It’s quite common for travelers to experience stomach and digestion issues while traveling, especially if their regular routines are not followed while away. Here are some ways to deal with stomach trouble while you’re traveling, so you don’t waste extra time in the restroom or being uncomfortable.
Don’t Wait
When the time calls to go, make sure you go! Not allowing yourself to have a bowel movement when you need to will only make any stomach issues you’re experiencing worse. Our bodies are on a schedule, and that schedule can be thrown off by traveling, especially over long distances and time zones.
It’s common that digestion issues stem from jet lag. Jet lag throws off your sleep schedule as well as your digestion schedule. If your bowels wake you up, answer the call! Don’t put it off and go back to sleep.
Laxatives
The word isn’t the prettiest, but in a pinch, they can be quite useful. If you don’t feel like your diet has changed a tremendous amount and you’re experiencing stomach troubles, a laxative might be precisely what you need.
Visit a local urgent care to get a prescription for Miralax so you can ease your symptoms. Depending on which pharmacy your prescription is filled out, you can save on Miralax or whatever else is prescribed.
Be sure to take the medication when you’re near a restroom and don’t have anything planned for a few hours. Everyone can react to laxatives differently so consult with your doctor about what you to expect. Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best is a good phrase to live by when taking a laxative.
Drink Water
If you’re not used to tracking your water intake, there’s a good chance that you’re not doing it while you’re traveling. The constant eating out makes it easier to make beverage choices that aren’t water. Why not treat yourself to a soda or alcoholic beverage while away? Or maybe two?
For those who do drink a lot of water, this change, however small it may seem, can wreak havoc on your digestion, most likely in the form of constipation, because your body won’t be as hydrated as it’s used to being. There are some simple ways to get yourself back to a level of hydration you’re used to and ease your digestion troubles.
- Don’t replace water as often when dining out. This will also help save some money on the final bill at restaurants.
- Invest in a refillable water bottle you can carry with you as your travel.
- Purchase a case of water from a local grocery store to keep in your hotel room or wherever you’re staying. Buying a case will ensure you always have a bottle when you leave in the morning and when you return at night, and it’s cheaper than purchasing several throughout the day.
Drink Different Water
However, the water you’re drinking might be the cause of your stomach issues. If you’re traveling abroad and have taken a drunk from the tap, that could be the culprit. This is known as Traveler’s Diarrhea.
If you think you’ve fallen victim to this, make sure you are staying hydrated from a clean source of water. Grabbing a Gatorade or other beverage with electrolytes is a smart choice too. This will help replace the vitamins and minerals you lose from being downtrodden with diarrhea.
Avoid Caffeine
Whether you’re experiencing diarrhea or constipation, you’ll want to eliminate caffeine until your bowels are back to normal. Caffeine contributes to dehydration which is either causing your constipation or is likely a result of diarrhea.
Exercise
Another option to help loosen things up is to exercise. Whether you regularly visit the gym or do passive forms of exercise, that can be helping with your digestion when you’re at home. Ask yourself if your activity level is less than average because you’re on vacation.
If it is lower than average, a quick gym session in your hotel or a walk around the city can help aid your digestion. Couple this with drinking water to get things back to normal.
Fiber
As much as we want to believe that all restaurants use only natural and high-quality ingredients, it’s not the case. Many use frozen and processed foods to meet the daily demand of diners. This means you’re probably eating extra salt, sugar, and other additives you might avoid when eating at home.
Fiber is an excellent option for helping your bowel movements through your colon. You can bring your own fiber-rich snacks with you or purchase them when you’ve arrived. Food items like granola bars and instant oatmeal usually come in varieties with added fiber.
