Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Planning Your Trip Carefully
• Method 2 of 3: Follow Your Diet Plan
• Method 3 of 3: Alleviating Symptoms
• Tips

If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), then this is a big problem in itself, but if you go on a trip, the problem can get worse. People with IBS are so scared of being in unfamiliar surroundings, out of their comfort zone, that they avoid travel altogether so that they do not have problems with symptoms. However, with careful planning and preparation, people with IBS can enjoy travel just like everyone else.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Planning Your Trip Carefully

1. 1 Bring extra spare clothes with you. When traveling, be sure to bring extra change of clothing in case the worst happens.
   • If you are traveling by train or bus, make sure to take extra spare clothes in your carry-on baggage (do not put them in the hold) so that you can get them quickly in case of an emergency.
   • Put extra clothes in a plastic bag so you have somewhere to hide dirty clothes in case of trouble.
2. 2 Take your own paper napkins with you. A common problem with public toilets is the lack of toilet paper, so it's worth bringing your own tissue paper or even a roll of toilet paper to use when traveling.
   • You can also carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you in case you run out of soap in the toilet.
3. 3 When traveling by plane, always choose a seat near the aisle. When traveling by plane, it is worth taking a seat near the aisle. This way, if you have a sudden urge to use the toilet, you can get there quickly without having to climb over other people.
   • Also ask for a seat as close to the toilet as possible. If necessary, carefully inform the flight attendant of your health problem and ask if it is possible to change the seat to be closer to the toilet.
4. 4 Travel by car rather than bus whenever possible. If possible, it is better to travel in your own car rather than using public transport. In this case, if you urgently need to use the toilet, you can find a place to stop.
   • While traveling by bus, the driver may not always be able to pull over to the side of the road, so you will have to endure quietly while waiting for the next designated stop.
   • If you do have to travel by bus, make sure you know how long the journey will take and how many times the bus will stop. Thus, you can try to plan your toilet trips according to the stops.
5. 5 Choose a home where you will have your own toilet. If you are staying in a motel or hostel, make sure your room has a bathroom. This will allow you to use the toilet when you need it, without being accommodated by others.
6. 6 Plan where you will eat. Before you travel, it's worth doing a little research to find out what restaurants or grocery stores are available at your destination.
   • This way, you don't have to eat in fast food restaurants where the food is high in fat and low in fiber.
   • If you find that you cannot find suitable food at your destination, then plan to pack and take your own food with you.
7. 7 Learn how to ask where the toilet is in the language of the country you are traveling to. If you are going to another country, whose language you do not know, then it is worth learning in this language at least the phrase "where is the nearest toilet?"
   • You also need to memorize the words "left," "right," and "straight ahead" in order to understand the person's response.
   • The worst thing you can think of is a long and confusing conversation in a foreign language at the moment when you desperately want to use the toilet.

Method 2 of 3: Follow Your Diet Plan

1. 1 Eat a variety of high fiber foods if IBS is accompanied by constipation. Fiber helps the stool pass through the digestive system. It is recommended to consume 20-35 grams of fiber daily to relieve constipation.
   • Most fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. You can also eat any type of grain bread, cereals, and beans. You can eat other foods that you love, but only in moderation.
   • However, do not shock your body with a sharp increase in the amount of fiber you eat, especially when you know that you are going on a trip. Since you have IBS, consuming too much fiber in a short period of time will reverse the effect - that is, instead of constipation, you will have diarrhea.
   • It takes your body enough time to get used to consuming more fiber. You can gradually increase your fiber intake by 2-3 grams per day.
2. 2 If you suffer from diarrhea, eat foods that are easily digestible and avoid fatty, oily foods. One of the most unpleasant symptoms of IBS is diarrhea, which is the main reason why most people with IBS choose to stay at home. If you are going on a trip, then you need to know how to eat right.
   • In the first 24 hours after an attack of diarrhea, it is necessary to eat light and thick food, as it usually stays in the stomach longer. Examples of such foods are plain rice, potatoes, bananas, oatmeal, applesauce, yogurt, blueberries, toasted bread, and baked chicken (no fat and skin).
   • There are also foods that you should avoid before, during, and after. This will save you a lot of trouble. Foods that can worsen diarrhea: Fatty and oily foods, milk, ice cream, butter, cheese, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, artificial sweeteners, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and dirty foods.
3. 3 Avoid foods that can lead to bloating. Bloating is another annoying symptom of IBS, but eating right can usually help.
   • Avoid vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. In the stomach, these foods release sulfur and raffinose, which contribute to bloating.
   • Avoid simple sugars like candy and gum. This is especially important when traveling. Chewing gum can increase your gas intake, while candy and junk food, which is high in empty calories and sugar, feeds bacteria in your stomach. And then the bacteria release more gas. In addition, sugar is quickly absorbed into the small intestine, causing seizures, another symptom of IBS.
   • Stop smoking. Bloating occurs when there is too much air in the stomach. This is compounded when you swallow a lot of air while smoking. Therefore, by giving up this addiction, you can significantly alleviate the symptoms of IBS.

Method 3 of 3: Alleviating Symptoms

1. 1 Take loperamide for diarrhea. This drug slows down intestinal motility. The starting dose of loperamide is 4 mg, which should be taken orally after the first loose stool.
   • You can then take another 2 mg of loperamide if you have recurring loose stools. Never take more than 16 mg of loperamide in one day.
2. 2 If you have constipation, take magnesium hydroxide. This medication works by increasing the amount of water in the intestines, thereby helping to loosen stools. You can take 20 to 60 ml of magnesium hydroxide by mouth, once a day.
3. 3 Take an antiemetic to prevent nausea and vomiting. A good antiemetic is metoclopramide, which must be taken in 10 mg tablets every 8 hours as needed.
   • Metoclopramide relieves nausea and vomiting by relaxing the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to decreased activity in the digestive tract.
4. 4 Take domperidone for bloating and gas. For bloating and flatulence, IBS patients are advised to take 10 mg domperidone tablets three times daily (or as needed) to prevent excess gas formation in the digestive tract.
   • Carminative drugs such as domperidone stimulate the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines to break down and propel wastes faster, thereby eliminating the waste along with the gas.
5. 5 Try herbal remedies to reduce IBS symptoms. There are several herbal remedies that can help ease the symptoms of TFR.
   • For example, drinking just one cup of chamomile tea can help relieve abdominal cramps and cramps as it acts as a muscle relaxant. Fiber supplements can help those who suffer from constipation. You can simply sprinkle a bag of fiber supplements into your meal once a day with a meal.
   • To relieve diarrhea, try eating at least one serving of fruit gelatin or jelly daily before meals to strengthen your stools (but not enough to cause constipation).

Tips

• Traveling with IBS can be challenging, but it shouldn't stop you from enjoying life. By getting the courage, gathering all the information you need, and being well prepared, you can manage your IBS symptoms and keep it from limiting your freedom.