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Pancreatitis Travel Insurance

Pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas which causes severe abdominal pain. There are 2 different types – acute and chronic. People with acute pancreatitis can generally improve within a week and experience no further problems. Common symptoms are sudden, severe pain in the abdomen, nausea and diarrhoea. This type is more common amongst middle aged people and the elderly with men more likely to develop alcohol related pancreatitis whereas for women it is more likely to be from gallstones.

Chronic pancreatitis is where the pancreas is permanently damaged from inflammation. The most common symptom is severe episodes of abdominal pain. It is thought that heavy drinking over several years is responsible for 7 out of 10 cases of chronic pancreatitis. Over 35,000 people visited hospitals in England with the condition during 2012 and 2013.

Tips and advice for travelling with Pancreatitis

  • Take care of yourself before you travel. Make sure you stick to non-fatty foods, avoid alcohol and drink lots of water
  • Check the amenities your hotel has to offer - do they have facilities where you can store your own food or consider a self-catering option where a full kitchen may be more useful to you?
  • Be sure to have a supply of emergency food in case eating on the go or the nearby restaurants may cause a flare-up
  • Take enough medication with you including a little bit extra in case of travel delays or lost/stolen luggage
  • Think about learning some useful phrases in the home language so it is easier to explain what your symptoms are and what you need to alleviate the pain
  • If you are travelling to Europe, then it is essential that you carry an EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. You can apply for a free card by following the link www.nhs.uk/ehic

Booking your Pancreatitis Travel Insurance

By booking your travel insurance with Direct Travel we may be able to offer cover to customers with pancreatitis as a pre-existing condition, provided it is declared at the medical screening stage of the booking process. Please have to hand information about your condition, any medication you are currently taking and any treatment you have received. Unfortunately, it is harder to arrange travel insurance if you are awaiting a diagnosis or treatment, depending on which type of heart condition you have. You should also talk to your Doctor / Consultant before confirming travel plans.

To provide peace of mind for patients, a policy which covers family members, and/or a carer may be suitable depending on your circumstances to ensure that everyone is covered appropriately. If, due to complications relating to your pancreatitis you are unable to travel you may be able to make a claim for cancellation. Our policies also provide a 24-hour medical assistance line, expenses relating to ambulance and hospital costs and repatriation to the UK amongst others.