Maintaining Prime Condition: Homebound Travellers Urged to Rest Every Two Hours and Maintain Medication Discipline

Thorough physical preparation is the key to ensuring smooth Eid holiday travel for homebound travellers. Dr. Waluyo Dwi Cahyono, a specialist in internal medicine, has reminded travellers, particularly those using private vehicles, to ensure their bodies are in prime condition before embarking on long journeys.

Waluyo stressed the importance of disciplined rest management. Driving for extended periods without breaks can diminish concentration and increase the risk of accidents due to fatigue.

“When driving, you must rest every two hours,” said Waluyo. According to him, these rest intervals are crucial to allow drivers to restore concentration and maintain stamina during travel.

Beyond fatigue, eating habits also warrant attention. Travellers are advised against overeating, which can trigger drowsiness or digestive discomfort. They should maintain measured food portions and not push themselves if their bodies feel fatigued.

“Do not overexert yourself and consume measured amounts of food,” said the doctor, a graduate of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Faculty of Medicine.

Special Attention for Diabetic Travellers

For travellers with chronic conditions such as diabetes, Waluyo emphasised the importance of medication discipline. The dynamic nature of holiday travel often disrupts routine schedules, but for diabetic patients, this can be potentially fatal.

“If they consume medication, even whilst travelling, they must continue taking it,” he stressed. This discipline must be accompanied by timely eating to avoid the risk of hypoglycaemia, a condition characterised by dangerously low blood sugar levels.

He explained that eating times must be adjusted according to the medication’s duration of action. “If the medication works for eight hours, then meals must be taken every eight hours. Otherwise, hypoglycaemia may occur,” he added.

Regarding food types, Waluyo noted that diabetic patients can essentially consume all food types. However, the key lies in strict portion control according to individual caloric requirements.

In conclusion, he reiterated that safety remains the paramount priority. Travellers are urged to heed their body’s signals. If fatigue sets in, stopping briefly at a rest area is far wiser than pushing oneself merely to reach home faster.