Christine Webb, Your Health And Fitness

While family vacations can be fun, they can become extremely stressful if there are unexpected health problems.

What you do ahead of time could end up saving lives.

Parents pay attention to packing and vacation details, but you also need to prepare for any health emergencies.

The experts say to first create a travel health kit that includes medicines that are regularly taken by members of the family, as well as medicines for sudden ailments, such as congestion or a rash.

It’s also recommended you pack a fever reducer, an antihistamine, bandages and a topical antibiotic ointment. You’re advised against including an anti-diarrhea medicine for traveler's diarrhea. It's better to consult with your doctor to learn about antibiotics that treat bacterial infections that can cause diarrhea.

Make sure you consider potential issues related to your mode of transportation. For example, air travel can cause ear pain.

If a child is prone to motion sickness, don't sit in the middle of the plane over the wings.

If you're traveling by car, you can help prevent motion sickness by discouraging your children from reading in the car or looking down. If they start to feel ill, they should focus their eyes on a point in front of them.

Prior to leaving for your trip, take a few minutes to find the information and phone numbers for ambulances, police stations, hospitals and fire departments where you'll be going.

Write these emergency numbers down on a piece of paper or a flash card that will be easy for you to read. Put your emergency numbers in a place you can quickly remember like a wallet, purse, or suitcase pocket, so if needed, you can quickly access these vital numbers

To see more Health and Fitness stories, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

Comment on this story.