Pharmacist's Picks for Top Away-from-Home Health Problems

It's no secret that American women are seriously short on "me" time. So when the time finally arrives for a long-awaited vacation, no one wants to lose a single precious day to an unexpected illness.

Which illnesses do women dread getting when they're away from home the most? A new Harris Poll conducted for Cystex asked 1,254 U.S. adult females what personal health issues could ruin their vacation getaway. Of the 10 possible choices, ranging from cold sores to sunburns, the two illnesses they would least like to have were diarrhea/upset stomach (52%) and a urinary tract infection (31%). Top pharmacists recommend packing a little extra insurance to keep that dream vacation from turning into a travel nightmare!

UTIs-A Traveling Pain: Some travelers develop urinary tract infections (UTIs) through various changes that disrupt urination (not staying hydrated enough, holding urine too long and certain sexual contraception choices). UTIs require medical attention, making it particularly stressful when traveling. Luckily, there are over-the-counter medications that will help the sufferer until they can get medical treatment.

Best Pick to Pack: Over-the-counter (OTC) medication CYSTEX - unlike other urinary analgesics, it not only stops the burning pain, but also contains an anti-bacterial agent that helps keep the infection from worsening until you can get to the doctor. According to Lisa M. Chavis, Registered Pharmacist and author of Ask Your Pharmacist: A Leading Pharmacist Answers Your Most Frequently Asked Health Questions, "If UTI symptoms occur while traveling, I often recommend to my customers CYSTEX as it will help alleviate the pain and slow down the progression of the infection until they see a doctor." It is also noted in her book as the OTC "drug of choice" for UTIs.

Vacations Upset by Stomach Issues: Time spent in the bathroom should be for primping for a night on the town, not because of food poisoning! Common causes of traveler's diarrhea are eating (and overeating) unusual foods and drinks and ingesting tap water.

Best Pick to Pack: While common sense is the best defense (being judicious about what and where you eat and not drinking local water) FLORASTOR, a natural, clinically-tested probiotic, can help prepare one's digestive tract against a possible invasion of the harmful bacteria that cause food poisoning by stocking it with healthy microorganisms to fight off the bad guys. Its ingredient, Sacchromyces boulardii, has been shown in multiple studies to help with intestinal health. New York City pharmacist Martin Keane discovered Florastor when European tourists wandered into his store looking for it. Since then Keane found it to be one of his most successfully recommended products.