Travel Tips to Manage IBS
If you travel on a regular basis, either for business or
pleasure and suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you
will want to avoid the flare ups as much as possible.
If you rarely travel because of the fear of having an IBS
episode, perhaps these 10 tips will help.
1. Relax. Stress will irritate your digestive system, and
cause your IBS to flare up. Give yourself lots of extra time to
get to the airport. Start packing 2 days before you leave so
there are no last minute packing errors. Remember to buy
appropriate toiletries for air travel.
2. Consider your method of travel. It
may be easier to take a road trip rather than flying. However,
if you are flying, make sure that you are sitting in the aisle
and are close to a restroom. This not only gives you a feeling
of being prepared, but also allows you to feel in control,
which will prevent stress.
3. Know the available pit-stops. If you are driving, you
should pay attention to how close each service station is, as
well as where you would be able to stop if needed. This will
help if your digestive system begins to flare.
4. Be prepared with lodging. Try to avoid staying in an
accommodation that has a shared restroom. You may also want to
see if you can arrive early or leave late.
5. Bring your medication. Always have your
medication on hand when you are traveling. If
possible get an extra bottle to carry in your suitcase so that
you can have one bottle in your purse or pocket.
6. Know how to reach your physician. If you run into
problems during your travels, have your physician's number in
hand. You may also need to make sure that you have a cell phone
that will allow you to access your local area without extra
charges.
7. Be prepared for refills. If you run out of prescription
medicine while on your travels, make sure that you have the
refill documentation on hand to get more medication. If
traveling outside your home country, know what the requirements
are to refill a prescription in the country you will be
visiting.
8. Know what to expect overseas. If you are traveling
outside of the United States, be prepared for different types
of restrooms. You should know how to ask where the restroom is
in the local language, and be prepared for things such as pay
toilets.
9. Bring the right foods. If you know that you have IBS,
then you may also already know which foods will
irritate your digestive system. You can help
to prevent IBS during your travels by avoiding the foods
that irritate your symptoms.
Remember that any water that you are not used to drinking
can easily cause digestive upsets even in people without IBS.
Carry bottled water as well as bringing a bag of snacks
that you know will not aggravate your condition.
10. Think of the best and prepare for the worst. By planning
ahead on what you need, you can easily enjoy travels and your
vacation. The major consideration is to make sure that you have
the necessary means to prevent your IBS, and being prepared to
react in case it does.
Those with IBS are often hesitant to travel. However, you
can enjoy your travels by being well prepared. Try not to
get stressed by trying to fit too many things into your
vacation or business trip.
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