Health & Medical Information

Good preparation and a sensible amount of caution are essential for any type of trip. This is especially true for Arctic travelers who need to be aware of the potential for accidents and mishaps in remote terrain. Though a mostly pollution-free and politically safe region, travel in the Arctic clearly does have its health risks. Quality medical care is generally limited to the larger cities and towns. In the case of serious illness or medical emergency, transportation, cash, insurance, and time are all critical factors.

Sun & Wind

Sunburn and windburn are definite concerns in the Arctic. The relatively flat and exposed landscapes, 24 hour summer days, and the abundance of snow and ice can take their toll on any Arctic traveler. Sunburn from ultraviolet radiation occurs even on cold, cloudy days so bring sunblock. Reflection and glare from snow and ice can cause a temporary, but painful condition known as snowblindness, so sunglasses are recommended especially on glaciers, pack ice, and mountain slopes. Wind is a fact of life in the Arctic and it can cause chafing, dehydration, and fatigue. Windproof clothing, chapstick, and skin cream are all important items to have.

Hypothermia

Perhaps the most dangerous health threat in the Arctic is hypothermia. Cold, wet, windy conditions can sap the body's strength potentially causing dehydration and leading to a lowering of body temperature. The effects of hypothermia are often subtle and difficult to notice at first and it is surprisingly easy to progress from slightly chilled to dangerously cold even if the air temperature is above freezing. Often a first symptom of hypothermia is poor judgment, as lower body temperature results in reduced blood flow to the brain affecting brain function. Other symptoms include: exhaustion, shivering, numbness, slurred speech, and a lack of coordination. The best treatment, of course, is prevention -- remember, it is much easier to stay warm than to try to warm up an already cold body. Dressing in layers, wearing a hat, eating high energy foods, and being aware of conditions are essential. Once hypothermia has set in, the best course is to seek shelter and warmth, replacing wet clothing with dry layers, drinking warm fluids, and if necessary crawling into a warm sleeping bag. Alcohol should be avoided at all costs.

Weather

Arctic weather can be extremely fickle. Conditions often change rapidly and dramatically. In summer, violent thunderstorms can erupt at any time. Snow squalls occur every month of year. Summer temperatures can range from well below freezing to near 100°F in snow-free inland areas (see weather section). Changing weather is more the rule than the execption in the Arctic so it is important, even on short outings to be prepared for anything.

Motion Sickness

Since so much of Arctic travel is by boat or ship and overland trips usually involves rough, unpaved roads, motion sickness can be a real problem for some. For those prone to the stomach jitters, eating lightly both before and enroute is highly recommended. Seek calm, quiet places with fresh air, if possible. Reading or smoking a cigarette might make matters worse. Dramamine is effective but it must be taken 3 hours before a trip. Natural products are also available, but it would be wise to consult a physician.

Promethazine (Phenergan™, Avomine™) now appears to be the drug of choice. It is a phenothiazine antihistamine. It is the preferred drug for NASA astronauts, who suffer microgravity motion sickness, which is reportedly worse than seasickness. Studies have demonstrated that the potential for drowsiness from promethazine is less than that from motion sickness itself. Astronauts are more alert, more attentive and able to perform tasks more effectively when using promethazine than when not using it. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed™) can be used to counter drowsiness when it occurs. Significantly, promethazine also promotes adaptation to motion, so the drug can be discontinued.

Promethazine is versatile. Phenergan™ is available in tablets of 10mg and 25mg, as elixir, as suppositories and for intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) use. Avomine™ is available as scored 25mg tablets, so they can be halved. An initial dose of 10mg or 12.5mg two hours or so before a motion challenge can be followed by further oral doses as soon as symptoms are experienced. A sleeping dose of 25mg on the first night at sea can promote adaptation. When nausea or vomiting develops people want to be lying down, so an IM dose starting at 25mg helps them to sleep in a rolling bunk, relieves their nausea and vomiting and promotes adaptation.

For some regular sufferers of seasickness who have tried everything, promethazine has come as a break-through.

Bears

Of the three species of bear that inhabit the Arctic, the polar bear is by far the most dangerous. They are known to attack and eat humans without provocation. For people visiting remote locations in polar bear territory it is wise to carry suitable protection and know how to use it. Brown bears and black bears, though less dangerous than polar bears, warrant some precaution as well. They can be quite unpredictable, especially if they've become "friendly", that is, accustomed to humans. In forested areas, it is wise to hang food bags and avoid bringing items with strong fragrances into your tent. In the open tundra, pack your food in a strong container and place it well away from your campsite. As with any animal, approaching bears too closely is not recommended and by all means, do not feed them.

Insects

For sheer density and annoyance, bug populations in the Arctic region rival those of the Amazon Basin. During the short boreal summers, wetland bogs, marshes, and ponds become breeding grounds for uncountable masses of biting mosquitoes, midges (no-see-ums), blackflies and gnats. An unfortunate necessity of Arctic ecosystems, these tiny bloodsuckers can be maddening to even the most hardened and experienced Artic traveler. As a rule, it is wise to cover exposed skin and to use effective repellants (preferably with DEET). Head nets, though stuffy and annoying, make sense in extreme cases. Perfumes and colognes should be avoided. If camping, try to find a windy spot away from boggy areas.

Rabies

Caused by a bite or scratch from an infected animal, rabies is found in all Arctic regions except Iceland. Though vaccinations are now available, awareness and caution are generally the best means of prevention. Usually carried by dogs, rabies can become a serious and life-threatening condition if not treated quickly. Bites and scratches should be scrub-cleaned immediately with soap and running water, then with an alcohol solution. This should be done even if the animal is not rabid as infection or even tetanus can result. If there is a possibility that the animal is infected, medical help should be sought right away.

Insurance

Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden provide universal health care for their citizens, with those from other countries paying only minimal charges for medical services (excepting ambulance costs and prescriptions). Even if you are covered by an existing health insurance policy, it is often wise to take out a travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss, and emergency medical problems. Terms and costs vary considerably among providers, so shop carefully. Or, your travel agent can make appropriate recommendations from the range of coverages available. Note that some policies specifically exclude 'dangerous activties' such as kayaking, rock climbing, and white water canoeing, so read the fine print.

Water Purification

Except for Russia, tap water in the Arctic is considered generally safe to drink. As for surface water -- rivers, lakes, streams -- though it may look pure and pristine, treatment is still recommended. As anyone who has had giardia -- an intestinal parasite -- can attest, weeks of stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea are an unpleasant way to spend a vacation. The simplest way to purify water is by boiling, though this takes time and fuel. (Remember at higher altitudes water boils at lower temperatures so boiling times should be longer than the 10 minutes recommended for sea level). The use of iodine tablets and/or water filtration devices is also effective in treating contaminated water.