Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.
Travelling is a wonderful way to explore the world, immerse yourself in new cultures and spend quality time with family or loved ones; it shouldn’t be an occasion that causes worry or concern. If you suffer with a digestive health condition, then travelling may feel daunting, and the thought of being away from your home comforts might deter you from booking, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
With some careful planning and preparation, travelling with dietary restrictions can be enjoyable. In this guide, we look at some of the top ways you can manage your digestive issue, so you feel comfortable and at ease, keep reading to find out more.
Top tips for Travelling with a Digestive Condition:
- Pack accordingly
- Get to know your surroundings
- Inform your holiday companions
- Plan your diet
- Stay hydrated
- Make sure you have adequate insurance
Pack Accordingly
Travelling with a digestive condition means that you may have to pack slightly differently and a little more planning may have to go into the amount of clothes you are looking to take.
When choosing what to pack, it is worth taking an extra set of everything, take a few extra outfits in case of emergencies, this way you will have a little extra peace of mind should your digestive condition flair up. Alternatively, do some research on where you might be able to wash your clothes if you are travelling for a long period of time, for example, cruise ships and some holiday resorts will have their own laundrettes that you can use for a small fee.
Get to Know Your Surroundings
As mentioned above, getting to know your surroundings and doing your research on the area you are choosing is especially important if you have a digestive condition or any medical condition for that matter.
When planning your upcoming holiday and looking at destination and hotel options, then make sure you consider the local surroundings, is there a medical centre or pharmacy close by should you need it, are there local amenities close by if you don’t want to leave the comfort of your hotel complex and finally, is the weather going to be suitable and tolerable, it is worth considering if extreme weathers and temperatures are going to affect your condition.
Inform Your Holiday Companions
It is likely that your holiday companions will be aware of your condition, especially if they are friends or family. If, however, some of the people you are travelling with are not aware, then it might be wise to inform them. Making sure all members of the travelling party are aware will make it easier should there be emergencies and they will better understand should you need some down time or want to rest.
Plan Your Diet
For those with a digestive condition, your diet, even when not on holiday, is crucially important and something that must be carefully considered. When going on holiday or planning to travel, make sure you look closely at the restaurants that you might be looking to visit and make sure there are eateries or shops nearby that can accommodate you and your requirements, this will allow you to manage your digestive health whilst travelling.
If you find cafés, bars or restaurants that you like the look of and have options that suit you, then it is wise to make some bookings prior, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a table.
When planning your meals when away from home, it is important to try and stick to your normal routine; digestive conditions often react badly to change, so try and keep your diet as balanced and normal as possible, as well as keeping your mealtimes as close to normal as possible. If you often eat a lot of fruit and vegetables and have a gluten-free diet, then try and stick to this to avoid upset.
The blog Just For Tummies has written an article about travelling with digestive conditions and avoiding constipation and recommends eating plenty of fibre whilst you’re away, commenting: “Eat plenty of fibre – it helps add bulk to your stool, allowing for easier passage through the digestive tract. Dietary fibre is typically found in the likes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you’re not eating enough fibre, it can slow down your bowel movements, and in some cases, make them hard and uncomfortable to pass. Set yourself up for success by packing snacks that will boost your fibre intake.”
Stay Hydrated
It goes without saying, even when you aren’t on holiday, that keeping hydrated and drinking enough water is important for a healthy body and mind, but especially important if you are planning to go to a warm location or want to do lots of walking or exercise. Make sure you take your own refillable water bottle; you can buy foldable and small ones should you wish to always have one on you.
It is, however, important to check that the water in the country you are visiting is safe to drink, if not, make sure you are buying water when you are at restaurants or near a shop. Also, try and avoid ice as this is usually frozen tap water and can cause issues like travel diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Make Sure You Have Adequate Insurance
Even if you are travelling without a medical condition, making sure you have adequate insurance will keep you covered and offer peace of mind in the case of an emergency or travel interruptions. Here at Medical Travel Compared, we have a range of insurance cover options, including cover for digestive conditions like Crohn’s Disease and Gallstones, as well as over 65 travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions, so you are bound to find the right cover for you.
If you are planning to travel soon and suffer from a digestive condition, then hopefully this guide has given you a little insight into some of the ways you can manage it whilst away from home. For more article like this, make sure you explore our travel blog.