Blood Clots: Air Passengers Allowed to Sue
Posted October 20, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Health
Right after Ed posted “Are You in Danger of Getting Deep Vein Thrombosis?“, I read an interesting piece on MSNBC that stated that U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker is allowing 3 lawsuits to proceed by passengers who claim that cramped seating resulted in blog clots.
Apparently these passengers had each complained of pain to their respective airline (Singapore, U.S. Airways and Delta), which in turn did not permit them to switch to seats with more leg room.
Hmmm… let’s see, how would that request go?
“OWWWWWW… can I get a free upgrade to first class?”
I personally would rather avoid risking the blood clot in the first place by buying a first class ticket, wearing those compression socks and following the other recommendations Ed talked about in his post.
Prevention is the best cure!
Technorati Tags: blood clots, flying, lawsuit, compression socks
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$8.50 for a Bottle of WATER?
Posted October 20, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Rants
While at the Affiliate Convention this past August in Montreal, I stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental.
It is a truly beautiful and elegant hotel and I managed to get a room with a great view of the river. The Intercontinental’s customer service was fabulous and access to nearby attractions (e.g. China Town, Old Montreal, St. Catherine Street, etc.) is all within easy walking distance.
I did have one complaint though - why are they stocking the rooms with bottles of water for which they charge $8.50?
Granted, it is a bottle of frou-frou FIJI water that according to Wikipedia is “a brand of bottled water which is bottled in the Fiji Islands. The water comes from an artesian well in the Yaqara Range of the Nakauvadra Mountains.”
But $8.50?!!! Why not bring in Dasani which not only tastes much better but has its Canadian source in Brampton, Ontario which is a mere 570 kilometers away - not a 20-hour flight away. Not only would this be easier on hotel guests’ pocket books, but infinitely better for an environment already in peril.
Speaking of taste - the tap water in Montreal is treated, completely safe to drink and tasted absolutely fine.
Anyway, if you’re staying at the Hotel Intercontinental in Montreal, save your money and be kind to the environment!
Pass on the ridiculously expensive frou-frou Fiji water and grab a glass of tap water. If you’re desperately in need of bottled water, do what I saw a number of other hotel guests do - walk a block to the local convenience store where you can get a bottle of Dasani for around a buck.
Technorati Tags: bottled water, Fiji, Dasani, Montreal, tap water
Save Your Life: Wear a Medical ID Bracelet!
Posted October 18, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Health, Health & Personal Care
Getting sick while you are on a trip is not only a drag, but it can be downright frightening - even life threatening - especially when you don’t have an excellent command of the language.
I know exactly how frightening and frustrating it is not to be able to communicate properly with a doctor after getting a horrific infection in Mexico some years ago that very nearly cost me my leg. A big part of the problem was that I couldn’t explain exactly what had happened and the cause wasn’t perfectly obvious - so it wasn’t treated properly right from the start.
And accidents do happen.
Ed and I were in a bus crash in Morocco years ago, I saw a guy break his neck in a swimming pool in Jamaica and another fellow have a heart attack in a restaurant in Spain.
Getting to a hospital emergency room in an unconcious state and having no one to speak for you puts you at even more risk if you suffer from any of the health conditions listed below.
- Diabetes
- Cardiac problems and implants (angina, atrial fibrillation, pacemakers)
- Treatment with anticoagulants (warfarin)
- Drug allergies
- Food allergies (such as peanut)
- Insect allergies (such as bee stings)
- Alzheimer’s disease, memory impairments
- Hypertension
- Stroke risk
- Pulmonary conditions (asthma, COPD)
- Kidney failure
- Emphysema, breathing disorders
- Anemia, blood disorders
- Epilepsy, seizure disorders
- Hearing, visual or mental impairments
- Children with special needs (Autism)
- Tourette Syndrome
- Surgery, transplant and cancer patients
- Clinical trial participation
- People taking multiple medicines
- Rare disease/Blood Type
- Sickle Cell Anemia
If you have any of the conditions listed above, you should already be wearing a medical ID bracelet (or necklace.. or watch) at all times… and not just when you’re on vacation.
Remember, your travel companion who does speak the language may be in a similar state in the room down the hall — so don’t count on anyone but yourself and your medical ID bracelet!
Here’s a comment from Marva C .Vallejo, California about her medical ID bracelet:
I was pretty dazed in the ambulance, but I was still able to point the EMT to my bracelet. When she read it, she said, ‘You are a very smart woman to wear this’.
No kidding.
And medical professionals DO look for medical ID bracelets.
A recent survey of emergency medical professionals, including EMTs and paramedics, in the U.S. found that more that 95 percent of repondents look for a medical ID during emergencies, with 95 percent looking at the patient’s wrist to find a medical ID and 68 percent looking for an ID on the patient’s neck. (Hint: Get the bracelet!)
Furthermore, doctors and healthcare organizations throughout the world recommend wearing medical IDs including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Word Health Organization.
Please - don’t even think about travelling abroad without this most basic form of insurance. A medical ID bracelet could very well save your life! Prices start as low as $26.00 and discounts are available if you order more than one.
American Medical ID processes orders within 2-3 weeks. Should you need your medical ID sooner, you may choose Rush processing. In that case, your medical ID will be made and posted as quickly as the next business day via the delivery means you choose.
