2023-08-08 04:00:13
Having a few days of vacation is essential to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Gastrointestinal infections are one of the main reasons for medical consultation.
From the change in barometric pressure to the excessive consumption of food and drinks are causes of traveler’s diarrhea.
Enjoying a few days of relaxation and rest offer multiple health benefits. Breaking with the work routine is one of the keys to reducing accumulated stress and fatigue levels. At the same time, there are also some problems that may occur during the holidays such as the traveler’s diarrhea
According to Dr. Eamonn Quigley, who is a gastroenterologist at the Hospital Houston Methodist, it is generally thought that stomach problems are limited to travel in certain areas of the world where the risk of gastroenteritis is high, but this is not always the case. In fact, diarrhea can occur anywhere and is not necessarily related to an infection.
“Most people don’t realize that constipation is actually the most common gastrointestinal phenomenon that arises while traveling. The number one reason for occasional constipation is travel.
What is traveler’s diarrhea?
It is a type of gastrointestinal infection that occurs when a person becomes ill while on vacation from consuming food or water contaminated with a virus, bacteria, or parasite. In addition to the main discomfort, it can also cause abdominal cramps, vomiting and even fever.
The digestive system seems particularly sensitive to travel and related activities. But why? And are there steps you can take to ensure that your bowel movements stay regular and your stomach stays calm during a trip?
10 Causes Behind Traveler’s Diarrhea
There are several things that can lead to digestive problems while on vacation. Being away from home and discovering new places offers many satisfactions but also increases the risk of constipation and other Gastrointestinal disorders.
1. Diet changes
Our diet and eating habits often become different than usual while traveling. Outside the home, we have less control over what we eat and when we eat. We could treat ourselves to snacks and desserts more often while on vacation.
2. Stress
Travel stress can start soon after you leave home. From the anxiety caused by the possibility of missing your flight, to walking long distances through a crowded airport, to needing to go to the bathroom in places full of people who are sometimes sitting inches away from you.
3. Dehydration
Being dehydrated is a risk factor for constipation, but drinking enough water while traveling can also be tricky.
Bathroom breaks can take a long time on a long road trip or be difficult to fit in certain places, leading to purposely drinking less water. Also, a water supply is not always available while traveling, or the source of the water may not be safe.
Dr. Quigley stresses the importance of having a hydration plan while traveling, whether it’s bringing a water bottle that you can refill yourself or knowing where to buy safe, sealed water.
4. Alcohol consumption
“We must hydrate with water, not with alcohol. Whether it’s a pre-flight drink or lunch between sightseeing, know that alcohol is not hydrating.”
In fact, alcohol is dehydrating, and remember, dehydration is a risk factor for constipation.
5. Barometric Pressure Changes
Aircraft have pressurized cabins, but they are not fully pressurized. The greater the difference between the pressure of the atmosphere and that of your body, the more the air in your stomach will expand, and that is why you will start to feel bloated while flying.
The bloating is annoying enough on its own, but if it persists, it can also contribute to constipation.
Now is a good time to point out how the factors add up to each other, especially with certain types of travel. For example, flying is often a triple whammy: stress, dehydration, and pressure changes that are a recipe for experiencing constipation while traveling if you’re not careful, especially if you’re prone to it.
6. What you eat and drink before a flight
Carbonated soft drinks and sparkling waters are another cause of bloating. Some people can also trigger indigestion while flying. But since liquids pass through the body quickly, they’re usually only a problem when consumed shortly before boarding a flight.
7. What you consume during the trip
When visiting a city or country for the first time there are many expectations and it is natural to want to try new dishes for the first time. In all cases, it should be done in moderation to reduce the risk of suffering gastrointestinal infections.
8. Disruption of the biological clock
When travel takes you across time zones, it can affect your circadian rhythm, as well as how your body sets and times its internal clock.
9. Forgetting to bring medicines if there is a previous gastrointestinal problem
It may seem obvious, but Dr. Quigley points out that forgetting to pack the medications you take for an existing problem is a very common way to end up with digestive problems on a trip.
If you are traveling to another country, the brand names of the products may differ, and filling prescriptions is certainly not always possible.
10. Not being prepared for motion sickness
Motion sickness, also sometimes called travel sickness, may not be something you think about often, but it may be important to consider when making your travel plans, especially if you don’t know how you’ll react to a specific type of travel it causes. frequent dizziness, such as cruise ships.
Also read:
Frequent Traveler Syndrome, what is it and how to avoid this disorder?
Acute infectious diarrhea, third cause of urgent consultation in Mexico
WHO publishes health alert for Paracetamol in contaminated syrup: This is how you can identify it
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