Hidden Dangers of Traveling After 70 That Every Senior Must Know Before Their Next Trip
I was chatting with Dr. Fareha Jamal — a pharmacist and research whiz at BioNTech in Munich — and Maryam Jamal, a fifth-year med student who’s super into health writing, about some stuff I’ve been reading lately. It’s all about the hidden challenges of traveling after 70, and honestly, it’s got me thinking about how we can keep our loved ones safe and healthy on their next adventure. Whether it’s your grandparents planning a big trip or you’re just curious about staying active later in life, this is worth a quick catch-up over coffee — or, you know, your screen!
The Physical Side of Travel: More Than Just Stretching Your Legs
Travel can be a blast, but after 70, it’s not as simple as hopping on a plane and going. Long flights, lugging bags through airports, or wandering cobblestone streets can really take a toll. One biggie Dr. Fareha mentioned is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a fancy term for a blood clot that can form in your legs when you’re sitting still for too long, like on a 10-hour flight to Paris. If that clot breaks loose, it could travel to your lungs, and that’s a medical emergency nobody wants on vacation.
Imagine your Uncle Joe, 72, excited for his dream trip to Italy. He’s fine on the flight over, but after hours of sitting, he starts feeling leg pain he shrugs off as “just getting old.” Next thing you know, he’s in a foreign hospital with a DVT diagnosis…
Healthcare on the Go: Not Every Place Is Ready for Emergencies
Here’s something else we talked about: healthcare isn’t the same everywhere. In the U.S., you’re used to quick doctor visits or well-stocked hospitals. But if you’re in a remote village or even some cities abroad, the medical setup might be patchy. Maryam pointed out that seniors often need a solid plan — think…
