Dr. Cathy Pederson on Travel Tips with POTS
Dr. Cathy Pederson, a neurobiology professor and POTS advocate, shares practical travel tips for individuals with POTS, derived from her personal experiences traveling with her daughter who has POTS. Key strategies include wearing bike shorts to reduce car vibration, using soft pillows in vehicles to absorb motion, staying hydrated, and maintaining medication schedules. For hotel stays, she advises selecting accommodations with elevators and refrigerators, being prepared for emergencies, and requesting special accommodations if needed. For air travel, she suggests booking bulkhead seats for extra legroom, carrying all medications in carry-on luggage, and utilizing services offered by airlines and train companies for individuals with disabilities to ensure smooth travel. Lastly, Dr. Pederson emphasizes planning ahead for any health needs that may arise while traveling and considering travel insurance to cover unexpected medical emergencies. She encourages reaching out to airlines and other transport services in advance for necessary accommodations.