Travel Tips

Whether it is a holiday flight, or a day trip to the beach, travel can bring anxiety and stress to your Crohn's or IBD patients. Many wonder, "Why risk getting sick far from the security and privacy of home?"

The key to travel is being prepared for potential problems. Share these tips with your patients. Give them the confidence they need to enjoy their travels.

Before Departing

  • It is easiest to travel when you can take your medication with you and administer it yourself. If your therapy has to be given in a healthcare setting, be sure to schedule your travel between appointments. Otherwise, make advance plans with a physician or a clinic at your destination.
  • Contact your health insurance company about coverage rules while you are away.
  • Pack a "bathroom kit" and carry it with you. Include extra underwear, tissues, antibacterial hand wash, plastic bags and anything else you may need if you encounter a lavatory that is not clean or properly stocked.
  • Carry bottled water so you can always take pills when you need to.
  • Ask your physician's advice about taking anti-motility medication before you leave home.

Bring Needed Documents and Medications with You

  • Keep your doctor's phone number and your health insurance card in your wallet.
  • Carry a statement from your physician, summarizing your medical history and medications (1).
  • Carry all prescriptions with you in their original pharmacy bottles. Do not expose them to extreme temperatures or sunlight. Keep them dry.
  • Pack enough medications for an additional day or two beyond your trip, in case of unexpected delays on the way home.
  • Have written, back-up copies of all prescriptions (1).

Know How and When to Find a Doctor

  • Ask your doctor for a list of physicians in the cities you plan to visit (1).
  • Ask your doctor to write out a plan of action for you, in case your condition worsens while you're away.
  • Danger Signals (1). Contact a physician immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
    • High fever (1), and shaking chills;
    • Profuse bloody diarrhea;
    • Severe abdominal pain and/or abdominal distension, especially with abdominal tenderness or nausea and vomiting;
    • Fainting or dizziness when standing up;
    • Marked decrease in urine.

Have a Strategy for Each Mode of Travel

  • By Air (2)
    • Make your seat reservation when you book your flight. You will likely want an aisle seat near a lavatory.
    • Remember that there are long periods during take-off and descent-for-landing when passengers are not allowed to use the lavatories. Plan ahead.
    • Check with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for the most current information before traveling with medication (www.tsa.gov).
  • By Bus (2)
    • Call ahead to be sure your bus will have a lavatory on board.
  • By Car (2)
    • Research your travel route, and plan a route along well traveled roads. Remember that most fast food chains, supermarkets, and "big box" hardware and home furnishing stores have free parking and public restrooms.
    • If you are anxious about the drive, pack a book or sewing project to distract you from worrying.
    • Share your concerns with your traveling companions. Be sure they understand that you may unexpectedly need to stop quickly and find a rest room.

Precautions to Avoid Traveler's Diarrhea

If traveling to exotic or developing countries, all travelers are at risk for GI/bowel problems. People with IBD need to be especially careful.

  • Be vigilant about clean water. Drink only water that has been boiled, or bottled mineral water, even when brushing your teeth (2). Avoid noncarbonated beverages such as ice tea and fresh juices. Skip the ice cubes. Don't swallow water when swimming and showering (1).
  • Avoid raw vegetables or salads (1).
  • Never eat prepared food, such as potato salad and canapés (1).

Ways to Remedy Traveler's Diarrhea

  • Drink plenty of fluids preferably lukewarm or weak tea. Avoid ice cold beverages, sodas or citrus drinks which could aggravate diarrhea. Avoid foods that tend to aggravate diarrhea such as milk products and greasy foods (3).
  • As you improve, stick with bland foods such as bananas, crackers and plain rice (3).
  • If your diarrhea is caused by bacteria or a parasite, it may be best to let your body flush it out (3). Ask your physician's advice before taking anti-diarrhea medications (1).

This information is intended for healthcare professionals only.


References

  1. Traveling with IBD. (2006). Available at: http://www.ccfa.org/living/travel?LMI=2.0. Accessed June 19, 2006.
  2. Traveling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (2003) Printed by Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada. Available at: http://www.ccfc.ca/English/info/brochures/Travel_with_IBD_E.pdf. Accessed August 10, 2006.
  3. Diarrhea. NIH Publication No. 04-2749. From National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (October 2003). Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/index.htm. Accessed June 21, 2006.
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