Travel
Sometimes the fear of not being in control of your symptoms may keep you from taking advantage of life’s most exciting adventures. When planning trips or outings — whether they be two weeks or just one day — remember that you can enjoy yourself by following a few simple guidelines.
Take control of the situation
Planning ahead can make a big difference in how your travel plans turn out. A little work in the beginning can mean a lot more fun along the way.
Tips for planning your trip:
- Find a gastroenterologist in the town or towns you will be visiting. Your regular gastroenterologist can help you locate a gastroenterologist in the cities you will be visiting.
- Make sure you have enough medication. Call your gastroenterologist and ask for a refill of your prescription.
- Always carry your medication with you. If you are traveling by plane, pack your medication in your carry-on bag.
- Request an aisle seat on the plane, train or bus so you have easy access to the rest room if you need it.
- Talk to your gastroenterologist about a plan of action in case you experience a flare-up while away.
- If you like to take day trips, keep a "Crohn’s survival kit" handy. Your survival kit should consist of:
- Your medication
- Phone numbers of your gastroenterologist and pharmacist
- Some bottled water
- Your favorite book, CD or game to keep you occupied and relaxed during long car, train or plane rides
Keep your survival kit in a convenient place where you can just grab it on your way out the door.
Eating and drinking
Eat and drink with care when you travel in order to avoid symptoms that can spoil your trip. To avoid diarrhea symptoms, stay away from the following foods and beverages when you are traveling:
- Tap water — instead, drink bottled mineral water
- Noncarbonated beverages, such as iced tea and fresh juices
- Alcohol
- Ice and ice cream, raw vegetables and salads, and raw or uncooked meat, fish, or shellfish
- Uncooked dairy products, unless you’re sure they’ve been pasteurized and prepared under sterile conditions
- Food from vendors’ carts
- Prepared food such as potato salad and canapés
- Food that has been allowed to sit until it reaches room temperature
Danger signals
Just because you’re having fun doesn’t mean you stop paying attention to the signals your body is giving you. While taking precautions and managing your symptoms through proper treatment and lifestyle changes can help you avoid complications, you should remain vigilant about your health even when you’re on vacation.
Contact your gastroenterologist immediately if you experience any of these danger signals:
- High fever and shaking chills – may represent a bacterial inflammation that may require intravenous antibiotics.
- Profuse bloody diarrhea – could represent a bacterial inflammation that may require intravenous antibiotics.
- Severe abdominal pain or distention could indicate a complication, especially if accompanied by severe abdominal tenderness or nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness on standing up or an episode of fainting may indicate low blood pressure. The cause may be a malfunction of the adrenal gland, which may mean your steroid dose needs adjustment.
- Scanty, concentrated urine may indicate dehydration.
Next: Well-being
