More and more people are heading home for the journey. What common illnesses might one encounter on the road? What preparations should be made? With Spring Festival travel trains often being extremely crowded, how should one help others and perform self-rescue in an emergency? Yesterday, a reporter specially consulted with doctors to create a "Spring Festival Travel Health Guide" for everyone. For those about to set off, please bring this guide with you.
Spring Festival Health Guide: Self-Help
Emergency Situation: Motion Sickness
Countermeasure: Place a sponge pad on the neck
Just after 9 AM yesterday, at the "Spring Festival Medical Consultation" station near the entrance of the luggage inspection area on the second floor of Chengzhan Railway Station, a young husband supported his wife as they approached. They were returning to Tianshui in Gansu province, facing another 20-plus hours on the train, but his wife had already vomited twice on the bus from Jianqiao because of motion sickness.
An emergency department doctor advised that people prone to motion sickness should ensure they get a full night's sleep the day before departure. Avoid eating too much or greasy food; opt for easily digestible meals and take motion sickness medication half an hour in advance.
Additionally, minimize head movement. Placing a sponge pad on the neck can cushion the impact of the vehicle's bumps on the brain and spinal cord. You can also gaze straight ahead into the distance, close your eyes to rest, or listen to music and chat with others to distract yourself. Try to avoid looking at the rapidly moving scenery outside the window. If symptoms like general fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, and pale complexion appear, lie down with your eyes closed and apply a cold towel to your forehead.
Emergency Situation: Injuries
Countermeasure: Carry a small first-aid kit
Yesterday, another traveler seeking help was a man in his 40s whose finger had been cut by a sharp object and was bleeding heavily.
During the rush to catch trains for the Spring Festival trip, with numerous belongings and crowded conditions, travelers often suffer accidents. Young children are even more prone to falls and scrapes.
Therefore, besides keeping a close watch on children, it's advisable to carry medical supplies like iodine, cotton swabs, and band-aids to treat minor wounds at any time.
Emergency Situation: Cardiovascular Diseases
Countermeasure: Move around and drink more water
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common ailments during Spring Festival travel, accounting for over a third of cases.
Elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases face significant risks during travel, as emergencies are likely. This is mainly due to the cold weather during the Spring Festival, which can trigger illnesses, and the anxiety caused by crowded environments, which is also a contributing factor.
Patients with cardiovascular diseases should try to avoid travel during this period. If travel is unavoidable, learn self-rescue techniques. For example, use medication to control blood sugar and pressure, keeping them stable. If you feel dizzy, fatigued, or have palpitations, open a window for ventilation and seek help from nearby friends or relatives. Also, carry emergency medication with you.
Many train passengers are confined to their seats for long periods, remaining sedentary. This also increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Zhou Yidan explained that sitting still for a long time can easily lead to deep vein thrombosis in the legs. If a clot travels to the lungs, it can cause acute pulmonary embolism.
Therefore, passengers on the train should move around more and drink more plain water. Patients with a history of thrombosis should carry relevant medication. Don't just sit; stretch your muscles and bones at appropriate times. Change positions frequently, elevate your legs, or massage your legs from top to bottom to help blood circulation.
Emergency Situation: Travel Psychosis
Countermeasure: Relax at all times
It is understood that during every Spring Festival, there are tragic incidents where passengers, overwhelmed by the crowds, suffer mental breakdowns, hallucinations, and even jump from trains.
Some people traveling often experience insomnia, nervous tension, and chest tightness. After long hours on planes, trains, or ships, some may suddenly develop mental disorders like schizophrenia. In severe cases, a lack of self-control or insufficient help can lead to suicide attempts like jumping from a moving vehicle. Psychology refers to this as "Travel Psychosis."
"This is caused by excessive crowding, high mental stress, the fatigue of travel, and a lack of timely adjustment," a doctor explained. Travelers should not pack their schedules too tightly and should ensure they get enough rest.
He reminded that if traveling with family or friends, chat with them to ease the mind. If traveling alone, read a book or listen to music to relax. Stretch your muscles and take deep breaths every hour or two to alleviate physical and mental fatigue from the journey.
Spring Festival Health Guide: Helping Others
Emergency Situation: Sudden Fainting
Countermeasure: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
During Spring Festival travel, it's often very crowded, and some people may suddenly faint. Therefore, knowing CPR can be incredibly useful.
In a crowded carriage with poor air circulation, travelers with underlying heart or brain conditions are prone to fainting or losing consciousness. In such an emergency, the first step is to stay calm, clear the surrounding area, and move the patient to a safe, open space. If on a train, the aisle is the best place. Then, tap the patient's shoulders. If it's just a simple fainting spell from exhaustion, they usually won't lose consciousness and will wake up after being tapped. If they don't wake up and their face is gray, lips are dry and purple, immediately begin CPR.
CPR is the most effective first-aid method. Its principle is to change the pressure in the chest to restore normal blood circulation. While performing CPR, shout for help to have those around you call 120.
Emergency Situation: Crowding and Trampling
Countermeasure: Crouch down or find a support like a table or chair
With the massive crowds during the Spring Festival, if order is not maintained, trampling incidents can easily occur. Once overly crowded, it's very difficult for an individual to escape being trampled. This is especially dangerous for children, who are prone to injuries and suffocation. Travelers can try to maintain a crouching position to create more space. If you have a child with you, use your body to shield them. Additionally, if there are tables, chairs, or other supportive objects nearby, try to get close to them and find an opportunity to climb on top or use the surrounding empty space.