Many a times on account of various factors such as unfamiliar foods, change in time zones, lost luggage , new environment etc, travelling and constipation tend to go hand in hand. Constipation when travelling is also on account of the stress that may accompany travelling especially in the case of those who travel frequently. Medical research has shown thatconstipation while travelling can be attributed to the change in the circadian clock of the body which in turn affects the regularity of the bowel movements.
Constipation
Obviously, you would not want to spend your holiday or business trip feeling uncomfortable and bloated on account of constipation. So here are some easy to follow constipation travel trips that would help combat that constipated feeling while travelling.
1) Drink Plenty of Water:
One of the main triggers for constipation when travelling is dehydration. So to avoid constipation while travelling make sure you always consume clean drinking water frequently throughout the travel. Alternatively ensure that you stay away from alcoholic or caffeine-rich beverages as they tend to aggravate the dehydration.
2) Physical Activity:
Although you may be on a holiday and would be looking forward to relax and unwind, do try to squeeze in some amount of exercise in your daily schedule. This is essential to keep constipation at bay while travelling.
3) Diet Modification:
One of the ways to avoid constipation while travelling is to increase the intake of fibre rich foods such as nuts , cereals , vegetables and fruits as these act as binders and promote regular bowel movements.
4) Visit the Bathroom when Needed:
Many a times, we try to avoid going to the bathroom and postpone it for a convenient time while we are travelling. This should be avoided and you should go to the bathroom when you feel the urge to and even then don't rush yourself. Rather , you should allow yourself a few minutes of undisturbed time in the bathroom.
5) Medications:
Sometimes inspite of taking all the necessary precautions to avoid constipation while travelling , you may still end up being constipated. In such cases, the last resort would be to take gentle over-the-counter laxatives. While doing so you need to ensure that you do not consume these laxatives too frequently while travelling this may hamper the absorption of certain essential nutrients. Quite often individuals who travel often are also known to become dependent on the consumption of laxatives to deal with constipation which is harmful to their overall health.