Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammation of the lower end of the digestive system, including the large bowel and rectum. Having ulcerative colitis (UC) shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a well-earned holiday.
When heading off on holiday, it does require some advanced organisation, to allow you to come back feeling relaxed and well-rested; instead of more stressed than when you left. In this guide, I provide some top tips, to make sure you enjoy your well-deserved holiday.
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Priorities and Planning
Holiday Type and Location
Think about your priorities when planning your holiday. For many people with UC, being able to access a toilet is a major consideration, so wild camping or extreme trips to remote areas may be inappropriate for you.
Check Your Hotel Amenities
Don’t take it for granted that hotels in every country will have their own bathroom – check with your travel provider in advance. If you’re taking medicine that needs to be kept refrigerated, take it with you in a cool bag or vacuum flask, and make sure the hotel can provide safe storage in a fridge.
Food Options
It’s also worth considering the catering that will work best for you. For instance, if your diet is limited, would you be better off at a destination where the food is similar to that you can access at home? Would self-catering be a more suitable option? Can the hotel accommodate your dietary needs?
Up-To-Date Vaccinations
Make sure you have all your travel vaccinations up to date. Some medications for UC can affect your immune system, increasing the chance that you will become seriously unwell if you get an infection. Speak to your practice nurse at least 2 months before you travel.
Things to Think of When Flying
Fit-To-Fly Certificate
If you have had surgery to remove part of your colon, or if you have other health complications, it is essential to check with your healthcare provider whether flying is safe for you. You may need a 'Fit-To-Fly' certificate, from your GP or consultant, which confirms that it is medically safe for you to fly.
READ MORE: Fit-To-Fly Certificates
Pack Your Own In-Flight Meals
If you’re on a low-residue diet, let your airline know. Consider packing a supply of food which you know is unlikely to worsen your symptoms in case you find yourself in situations where appropriate food is limited.
Travel Kit
Pack a travel kit with essentials such as a change of underwear/clothes, a plastic storage bag, wet wipes, and toilet paper – and take a small rucksack so you can take this out with you while you’re away.
Potential Flare-Ups
There is some evidence that people with UC can experience flare-ups of their symptoms in the month after they fly. It’s not clear if this is just due to changing air pressure and oxygen levels on planes, or how much of a part an altered diet on holiday plays.
Medications and Prescriptions
Repeat Prescriptions
Order your repeat medications well in advance from your GP practice. Take a copy of your repeat prescription with you and pack your medicines in your hand luggage in their original packaging.
Doctors Letter
If you’re using enemas, you’ll need a letter from your doctor to allow you to take them on board in your hand luggage – there may be a charge for this. This requirement also applies to any liquid, cream, or gel medications with a volume of more than 100ml.
Non-Prescription Medications
You may need to stock up on non-prescription medicines (such as anti-diarrhoea medication or rehydration sachets). Be aware that some medications readily available in the UK – including some that can be bought over the counter in pharmacies – may be banned or restricted in other countries.
Research Your Destinations Restricted Medications
Always check the website of the embassy of the country/countries you’re travelling to for details of restricted medications. The most common medications affected are strong painkillers, but they aren’t the only ones.
READ MORE: Travelling with Medication
Contact the Home Office Drugs Branch
If you use controlled drugs such as some codeine-based painkillers, contact the Home Office Drugs Branch – you may need a personal licence to take these drugs abroad. Your pharmacist can let you know if any of the medicines you take are controlled.
Medical ID
Steroid tablets mustn’t be stopped suddenly – this can make you severely unwell. If you take steroid tablets, get a card from any pharmacy or a MedicAlert bracelet from the MedicAlert Foundation. This means emergency services will be aware of the need to check the medicine you take.
Other Considerations
Increased Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
If you have ulcerative colitis, you’re at higher risk of having a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a clot on the leg that can travel to the lung. The likelihood of DVT is slightly increased by air travel, so it’s particularly important to take steps to reduce your risk:
Stay Hydrated
Maintain your intake of non-alcoholic fluids and avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration, which occurs when your body loses more fluid than it takes in. This dehydration can make your blood thicker and more difficult to circulate, increasing the risk of various health issues.
In-Flight Exercise
Exercise your calf muscles regularly during your flight – most airlines include details of exercises in their in-flight magazines. Get up and walk around the aircraft cabin regularly – you might want to request an aisle seat, which will also make it easier if you need to get to the toilet.
Avoid Sleeping Tablets
Taking sleeping tablets on a flight, often means you don’t move at all, which can put more pressure on your calf muscles and increase the risk of a clot forming.
Compression Socks
Consider graduated compression stockings (from your pharmacist) during flights.
READ MORE: Why Do We Wear Flight Socks?
Purchase Comprehensive Travel Insurance
It is vital to buy comprehensive travel insurance before embarking on your journey, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition like UC. A good travel insurance policy can provide peace of mind by covering unexpected medical expenses that might arise during your travels, such as hospital stays or emergency treatments.
When choosing a policy, ensure it includes protection for medical emergencies, repatriation, and trip cancellation or lost luggage. Take the time to read through the policy details carefully to understand what is covered and what is not.
Make sure you are upfront about your medical condition to avoid complications with any potential claims. This transparency is crucial, as failing to disclose a pre-existing condition could lead to declined claims.
Ultimately, having the right travel insurance can turn an overwhelming situation into a manageable one, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about unforeseen medical expenses.
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Travelling with a medical condition such as ulcerative colitis requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Essential steps include thoroughly researching your destination before you book, securing the necessary medications and prescriptions and maintaining awareness of increased health risks like deep vein thrombosis.
Additionally, purchasing comprehensive travel insurance tailored to your specific health needs is crucial for peace of mind. By taking these proactive steps, you can protect your health and focus on the richer experiences that travel can offer, making your journey both safe and memorable.
For more articles like this, make sure you explore our blog and guides.
Get a quote“Pre-existing” refers to any medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before applying for a travel insurance policy. For some conditions, we'll need to know if they have ever been present, whilst, for others, we need to know if they occurred within a certain period
We'll ask you a series of questions about the medical history for you and any travellers on your quote. If you answer yes to any of these, you will need to tell us more about that condition. This could be a condition that a traveller has now or has had in the past. This makes it easy to know what you need to disclose.
If you are not sure what conditions you need to declare, we have online support available to help you 24/7!
It’s easy to tell us about your medical conditions! After you've provided your trip details and answered some medical history questions, you can add your pre-existing conditions, one by one, for each traveller on your policy. You'll only need to enter your details once; it's all online, and there's no need to call or provide details of your conditions in writing.
No, we are unable to provide cover that excludes any of your pre-existing medical conditions.