Get your American Medical ID today! The service is available to both Canadians and Americans.
Deep Vein Thrombosis: Are You at Risk?
Posted October 18, 2007 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Health
Sitting for several hours in a seat on a plane, coach, train or car has been linked to the possibility of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs. With the seat cuchion pressing on the back of your thighs the blood will want to remain in your lower legs. This may cause stiffness, joint pain, swelling and fever. It also increases the odds that a blood clot could form in the veins. If this clot breaks free it can lodge in the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism that could result in health problems or even death.
The risks are small for most healthy people but some airlines now have warnings about deep vein thrombosis and offer tips on how to avoid it.
Here are some tips:
Keep hydrated drink lots of water, avoid coffee, tea, alcohol.
Wear compression socks.
Avoid salty food.
Move around the aircraft cabin occasionally booking an asile seat makes this easier.
If your legs are short place your carry on under your feet after take off.
Here are some factors that would indicate a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis:
- If you have had DVT before or if DVT runs in your family.
- If you have recently undergone surgery.
- If you have varicose veins.
- If you are obese
- If you are dehydrated.
- If you smoke.
- If you are pregnant.
- If you are undergoing estrogen therapy.
- If you are older than 40.
If you have circulation problems, a history of blood clots you should consult your doctor.
Technorati Tags: deep vein thrombosis, blood clot, pulmonary embolism, varicose veins
Cross Country With Sirius Satellite Radio
Posted October 16, 2007 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Electronics
When I retired and moved from Ontario to British Columbia, Ros and I drove across the country.
We had taken many road trips in the past and reception in the hinterlands proved at times limited if not non existent.
I became aware of satellite radio and after reviewing the options I purchased a SIRIUS Sportster Radio with Car Kit. The installation was simple and it only took a few minutes on-line to activate the unit.
Technorati Tags: satellite radio, SIRIUS
Banish Stubborn Wrinkles with a Travel Steamer Iron
Posted October 15, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Cothing Care
Drinking Water Safety on the Road
Posted October 14, 2007 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Health, Health Products
Clean safe drinking water is something that many of us in the developed world take for granted. Unfortunately this is not the case for most of the world population.
Traveling to countries where the safety of drinking water is suspect you should boil or disinfect and filter water that is to be used for drinking, food preparation, or even to brush your teeth.
Microscopic parasites that can be found in water. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are two of these parasites that can be found in untreated water. Even municipal water can be suspect and authorities will issue a boil water alert. Giardia causes an intestinal illness called giardiasis or “beaver fever.” Cryptosporidium is responsible for a similar illness called cryptosporidiosis.
Diarrhea, gas, malaise, abdominal cramps and weight loss are the most common symptoms caused by these parasites. Vomiting, headache, fever and chills also occur. These symptoms usually manifest from 2 to 25 days after the initial contact and can continue as long as one month. In healthy individuals the symptoms clear after about a month.
Being very ill is not the way you want to spend your long-awaited vacation. Ros and I don’t take chances. Before we leave we take DukOral which helps protect you from cholera and E.coili bacteria the most common cause of “travelers diarrhea. We also always prefer to drink bottled water. If the situation occurs when bottled water is not available we use water filters.
We use a Katadyn® Exstream Water Bottle that has a built in replaceable water filter. On a long hike it is nice to be able to recharge our water supply rather than have to hump the extra weight.
Technorati Tags: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, parasites, beaver fever, E.coili, water filters
Holiday Inn Express - Raising The Bar
Posted October 14, 2007 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Hotels
On our recent road trip we stayed at three Holiday Inn Express Hotels, Whitefish Montana, Coeur D’Alane Idaho and Downtown Spokane Washington. The one that stood out in terms of service was the hotel in Coeur D’Alene.
Check-in was fast and friendly and we were given complimentary water. Shortly after we arrived in the room the desk called to see if everything was to our satisfaction. Whenever we encountered a staff member we were greeted in a friendly manner. The hotel is clean and I noticed staff cleaning the parking lot and windows around the hotel.
We noticed that they hold a movie night on Mondays and show films in the lobby.
Better yet, the evening we were there, they had a Manager’s Reception with a Free B.B.Q. dinner that included beer, wine, and soft drinks.
Holiday Inn used to have the Motto “No Surprises”, well we where pleasantly surprised by the level of service provided here.
Technorati Tags: Holiday Inn Express, Whitefish Montana, Coeur D’Alane Idaho, Spokane Washington, Holiday Inn
50% Off on Restaurant.com Gift Certificates
Posted October 10, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Food, Travel Deals
Whether you’re passionate about trying new restaurants or just need a night away from the kitchen, dining out is a wonderful treat. There are so many places to try, new cuisines to sample – more great dining options now than ever before. and Restaurant.com will help you indulge.
Restaurant.com is about celebrating the dining experience more affordably. They provide certificates for literally thousands of great restaurants – many of them right in your neighborhood – that bring you the fun and pleasure of eating out while spending less.
If you dine out often your savings can really add up!
50% Off Sale! Use code PASSPORT at checkout. Offer expires Oct. 14th!
Credit-Card Sized Digital Camera
Posted October 7, 2007 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Cameras
