Bowel problems on vacation are not uncommon. The causes are varied, but they can be quickly identified and remedied. We'll tell you how!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTESTINAL PROBLEMS ON VACATION:
THESE ARE THE CAUSES
Life can be so beautiful—and sometimes so difficult: One moment you're happy that your long-awaited vacation to Mexico is finally here, the next you're lying in your hotel bed with stomach cramps and intestinal problems . What's going on?
If you haven't contracted a gastrointestinal virus before your departure, you may well be suffering from travel-related intestinal discomfort . In addition to the widespread travel sickness , which often affects the stomach, there are unfortunately also intestinal complaints that tend to plague vacationers.
The causes are extremely diverse , which sometimes makes self-diagnosis difficult. Typically, unfamiliar foods, preparation methods, or spoiled food cause stomach and intestinal problems.
For some people, however, intestinal discomfort may be due to travel stress . The body then needs time to adjust to the new location. Stress-related symptoms, in particular, usually subside on their own two to three days after arrival .
Sitting for long periods in an airplane, car, or train can also put strain on the intestines. This causes the intestinal walls to be constantly compressed .
Foods, spices and food ingredients that cause intestinal problems in many people include:
- hot spices like chili
- highly processed sausage and meat products
- Raw meat
- Raw fish
- heavy and unhealthy fats from fried or industrially processed foods such as fries, schnitzel, burgers, mayonnaise, lard, etc.
- and often also: Very sugary desserts
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The classic symptoms of traveler's bowel problems include a feeling of fullness, cramps in the lower abdomen , and often unpleasant flatulence . In the worst case , constipation or severe diarrhea can also occur [1].
It's important to distinguish between the gastrointestinal tract and the gastrointestinal tract . While stomach problems can occur on vacation, they are usually accompanied by other symptoms .
These include nausea, cramps in the upper abdominal area and sometimes vomiting .
In both cases, or in combination, mild sweating may also occur. This is usually due to the body having to work very hard to process the stressful situation or to quickly get rid of the indigestible food.
Lying in bed with bowel problems during a long-planned summer vacation is never pleasant, of course. However, there are a few hacks you can use to quickly find relief .
1. Movement
Exercise is especially helpful if you suffer from constipation and mild cramps . Light exercise like a slow jog , Pilates , or a ten-minute yoga session stimulates your metabolism—and thus also sluggish digestion.
If you suffer from bloating, constipation, or flatulence, it's worth focusing your workout on your abdominal area . Your abdominal muscles then press against the inner walls of your intestines. This gives your intestines a kind of massage and can stimulate them to expel food residue.
2. Heat
If you're a woman, you've probably already had this idea yourself! After all, the good old hot water bottle helps with abdominal cramps during menstruation . But its effectiveness doesn't end there: For the hot water bottle, a cramp is just a cramp. This means that it can also effectively relieve stomach and intestinal cramps .
You don't actually need a travel hot water bottle for this. If you can't find one despite your best efforts, it's sufficient to fill a heat-resistant container (such as a glass bottle) with hot water, seal it tightly, and place it on your stomach.
But be careful : Be sure to wrap a towel or piece of clothing around the bottle to avoid getting burned!
3. Tea with mint, chamomile or ginger
Good old chamomile tea, of course, shouldn't be missing from this list—nor should mint tea and ginger tea. All three teas have a stimulating effect and stimulate the production of digestive juices .
The tea's high temperature also stimulates your digestion and has a positive effect on your well-being. Another benefit: Especially in cases of diarrhea, you regain the water you lose . Therefore, herbal teas have been considered absolute heroes for all those suffering from gastrointestinal problems for many years.
BRAINEFFECT HACK: Our HAPPY HOLIDAY BUNDLE is the perfect gut support for your vacation. It contains the popular berry drink DAILY GUT with 9 billion live bacteria cultures for your digestion, both in a can and in 7 convenient individual sachets . A great preventative measure for an extended barbecue session!
The best remedy for intestinal problems on vacation deserves its own section: "Prevention ." Your intestinal health shouldn't be addressed until you start experiencing problems.
Quite the opposite: Ideally, you should take care of keeping your microbiome and gastrointestinal tract healthy every day . In addition to a nutrient-rich, balanced, and high-fiber diet, you can also rely on so-called "probiotics." These tiny living microorganisms colonize your intestinal flora and thus compensate for deficiencies [2].
Alternatively, you can also support your gut with a so-called "symbiotic ." This includes our product GUARD .
The small capsules contain not only healthy bacterial cultures , but also carefully selected nutrients such as calcium or vitamins B6 and B12 .
GUARD thus provides ideal support for balanced digestion and also serves as a useful travel preparation. While calcium supports the work of your digestive enzymes , vitamins B6 and B12 contribute to the normal function of the immune system .
Both are extremely important because the intestines are not only responsible for digestion, but also for the production of important mood hormones and part of your immune system [3].
You've probably already guessed: Our motto is " Healthy gut, happy life." Only by bringing your gut into balance every day can you reduce your risk of digestive problems or unpleasant bowel issues while on vacation.
Bowel problems on vacation are an unpleasant, yet very common, issue. The causes often include unusually processed or seasoned foods .
In addition, prolonged sitting during the journey or stress and excitement can also lead to diarrhea, constipation, flatulence or cramps .
Fortunately, most of these symptoms can be easily managed with gentle exercise, warmth, or stimulating herbal teas . Stress-related symptoms usually disappear on their own after a few days.
However, the basic principle is: prevention is the best and most reliable way to avoid intestinal problems on vacation . This is best achieved with probiotics or symbiotics like GUARD .
The healthy bacterial cultures provide ideal support for your digestive tract, boosting both your mood and your immune system .
SOURCES
[1] Riddle, MS; Connor, B.A.; [...]; Ericsson, CD (2017), Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of travelers' diarrhea: a graded expert panel report, Journal of Travel Medicine, Volume 24, p. 57-74, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28521004/ .
[2] Davani-Davari, D.; Negahdaripour, M.; [...]; Ghasemi, Y. (2019), Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications, Foods, Volume 8, Issue 3, p. 92, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6463098/ .
[3] Clapp, M.; Aurora, N.; [...]; Wakefield, S. (2017), Gut microbiota's effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis, Clinics and Practice, Volume 7, Issue 4, p. 987, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/ .
