Traveling with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
July 03, 2024
Who doesn’t love going on vacation? It’s wonderful to leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind – not to mention the stress.
But for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), going on a trip can be more stressful than staying home. IBS symptoms like cramping, diarrhea, painful constipation and urgent bathroom runs can make it a challenge to relax when you’re out of your comfort zone.
Luckily, there’s good news: IBS doesn’t have to ruin your vacation. Check out these five tips to help you while traveling with IBS.
1. Eliminate Hassle
It’s no secret that stress directly impacts our health – and IBS is no different. Elevated stress levels can cause IBS symptoms to flare up, so work ahead to eliminate the most frustrating aspects of traveling and learn to control IBS:
- Book a cruise to streamline the process – lodging, food and activity, all in one!
- Offer to find restaurants – and pick locations with a variety of food options.
- Use a travel agent to coordinate details like flights, transportation, hotel and tours.
- Volunteer to drive so you can be in control of bathroom breaks.
Make sure you build in some time to take it slow – your body needs the recharge. If Monday is packed with activities, plan to spend Tuesday relaxing. Or plan one activity a day and leave the rest open. Vacation is all about relaxing!
2. Prioritize Your Health
When you’re on vacation, one of the best things you can do for your body is to stick with your daily routine. Get a good night’s sleep and exercise daily to minimize the physical stress of traveling. Your body will thank you for skipping late-night parties in favor of a good night’s sleep.
If you're traveling with IBS and symptoms start to appear, don’t be afraid to opt-out of activities. Take a brief break to help your body bounce back – otherwise, your symptoms could worsen and ruin the rest of your vacation.
3. Pack Medication When Traveling With IBS
This is a critical tip – whatever you do, don’t forget to pack your IBS medication when traveling with IBS, especially prescriptions! You can divide your medications into two containers – one to take with you while you’re out and one to stay at the hotel. If you’re vacationing in the U.S., you can always pick up over-the-counter medications to help ease diarrhea and constipation.
4. Stay On Your IBS Diet
Vacation is all about indulging – it’s hard to resist the temptation of delicious local food! But straying too far from “safe” meals can invite trouble. High-fat foods, caffeine and alcohol can worsen IBS symptoms, so make careful choices while out at restaurants. You can even pack your own snacks to ensure you can fuel up with a snack that won’t cause a flare-up.
5. Be Aware of Bathroom Locations
It’s the worst feeling in the world: needing to urgently use the bathroom and not being able to find one. Wherever you are, it’s essential to know the locations of the restrooms. Check out the following tips to help you prepare:
- Accommodations: Book somewhere with a private bathroom.
- In a foreign country: Know how to ask where the bathroom is in the country’s language.
- In the airport: Allow plenty of time to use the restroom between flights.
- On an airplane: Book an aisle seat near the bathroom.
- On the road: Map out rest stop locations along your route.
If you’re planning a trip, talk to your gastroenterologist ahead of time to discuss if you should take any additional precautions while traveling with IBS. With a little bit of planning, the most memorable part of your vacation will be the fantastic sunsets, not your IBS.
