Holiday Travel With Asthma or COPD: What to Plan Before You Go

Holiday travel should be fun and joyful, bringing time with family, a change of scenery, and a welcome break from your routine! But if you live with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it can also bring questions about managing medications, transporting equipment, and staying comfortable away from home.

A little preparation can help you anticipate challenges and keep your respiratory care on track. Whether you’re driving across Florida or flying somewhere colder, here’s what to discuss with your care team and plan before you depart.

Before You Leave: Talk With Your Pulmonologist

Bring up your travel plans early, especially if you use supplemental oxygen, plan to fly, or will visit a high-elevation destination. When possible, allow several weeks to review your needs and make arrangements.

Contact your pulmonologist if your breathing has changed, you’re using your reliever medication more often, or you’ve recently had a respiratory infection, flare-up, or hospitalization. Your care team can help determine whether your condition is stable enough for travel or whether you should postpone until you’ve recovered.

Share where you’re going, how you’ll get there, and what activities you have planned. Ask whether you need an appointment, testing, updated prescriptions, or changes to your written care plan before departure.

Prepare Your Medications and Equipment

Make a checklist before packing so you have time to request refills and replace missing supplies. Bring enough medication for your entire trip, plus extra in case your return is delayed. Keep medications in their original labeled containers and carry them with you rather than placing them in checked luggage.

Depending on your prescribed treatment, your checklist may include:

• Daily medications and inhalers: Check expiration dates and remaining doses before leaving.
• Your prescribed reliever inhaler: Keep it within easy reach throughout the journey.
• A spacer: Pack one if it is part of your inhaler treatment.
• Nebulizer supplies: Include your device, prescribed medication, tubing, mouthpiece or mask, and cleaning supplies as directed by the manufacturer.
• Oxygen or other respiratory equipment: Bring prescribed supplies, charging cords, and appropriate batteries or power adapters.

If you’re unsure what you need, ask your care team or equipment supplier to review your setup. Continue treatment as prescribed, and discuss medication timing if you’ll be crossing time zones.

Plan for the Journey

Contact your airline, cruise line, train service, or other travel provider well before departure if you need respiratory equipment, oxygen, or assistance getting around.

Useful questions include:

• Can I bring and use my specific medical device during the trip?
• Are medical forms, a clinician’s letter, or advance approval required?
• What are the battery requirements, and will electrical power be available?
• How do I request wheelchair assistance or help with boarding?
• What arrangements are needed for oxygen during connections and at my destination?

If you use oxygen, coordinate with both your care team and oxygen supplier. Air travel requires specific planning: you may be able to use an appropriate portable oxygen concentrator, but you cannot use personal compressed-gas or liquid-oxygen tanks on commercial flights. Confirm the airline’s requirements for your device, paperwork, and backup batteries before traveling.

Aircraft cabins have less oxygen than at sea level. Some people with lung disease may need an assessment for in-flight oxygen even if they don’t routinely use it at home, so ask your pulmonologist what is appropriate for you.

Think About Your Destination: 3 Quick Tips

1. Consider how your surroundings may differ from home, from cold, dry air to high humidity, smoke, or air pollution. Even strong fragrances can trigger asthma symptoms, and pets, dust mites, and mold may also be concerns, depending on your individual triggers.
2. Before booking accommodations or staying with family, ask about smoke-free spaces, pets, and sleeping arrangements. If fragrances affect your breathing, ask your hosts to avoid scented candles, air fresheners, and strongly fragranced products during your visit, or choose accommodations that help limit exposure to your known triggers.
3. Check weather and air-quality forecasts, and leave room to adjust outdoor plans. If you’re heading to the mountains, discuss the elevation with your pulmonologist beforehand. Higher elevations may require additional planning for people with breathing problems.

 

Keep Your Care Plan Close

Keep a printed copy of your medical information with your medications, along with a copy on your phone. Include:

• Medication names, doses, and instructions.
• Medication allergies.
• Your clinician’s contact information.
• Prescriptions or documentation for medical equipment, when needed.
• Your personalized asthma or COPD action plan.

Before leaving, make sure you understand what to do if symptoms worsen, when to contact your care team, and when to seek urgent or emergency care, and identify nearby medical facilities at your destination so you don’t have to search while feeling unwell.

Severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, or blue or gray lips or skin warrant immediate emergency medical attention. Follow your emergency instructions and call the local emergency number rather than waiting for a routine office response.

We’re Here to Help You Prepare

Your travel plans and respiratory needs are unique. At Lyracore, we’re here to help you understand your condition, review your treatment, and prepare for changes to your routine.

If you have questions about traveling with asthma or COPD, contact us to schedule an appointment before your trip. We’re here to address your concerns and guide you ahead of time, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday travel and season!