winter

Travel tips for Christmas trips

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travel tips

Traveling can be stressful let alone during the festive season when many are going home for the holidays, visiting friends and family and meeting up with loved ones for Christmas. This can provide another layer of anxiety for those using medical oxygen and could deter anyone from even thinking about travel. Here are a few tips so you can set off on your travels and not miss out plus feel more relaxed as with anything planning and being prepared is the best tip especially if you have portable oxygen to take with you and also if you are going away for a longer period than normal.

  1. Avoid travelling on busy days for example Christmas Eve or once most companies break up for the Christmas holidays.
  2. Always plan to have extra battery power in case of travel delays or disruptions beyond your control.
  3. Real Christmas trees are magical but for those with respiratory difficulties this can affect your breathing. Fake Christmas trees are much safer.
  4. The festive season brings out all the scents but also with this comes naked flames so avoid scented candles that may trigger problems and also walk passed those chestnuts on open fires or grills.
  5. If you are traveling via air or sea please do check with your transportation provider your needs and that you are all pre-booked for your requirements. It is always advised to check all requirements before travel to stop any confusion or problems when boarding.

Finally enjoy your holiday, the time of year and being with your loved ones. Christmas is a magical time and can be enjoyed by all. Simply plan and prepare for all situations. If you require medical oxygen abroad simply send your medical requirements to the team at OxygenWorldwide who can arrange everything for you. Having 24/7 contact especially during holidays is a must and the OxygenWorldwide team will be your support.

5 tips for winter if you have breathing problems

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Here are our 5 tips to help you breathe better now we have moved into winter cold season:

  1. Use a scarf or mask to place around your mouth as this will make it easier to breathe in the cold winter air
  2. Use a humidifier at home to help keep the dry air moisturised
  3. For those who prefer to get outdoors remember to try to avoid the coldest part of the day
  4. Also move your exercises to indoors so not outside in the cold for too long
  5. If short of breath close your lips together when its cold

Winter is a season where it is best to make sure you are more aware of how this affects your breathing. Stay wrapped up warm, keep moving and if you have an inhaler keep this with you at all times. You may have asthma, COPD or another respiratory illness and remember just be prepared but you can still enjoy day to day activities.

Is this your first winter with medical oxygen?

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Winter and tree with no leaves

For those who may be new to using medical oxygen as a supplement to breathing this may be your first winter. Winter is not as scary as most of us think, temperatures drop and breathing can become more difficult. Just remember that as long as you are aware you can still do everything you need to each day, You are not alone and winter just means you need to be a bit more careful on how it affects you. Many patients that suffer from respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma or need to use oxygen after covid may be fearful of the temperature falling. All you need to be aware of is protecting your lungs during this season as you are exposed to the cold air.

3 tips on what to do during winter:

  1. Stay indoors a bit more during these months – for example exercise indoors more than in warmer months and make sure your home is well insulated
  2. Wrap up warm when going outside, wear extra layers or thermals to keep your body warmer
  3. Make sure your mouth and nose is covered, use breathable materials such as wool

If you are looking to travel during the winter months please do contact our team on what is required and also arrange all your medical oxygen needs. You can visit our website for further information or contact our team directly here.

Boost your diet to protect against severe asthma attacks.

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Supplements in a bottle

Another fantastic article we have to be brought back to our current readers who have sever asthma, here are some great supplements that have been noted to help. Please do check with your doctor before taking as these are just recommendations from various sources.

We are all aware of extra nutrients and vitamins we need. But especially in winter in most European and other countries the sun goes down and we lack a vital Vitamin D. There have been several studies around this helping against severe asthma attacks. Winter is especially difficult due to the cold air and this causes airways to go into spasm.

If you are looking on ways to help please speak to your doctor about taking more Vitamin D during this winter to help ease the symptoms. Even for those who do not suffer from asthma attacks can have benefits of this vitamin as we lack the goodness of the sun. This can even simply be feeling more energised during those cold winter months and what our bodies need more of.

Take a look at our website for more resources and help with those needing medical oxygen here.

Best Winter Trip 2022

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lake in winter
  • Iceland – A great island in winter, beautiful scenery.
  • Madeira – A wonderful landscape.
  • Andalucia – Amazing for Winter.
  • Sicily – Small island but so much to see.
  • United Kingdom – London, Edinburgh, Bath – great historical cities.
  • Germany – So picturesque.
  • Cyprus – For those looking for warmer winter holidays.

