Traveller’s Constipation is Real, Here’s How to Beat it

Here’s why your butt goes on vacation with you

What happens to your urge to purge on a vacation? (Photo: iStock)

If your butt just shuts down all its business when you travel then you’re not alone. There are some people whose anal canal goes on a complete strike the moment they are away from home. And that can be brutal because being ‘packed up’ does not make you look sexy in a bikini.

(Photo courtesy: Tumblr/@NotTheFunnyPoop)

And then there’s the exact opposite malady where people won’t stop pooping! If constipation ain’t no fun then sitting trapped on the toilet seat with a ‘traveller’s tummy’ or the ‘holiday diarrhoea’ is worse!

The bright side is that both these conditions are normal, treatable and come with a real explanation for why your poop goes for a shit when your schedule changes. So, the next time someone calls you a poop-freak, throw this medical jargon at them:

Here’s Why Travelling Kills Your Urge to Purge

(Photo courtesy: Tumblr/@Poop Pooping Poop)

The exhaustion of travelling or the thought of being away from home - both can mess with your digestive schedule. The changing time zones, skipping fiber, eating junk, missing exercise all contributes to your poop going on a strike.

<p><b>Travelling means that your eating habits have changed. Trying new cuisines or the fact that you’re eating out all the time and having a lesser dose of fiber than usual, can disrupt your bowel movements. Some people also suffer from toilet anxiety - the fear of using public restrooms or the dirty airline toilet can dry out the stool.</b></p>

<b><i>Dr Ashwin Kothari, Endoscopist</i></b>

Make Friends With Fiber, Eat Berries For Breakfast

Go easy on the buffet meals- you don’t have to eat everything there on the platter. Know your body and opt for the oatmeal, curds, fruits, in breakfast if you are prone to constipation. Skip the gourmet high-tea and chew some raw fruits or healthy salads for fiber.

(Photo courtesy: Tumblr/@UCResearch)

Maintain Some Routine

I know, I know, holidays mean you won’t leave the bed till 11am but that’s where the problem starts. If you normally wake up at 7am, then a drastic change in sleep pattern can throw your usual bowel movements out of the window. So go to bed and wake up as close to your regular timings and let the hormones regulate your digestion.

Sips Will Save You

All the walking around, or the weather on a beach holiday can make you extremely dehydrated. So keep a bottle of water handy in your bag - water helps the stool move along the colon.

(Photo courtesy: Tumblr/@UCResearch)

Watch the Caffeine Intake

You don’t realise but on a holiday your caffeine kick doesn’t only come from the cuppa Joe- the teas, chocolates, sodas and the other aerated beverages all make up for an excessive amount of caffeine. It is a known fact that coffee has a laxative effect on 30% people but if you are a part of the unfortunate 70%, then too much caffeine will dry out your natural rhythm.

Coffee makes 3 out of 10 people rush to the loo- but the sensitive 7 might get the Irritable Bowel Syndrome with too much caffeine and struggle with poop (Photo: The Quint)

Related Read: Why Does Coffee Make You Poop?

All The Sun Gazing Can Mean You Are Not Getting Enough Movement

Yes, a luxury villa on the beach front where you spend your morning and evenings soaking in the sun can mean you’re basically being a total wedge! Well, that ain’t no happy news for your poop which needs movement to move along.

A traveller’s diarrhea on the other hand can get pretty serious so don’t leave it untreated. If you’re going on an exotic vacation, get your doctor to write you a just in case prescription of antibiotics - if the tummy runs are too bad and don’t go away in 24 hours, pop the medication as advised. Keep yourself well hydrated and rush to a hospital if the medicines also don’t give relief.

That’s it, carry some stool softeners and other regular first-aid medication.

Cheers to happy travels and launching torpedoes!