheets, quilts, and pillows; and bathroom fixtures such as toilets and bathtubs.Professor Lu Chun (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University) notes that the hygiene risk with bedding lies in inadequate cleaning and disinfection, which can lead to infectious diseases like scabies and pubic lice. While scabies and pubic lice are generally eliminated through disinfection, eggs hidden in mattresses and pillows can sometimes be difficult to remove. Under suitable conditions, these eggs may hatch and cause infection.Generally, measures like sun exposure, boiling water rinsing, or chemical disinfection can eliminate parasites and infectious pathogens. However, hotel standards vary widely, so travelers should pay close attention to hygiene conditions when selecting accommodations.Professor Lu recommends vigorously beating bedding, sheets, and pillows upon arrival at a hotel to dislodge some hidden parasites, dust mites, and their eggs. Additionally, wearing pajamas or underwear while sleeping is advisable to minimize direct contact transmission.
Some travelers worry that sitting on toilets or using bathtubs might spread STDs. While this concern has some basis, excessive anxiety is unnecessary. Research data indicates that over 95% of STD transmission occurs through sexual contact, with less than 5% resulting from indirect contact with contaminated secretions. Moreover, most STD pathogens are highly sensitive to disinfectants, so thoroughly sanitized surfaces pose little risk.Many hotels now affix "Disinfected" stickers to toilet seats in guest rooms to reassure travelers, though this practice remains far from universal. Professor Lu notes that even if bodily fluids from an infected person were present on these surfaces, transmission would be unlikely without specific conditions being met, so travelers need not be overly concerned.
Professor Lu recommends avoiding baths in hotel tubs—even at high-end establishments—and opting for showers instead. Before using a sit-down toilet, wipe the seat with disinfectant wipes. Some hotels provide disposable toilet seat covers to minimize indirect transmission of skin-related STIs. When staying at smaller inns, bring your own towels and bath linens.
Costume Rentals: Enjoy with Peace of Mind
Many tourist attractions now offer rentals of so-called "emperor robes," "princess costumes," and various ethnic outfits to attract visitors, allowing them to experience the fantasy of being royalty. Many young women are particularly fond of these colorful garments, with numerous visitors dressing up in multiple sets for photo souvenirs.Regarding this, Professor Lu Chun cautions that caution is wise with such attire. Consider this: these garments have been worn by hundreds or even thousands of people, and they are generally not promptly cleaned or disinfected. This makes them prone to spreading scabies and other skin diseases, so travelers should exercise prudence. Additionally, after returning home from your trip, it's best to expose your clothing to direct sunlight.