Travelling with IBS
Travelling is one of the most favorite people’s habits. Exploring new places, sharing new experiences, gives you a unique feeling of freedom away from the everyday stress and routine.
“In America 25 -45 million, people suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrom (IBS)”. IBS is a disorder that affects your bowel with symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, or both, and abdominal pain that can appear at any time of the day and last more than two days. That number means 2 to 3 women. “Worldwide that statistic is 10-15%.”
To control Ibs you are under medication just to ease your symptoms (not to go away) and follow a strict diet.
“47% of Canadians with Ibs spend more than $150 per month on their treatments”
Imagine traveling by bus and suddenly you get strong abdominal cramps, cold sweat, and the need to use the toilet immediately. What will you do then? And how will you feel?
Traveling with IBS can be tricky, uncomfortable, exhausting, and overwhelming with emotions that everything is gonna be bad. But, we cant run away forever, as hard as it is. So in my vacations, I concentrate to be very careful with my diet to avoid an outbreak.
I follow a low fodmap diet (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols). It is not easy especially in countries that are not aware of this disorder. Eating at a restaurant means no onions, no garlic, no sweets, very few amount of gluten if you are lucky, lactose-free diary products, only a few fruits, and vegetables in specific amounts too, 29ml of alcohol and much more…
With all these as my guide, I’m trying to control my system and so far I had achieved it, at least on my vacation days. My routine is to wake up 1 and a half hour before going out because is very common to have morning pains. Eat my breakfast according to my dietician’s diet program and wait for a while if I have any bowel movements. If not I’m ready for strolls and city tours. My lunch and dinner are based on very detailed research at online menus. A night out is constantly overthinking, I’m not gonna lie. I know that I said only 29ml of alcohol is allowed, but we are humans and I couldn’t say no to a good vodka mojito, once in a while. Reminds me how carefree life was some years ago.
That’s my travel routine and I know how difficult it is for you to think about going outside your house or go to work, travel, but we can’t live behind bars forever. It’s nice to share our thoughts even if is good or bad because you are not alone.
“…patients reported they would give 25% of their remaining life to live symptom-free.”
But we are fighters and we are travel girls!
DO NOT lose faith because you may give hope to someone else just because you hold on.
I’m here for you and you’re here for me”
Find me on social for a“Hi! I’m here!”
Statistic infromation extract from the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
