ShareThisBy LEE BOWMAN
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
If you're among the masses hitting the highways or boarding ramps for the holidays, there are some health matters, new and old, to consider.
Along with those tubes of liquids and gels, some air travelers may find they've got security issues that they just can't check in baggage or leave home.
A growing number of airport checkpoints have sensors for radiation. And the Society for Nuclear Medicine is warning that patients who have recently had certain radiation treatments or medical imaging tests may be at risk of setting off detectors at airports and other sensitive locations.
Last year, 17.2 million Americans underwent nuclear-medicine procedures, although most use materials that either shouldn't be detectable or whose strength fades within a few days.
But for some patients, the isotopes could come to haunt them when they travel.
"Occasionally, a patient who has had a nuclear-medicine procedure may be stopped by security personnel because he or she may trigger the alarm on a radiation detector. On rare occasions, this could cause long delays, interrogation and body searches," said Martin Sandler, SNM president.
One way to avoid problems is not to schedule travel near the time of nuclear-medicine use. But if that's not practical, it's important to know what material has been used, and to get a letter from your doctor that includes information about the testing facility, including a 24-hour contact, the date of the procedure, and what radionuclide was used, its half-life and what it does after being administered.
The society says most of the recent problems with radiation monitors have involved iodine-131, which is used to treat hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer and lymphoma. This material may be detectable for up to three months after treatment.
Also on the potential hit list: technetium-99m and thallium-201, both used in blood-flow imaging studies. Tc-99m is used in most studies and fades after three or four days, but Tl-201 may remain detectable for up to 30 days. Fluorine-18 is commonly used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies, and should decay sufficiently for patients to travel within 24 to 36 hours.
If you do have a problem going through security due to nuclear medicine, the society urges you to call your doctor and have him report the incident, so the organization can continue to identify triggers and work with authorities in avoiding problems in the future.
Meanwhile, travelers also need to be aware of an old but still dangerous problem _ long flights or drives that put those in their 50s and older at risk for developing blood clots in their legs. Yes, it's more difficult than ever to stand up and take a stroll through the cabin, but if you're in the air longer than two or three hours, make the effort. Likewise, get out of the car and move around for at least 10 minutes during breaks off the road.
Drinking water, doing stretching exercises with your calves and wearing compression stockings also help protect against deep vein thrombosis.
Another holiday road hazard is medicine _ yours and others. If you need to take certain medicines on a set schedule, make an effort to stick to it while traveling and visiting, even if mealtimes are disrupted or different from what you're used to. Pack snacks if you have to "take with food." Avoid skipping or "bunching up" doses.
If little children are going to be visiting Grandma's house, adults need to do a quick childproofing check of the place _ preferably in advance _ that includes making sure medicines or other household hazards are secured.
Oh, and one more concern: It is high germ season out there, and it's really a good idea to get a flu shot before mingling. On planes, trains and buses, don't just cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing _ use a tissue or handkerchief. Then wash your hands. It's a good excuse for getting up and walking the aisle.
On the Net: www.snm.org
