Dealing with the occasional bout of diarrhea or constipation is never fun, but the worst time to experience digestive issues is when traveling.
“Traveler’s diarrhea is an obvious example,” said Dr. Eamonn Quigley, a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist Hospital. “It is widely believed that gastroenteritis is limited to travel in certain parts of the world with a higher risk of gastroenteritis, but this is not always the case.”
Dr. Quigley points out that diarrhea during travel can happen anywhere and is not necessarily related to an infection, which is certainly something you should be aware of and take steps to prevent.
“Most people don’t realize that constipation is actually the most common gastrointestinal phenomenon when traveling,” says Dr. Quigley. “The number one cause of occasional constipation is travel.”
These aren’t the only two GI problems that come up. You may find that heartburn is more likely to occur when you are away from home. Flying can leave you feeling bloated and gassy. We’re all probably familiar with the nausea that sometimes accompanies a car, boat, or roller coaster.
“Especially when flying, there are several factors that can contribute to digestive issues,” says Dr. Quigley.
“People who are prone to gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea may be more likely to be triggered by these factors.”
An important note is that these factors are also additive, meaning they can combine with each other to make the problem worse. Causes of stomach bugs while traveling include:
Our eating and eating habits often change when we travel.
Outside, we have less control over what and when we eat.
“Maybe we’re eating fewer vegetables and therefore less fiber, which can contribute to constipation,” Dr. Quigley said.
Avoiding overeating as much as possible and maintaining a balanced diet can go a long way toward avoiding these destinations. But that’s not always entirely realistic during travel, especially if you want to enjoy your vacation.
2. pressure
Travel stress can set in soon after leaving home: the worry of missing your flight, the long trek through a crowded airport, the need to go to the bathroom in crowded places where people sometimes sit inches away from you.
“Stress can affect bowel function, which can lead to constipation or diarrhea,” says Dr. Quigley.
Back to that cramped shared bathroom on the plane: The resulting pressure can prevent a person from having a full bowel movement, leading to constipation. Also, when constipated, people tend to focus too much on the situation, which can add to stress and make constipation worse.
Then again, there’s not much you can do – travel can be stressful at times.
3. Dehydration
Dehydration is a risk factor for constipation, but drinking enough water while traveling can also be tricky.
On long trips, going to the toilet can take a long time, or be difficult to get used to in some places, leading to deliberately reducing water intake.
Also, there is not always a water supply when traveling, or the water source may not be safe.
Dr. Quigley stresses the importance of having a hydration plan when traveling, whether that means bringing a water bottle that you can refill yourself or knowing where to buy safe sealed water.
4. Drinking alcohol
“We should be hydrating with water, not alcohol,” Dr. Quigley added. “Whether you’re drinking before a flight or with lunch while sightseeing, know that alcohol doesn’t hydrate you.”
In fact, alcohol can cause dehydration, and remember that dehydration is a risk factor for constipation.
5. Air pressure changes
Experts at Houston Methodist Hospital warned: “Airplanes have pressurized cabins, but they are not fully pressurized.”
“The greater the difference between atmospheric pressure and body pressure, the more the air in the stomach expands, which is why you start to feel bloated when flying.”
Bloating is annoying on its own, but it can also lead to constipation if it persists.
6. Diet before flight
The more gas-filled your meals and drinks before a flight, the more likely you are to experience bloating and constipation.
“Avoid more gas-producing foods, such as onions and garlic, for about 24 to 48 hours before your flight, as they take a long time for your body to fully digest,” advises Dr. Quigley.
Carbonated soft drinks and soda are another cause of bloating. For some people, flying can also trigger indigestion. But because the fluid moves quickly through the body, it’s usually only a problem if you drink it shortly before boarding a flight.
7. Travelers’ diarrhea
Travelers’ diarrhea is a gastrointestinal infection that occurs when a person becomes ill from eating food or water contaminated with viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
The main symptoms are as the name suggests, but when the infection is severe enough, traveller’s diarrhea can also cause abdominal cramping, vomiting, and even fever.
“This is more common when traveling to certain parts of the world where the risk of gastroenteritis is higher and you should investigate before travelling.”
8. The biological clock is disrupted
When travel takes you across time zones, it affects your circadian rhythm and how your body sets and time its internal clock.
“There are diurnal variations in many physiological processes in the body, including colon motility,” explains Dr. Quigley. “At night, our colon sleeps with us. In the morning, our colon wakes up and we see a huge increase in activity.”
But confusion ensues when your internal clock reads 10:00 PM, but your new location is actually 8:00 AM. This may cause gastrointestinal problems.
“Changing your body clock for a few hours is no big deal, but 10-15 hours is a major change that can really disrupt your body rhythm.”
9. Forgetting to bring medicine
This may seem like an obvious thing, but Dr. Quigley points out that forgetting to pack medications you’re taking to treat an existing problem is a common cause of digestive problems while traveling.
“Whether it’s an over-the-counter acid blocker for reflux, a daily oral laxative for constipation, or a prescription drug for colitis, it’s not always easy to find a replacement once you realize you forgot to take it.”
If you are traveling to another country, the brand name of the product may vary and may not always be filled by prescription.
Doctors also point out that people, especially those who are prone to constipation, shouldn’t be afraid to increase the dose of the drug.
“Especially if the person has a history of constipation that has been made worse by travel, we usually advise them to take an extra dose of laxative to prepare,” Dr. Quigley said.
10. Don’t Prepare for Motion Sickness
Motion sickness, sometimes called travel sickness, may not be something that comes to your mind very often, but it can be important to consider when making travel plans, especially if you don’t know how you’ll react to a particular type of travel Causes: Frequent dizziness, Such as a cruise ship.
“It’s not really a digestive issue, but the symptoms may be related to the digestive system, namely nausea and vomiting.
Over-the-counter medications can help with motion sickness, but if you’re prone to motion sickness, there are strategies to prevent it, such as keeping your eyes on the distant horizon while on a boat,” concluded Houston Methodist Hospital for Gastroenterology scientist.
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