What is traveler constipation?

In addition to popular travel events such as the change of time zones and the occurrence of tropical diseases in European countries, the journey may also be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation. What is a traveler's constipation and what to do with it?

Traveler Constipation Statistics

Constipation may not be as common a problem as changing time zones, but depending on the source of research in the press they write that about 10-15% of travelers suffer from this ailment. Moreover, constipation can last for many days, even after returning home.

However, constipation is not only accompanied by traveling to different continents, it can occur even when walking for short distances. The following are the most common causes of constipation.

Long journeys

In the case of long journeys, especially long flights, constipation usually occurs as a result of changes in circadian rhythms. Often changes are better tolerated when moving from east to west than from west to east, and often constipation does not require medical intervention, because the rhythm of defecation can occur spontaneously in 2-3 days.

Usually, a long journey is also accompanied by dehydration and prolonged bed rest - both of these factors contribute to constipation and pharmacological support may be necessary, therefore travel portals usually recommend having a first aid kit in the first-aid kit to relieve bowel movements.

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Too little liquid

Quite often, travel is accompanied by a lack of fluid. That man drinks. Often there is a reluctance to drink enough liquid on the road, for fear of too frequent urge to urinate - in fact, the reluctance to drink may be due to some inconvenience to passengers.

Adequate water content in the stool is a prerequisite for proper conformation and defecation. Those who receive too little fluid can be almost sure that they will subsequently get constipation, the doctors do not mention other unpleasant consequences of insufficient fluid intake.

Lack of physical activity

Another factor contributing to the proper formation of the chair is physical activity - walking or running. During a trip it is difficult to move - even if it is just a trip to some nearby foreign country - unfortunately, we have to spend several hours in a car or train, and this, of course, does not help the bowels work.

During long trips, especially for several days, an additional element that negatively affects the work of the digestive system is low fiber content - in order to prevent constipation, you need to take a bag full of vegetables for the journey.

You must step up your activity. This does not mean that you need to immediately run to the gym and pour all the liters of sweat there. The easiest way to strengthen the abdominal muscles - is feasible exercises to strengthen the abdominals. And it is very important if you want to get rid of constipation. As for physical activity, you really need to master the bike, practice jogging, or, eventually, go for a normal walk. It is important that we listen to our body and move in moderation.

[2], [3], [4], [5]

Diet change

Traveling is often accompanied by a change in diet, which can also be a cause of constipation. The emergence of new products in the diet, perhaps those to which a person is allergic, or if a person is just used to them, can also cause constipation. The gastrointestinal tract can then take several days to tune in to a new situation.

We must focus on finding the causes of frequent constipation. As a rule, we owe it to ourselves. More and more we eat, using the services of fast food, the greater the likelihood that we have earned these problems ourselves. Therefore, you can not eat too much fat and heavy dishes, meat and cabbage.

What should I do to reduce the risk at home or even completely eliminate constipation?

Well, first, let's change the diet. We have to make our menu food that contains a large amount of fiber. You can also take drinks in the form of juice, in addition, you need mineral water, which we should drink a lot. In no case, however, can not take soft drinks. If we are able to add to each meal in say, tea, raw vegetables and fruits.

Use of all types of slimming and laxative teas

The problem is that they are only good a few times. When your body gets used to them, and you need them to drink more and more, it is not very good. In addition, the intestinal tract is filled with laxative drinks, and can no longer function normally without them. So it is better to take care of the body without such an additive.

Psychosomatic barriers

For many people who travel with constipation - this is a problem with psychosomatic diseases - defecation takes place depending on the rhythm of the day. And if you just can not go to the toilet, which meets the standards of hygiene, it may happen that a few hours later we find a normal toilet, and the intestines refuse to cooperate. The digestive system in this respect is quite autonomous and usually difficult to adapt to the rhythm of change.

Often we are really dealing with a patient whose mind is very difficult to adapt to other sanitary and hygienic conditions. Such people can sometimes tolerate for a week, and sometimes there is a big pause in bowel movement, just to avoid using another toilet. After this mode of defecation, returning to a normal bowel movement can be very difficult to achieve.

[6], [7], [8], [9], [10]

Journey for a few days

It helps a lot when a person disciplines himself to drink enough liquid, the absolute minimum is 1.5 liters per day. Nevertheless, for people who have had these problems before, doctors recommend using drugs for easy emptying - laxatives.

If the disorder is functional rather than long, the situation should be quickly normalized when using this product, as a rule, even a single dose is very effective. If, however, despite these recommendations, the constipation persists even after several days, if the person continues to eat the wrong diet and not go to the toilet if necessary.