International Travel and Health – Module 5: Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Conditions

overview

Depending on the traveler’s health status, the type of trip, and the stops and destinations, travellers may face different health risks during their travels. The International Travel and Health collection serves as a gateway to other World Health Organization (WHO) publications that provide more information. The primary target audience is travel health practitioners and travel health experts who provide health advice to travellers on appropriate precautions to take before, during and after their trip to minimise travel-related health risks in unfamiliar environments.

Module 5 covers various aspects related to mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders that travel health care practitioners should be aware of when supporting travelers, or people with these disorders who are considering traveling. International travel can be a stressful experience. Travelers may be faced with being away from family and familiar social support systems, and having to adapt to a foreign culture and language. Dealing with high levels of stress can lead to physical, social, and psychological problems. Circadian rhythm changes and lack of sleep can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, induce migraine attacks, and worsen behavioral symptoms in people with dementia. The stress of travel can worsen existing MNS disorders or make them apparent for the first time.