For all your medical oxygen needs please do send your desired destination and oxygen needs to our expert team simply online here or call us.

Stay well this winter

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For those that already have a long-term condition, winter can be made worse. It doesn’t have to bring you down – all you need to do if this is you is be a bit more careful and you can enjoy these seasonal months.

Here are 3 main things you can do to help winter be easier

  1. Make sure you eat regularly and have hot drinks such as coffee, tea or lemon and honey in hot water. Its also great to bake and cook your own hot main meal of the day such as soup, casserole or cake
  2. Keep your home warm at about 18 degrees especially your bedroom for when you are asleep at night time
  3. Also check in on your neighbours and friends – if you cannot walk or drive then do catch up regularly via a phone call – conversation is great and also they will know you are ok and well

Thinking of booking a holiday?

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For many the rules, the traffic light system was all too much to make the usual trip abroad. It seemed simpler and easier to stay at home. Recently for UK travellers the traffic system has been taken away making it much simpler to travel. It will have less extra cost now that PCR tests have also been scrapped. The only rules you need to be aware of is the country you are visiting and to stay clear of red countries (currently at time of writing only 7 are on this list). These are all based on if you are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated travellers will still be required to take PCR tests before and after their travel.

Voila! Its now time to travel; so many short breaks to be had and get away for some winter sunshine, a city break or to see those you have been missing.

winter holidays

Don’t forget travelling with medical oxygen needs also needn’t be complicated. All you need is more organisation. That’s why our team are on hand to help on that part – we just leave the destination to you! Contact us today to help with your plans.

3 Wellness tips for winter

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winter
  1. It is beneficial if you try to breathe via your nose instead of your mouth. Doing this will warm up the air you breathe in and make you feel much more warmer.
  2. By staying active you will generate extra body heat to help you stay warm and also being active will also promote a positive mentality and positive wellbeing.
  3. At home if you maintain a consistent temperature of at least 18°C (64°F) and keep your windows closed as cold air will increase the chances of any respiratory infections.

With the colder months drawing in you must make sure you plan and prepare so you can be warm and safe this winter.

3 tips on how to prepare for winter

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preparing for winter
  1. Keep your medical equipment in safe places and always upright and any spares keep away from heat indoors or behind curtains
  2. Don’t get too hot! Keep any portable oxygen concentrators, medical oxygen tanks away from fires, candles, stoves and heaters that are on during the colder months to avoid explosions.
  3. Going outside? Prepare well as extreme changes in temperature may cause condensation in your tank or cracking on any tubing. Keep what you can under your clothes or a blanket to kept equipment insulated.

Traveling during winter?

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Winter is here…

Winter is here and we all notice and feel it from dark evenings even closer to putting on that cosy pair of socks when you get home. Most of us find it eady to stay at home during these months of the year but some may opt to travel to see relatives and friends during the festive season. Whether staying wrapped up indoors or planning a trip make sure you have followed preacaustios to stay safe when you have your oxygen equipment with you.

  •  Keep your medical oxygen unit at least 8-10 feet away from these heat sources to prevent explosions from the highly combustible concentrated oxyge
  • Chapped lips and dry skin are unfortunate marks of the season. When you’re picking a lotion to replenish parched skin, stay away from petroleum-based ointments. These substances can create violent reactions with medical oxygen, leading to burns around areas of application. Opt for aloe vera, cocoa butter, or water-based products instead, especially for dry nasal passages.
  • But what about spare tanks? Never store them in cabinets, closets or other unventilated areas, next to heat sources, or under curtains, clothing or fabrics. If a cart to store the oxygen tank upright is not available, store tanks flat on its side and safe from rolling. Store empty tanks separate from full ones.
  • Your tubing is prone to cracks when transferring from heat to cold quickly, so tuck them carefully inside of your clothing. Additionally, an abrupt drop in temperature creates damaging condensation in your tank, so bundle your device into a blanket or thermal covering before you step out of the house to retain heat.

If you are planning to travel abroad then OxygenWorldwide offers help when going away with medical oxygen. There is always someone available to contact if you have anything to be questioned or your oxygen tank is not 1000%. The 24 hour service is for our clients and one of our expert team members is always on hand to help.