5 min read
Travelling
Travelling is still possible with pulmonary fibrosis, although some extra planning will be needed
It’s important to carry on doing the things you enjoy doing, like taking holidays or visiting friends and family.
The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis can create challenges when travelling. When planning and taking longer trips, it’s important to consult the treatment team for advice. Whether you are travelling by car, bus, boat, train or plane, it is still important to make arrangements that consider your condition.
Having a clear understanding of your destination, transport options and any special requirements is important to make sure you have a healthy and happy experience.
Things to consider when choosing your destination
Sometimes places which you might want to travel to can be more difficult to visit if you have pulmonary fibrosis. There are factors which can make certain destinations more challenging.
You should discuss your options with your treatment team, the travel provider (e.g. travel agent or airline), and insurance companies to make travel plans that work for you.
Below are some examples of things to consider before deciding where you are going to travel to:1,2
-
The altitude. At high altitudes, there is less oxygen in the air. This makes it much harder to breathe. Therefore, you may need to have additional oxygen or adjustments to your current oxygen treatment when travelling to high altitudes.1
-
The climate at your destination. Very hot or cold climates can make it harder to breathe or cause symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness to flare up. Other pollutants such as pollen in the spring can also affect your breathing.2
-
The terrain. Walking uphill or on rough terrain is more difficult than flat roads or level ground. This extra effort may make your breathlessness worse.2
QUICK TIP
Before planning a trip, always speak to your treatment team to discuss your destination and assess any special arrangements you may need
Going on a trip or holiday can be a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. However, it is important that you do everything you can to prevent any incidents that could affect your health.
-
Plan in advance. If you leave things to the last minute, you could forget something important. Think about how far you can walk, how many stairs you can manage, how accessible the toilets will be and what transport you can use. Always check to see if your destination can accommodate people who are less mobile
-
Think about your medications. Many patients with pulmonary fibrosis have a variety of different medications they take to support their health and wellbeing. If you are going to another country and your medicine contains a controlled substance you may need to prove that the medication has been prescribed to you
-
Insurance. As you have a serious illness, you may need a specialist medical travel insurance policy, as standard policies may not cover you if you need medical treatment. Speak to your treatment team or insurance provider for additional guidance on the types of coverage needed
-
Shop around. Different insurance companies have different policies for people with lung conditions, so find the best deal for you. Many travel agents offer holidays for people with special requirements where your needs will be looked after
-
Speak to your doctor. Before you go, you should always speak to your treatment team. They will determine if you need supplemental oxygen or adjustments to your oxygen therapy if you already have a prescription. They may also discuss the destination and any special requirements you will need
-
Ask questions. Travel agencies, airlines and other travel providers often have specialist teams to help people who are less mobile or have health conditions. Ask plenty of questions about your trip so that they can answer any issues or concerns you may have2
QUICK TIP
When travelling to certain destinations (and especially when flying), people with pulmonary fibrosis may need to have supplemental oxygen therapy, even if they don’t need it every day
Oxygen therapy
Key takeaways
You can still travel even if you have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis
You will need to take extra steps to prepare before you travel and make arrangements for your medication and any additional oxygen
Speak to your treatment team before you travel, and you may need to inform your travel or insurance company in advance
-
Luks AM. Do Lung Disease Patients Need Supplemental Oxygen at High Altitude? High Alt Med Biol. 2009;10(4):321–327.
-
British Lung Foundation. Going on holiday: How and where can I travel? Available at: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/going-on-holiday [Accessed March 2022].
Also in this section
Quitting smoking
Relaxation
“I think it’s very important to try to keep on living your life as you were used to. So if you want to travel go for it, but discuss it with your doctor or with the nurse”
The Netherlands