by Kathryn Brown

If you've got wanderlust, don't let asthma keep you at home. You can travel for fun or business just like anyone else.

The trick is to plan ahead. Ask your healthcare provider for tips on travelling with asthma. A few weeks before your trip, spend some time doing the following: Think about your destination. Are you visiting family members who share home and hearth with a cat? If so, think about staying in a hotel - in a non-smoking room. At the very least, make sure the cat stays out of your bedroom. If the cat has been in the bedroom recently, you may notice a worsening of asthma symptoms. Don't sit on upholstered furniture. And keep your medication close by.

If you're seeking sun, remember that warm climates also tend to be humid - which makes them ideal for pollen and mould. If you have allergic asthma, that can mean trouble. If you're travelling to the US, check out the National Allergy Bureau's website for the latest pollen data.

Checking into a hotel? Make sure you get a non-smoking room. If you're travelling overseas, try to find a hotel with air conditioning. You'll breathe best in a clean, cool room.

Check your medication
Stock up on asthma medication before you head out into the great unknown. If you use an inhaler regularly, consider taking two - one could get lost. Keep medications in their original containers and within easy reach, in case you have an asthma attack. (It's a good idea to carry medication on the plane, in case your bags get lost.) Also, keep a list of your medications and dosage schedule in your wallet or purse. If you need oral steroids for flares, pack a course of steroids to have in case you develop worsening symptoms.

If you're travelling to a different time zone, ask your doctor how your medication schedule will be affected. Is it ok to skip a day, to adjust for a time difference? Is it better to keep with your regular schedule, which means taking medication at a different time of day while you're away?

Talk to your doctor
Ask your health care provider to write a brief letter that explains your medical history, medications, and general asthma management plan. Keep the letter in your wallet or purse. That way, any health care provider can get a summary of your health status.

Be sure to get the name of a qualified doctor and hospital wherever you're travelling to. Your health care provider may be able to suggest someone.

Give yourself a check-up
Does your asthma seem under control? If not, now's the time to make changes. Review your asthma management plan with your doctor. Make sure you're avoiding the right triggers, taking the right amount (and kind) of medication, and using your inhaler properly. If you feel fine when you leave, you're likely to feel fine while you're away.