by Summer is in full swing, and for many this means that it is time to take to the street. Regardless of whether you have a short weekend trip or a tour of Europe lasting several weeks, there are some things to consider: Did you pack sunscreen? A telephone charger? And how will you take care of your stomach?
“Patients have problems with stomach problems if they travel because they are exposed to unknown food and water sources, differences in local hygiene and sanitary facilities and changes to the routine,” says Dr. Franjo Vladic, gastroenterologist in the Cleveland Clinic.
Many of these problems arise on travelers who “do not take any logical precautionary measures,” says Dr. Michael Camilleri, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at the Mayo clinic.
How do you protect yourself and your stomach when you travel? We asked experts.
Related: Wait … Can you get a hernia from wearing close pants?
What are the most common gastrointestinal problems related to travel?
Diarrhea of the traveler
According to the centers for the control and prevention of diseases (CDC), the most predictable disease-related illness is traveling diarrhea, which affects between 30% and 70% of travelers during a period of two weeks, depending on the travel time. ”
According to the Health Center at Indiana University Bloomington, it can suddenly and three to five days. In addition, people can experience cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.
constipation
Another frequent digestive disease when traveling is constipation. This is often the result of the change in the routine, “in particular the diet (including fiber and fluid intake)” and “changed mobility due to the restrictions associated with longer trips,” explains Camilleri. When traveling, one could try to suppress an intestinal movement due to inaccessible toilets, but this only worsens the problem.
Other
Other most common stomach problems to which travelers are exposed are changes in intestinal habits, gas, flatulence and digestive disorders, says Dr. Aditi Stanton, a gastroenterologist certified by the board with gastro health in Ohio. It adds that travel can also exacerbate the underlying conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
How can you avoid stomach -intestine pollution when traveling??
consistency
Travel tends to improve regular schedules and habits that the digestive system can devastate. Maintaining a dietary routine can help mitigate this.
“When you are on the road, you will probably eat more, snap Fast food or eat fewer fruits, vegetables and fiber,” says Stanton. Moisture and aiming at balanced meals, she says, and “pay attention to how much alcohol and caffeine you have”.
Plan ahead
If you often suffer from stomach when traveling, prepare a toolkit beforehand. “Bring everything you may need to adhere to your usual routine, and a few” only in case “, says Stanton. In addition to your regular recipes, take into account fiber preparations, probiotics, anti-reflux medication, anti-diarrheal medication or oral rehydratization or electrolyta solutions.
If you have a chronic stomach -intestine disease such as Crohns, IBS, ulcerative colitis or gastroesophagal reflux disease (Gerd), you can best inquire before you are on the go to see whether special preparations are required, says Stanton.
Watch what you eat
Avoid food and water that can be contaminated with bacteria or viruses. This may sound obviously, but recognizing contaminated food is not always easy.
According to Vladic, some of the worst guilty or low -cooked meat, seafood, pre -made fruits and vegetables, untreated tap water and ice cream are made of untreated water.
In order to avoid potentially contaminated foods and drinks, Camilleri suggests eating food that are well cooked and hot, whereby the tap water is not recommended by a “reliable source” not to buy from a “reliable source” without being exposed to the environment for hours, and wash your hands every time you go to the toilet (ideally, do this at home).
