Get your tummy Right When On Your Vacation

Keep your tummy in check

Taking care of your digestive health while on vacation is so important. Diarrhea, constipation, indigestion and gas are not only embarrassing, it can turn a great trip into a quick disaster. Although they're a bit disgusting, I’m going to share two of my rather embarrassing travel experiences with my tummy. These are two examples of why I make sure to carry digestive health meds and other items to ensure my gut health is taken care of while on vacation.

Death diarrhea

I went to New Orleans to visit a former dog sitting client who became a dear friend. I planned this trip a while before my visit and I was excited to be going to New Orleans for the first time. However, my back pain was getting unbearable. You see, I had issues with my back since my twenties until one night it got so bad I had to get some medical attention. My L1 was deteriorating and I needed surgery for it. At any rate, nothing had been scheduled. I was hobbling around in pain, but I was determined to go and have a great time in the Big Easy.

When in New Orleans, one of my closest friends passed away. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Then my uncle died unexpectedly as well. Rough all the way around. What's worse, my friend's memorial was going to be earlier than scheduled. I tried to get home early, but I got a super saver airline ticket (the mainstream airlines answer to Frontier and Spirit Airlines’ ultra cheap fares) and I would have needed to buy the equivalent of a new ticket and pay twice as much to change my itinerary. I missed the memorial.

Despite my hobbling around and two people in my life passing away, I really loved my vacation in New Orleans. The friend I was staying with made me feel at home and the city itself is filled with wonder. Great food, inspired music and the people are absolutely welcoming. I had the most amazing conversations with strangers whom I felt like I knew for years.

Now it was time to go home and I was on the plane. On my way home, I contemplated my trip and all the things I had to do when I got home. Then my focus was on the two people I lost. Reminiscing about the good times and all the memories I had with my loved ones who were now gone was a bit overwhelming. I wept quietly trying not to full-on ball out loud and make a scene.

I felt my stomach bubble up and I thought I had a little gas. Not gas, diarrhea! When a loved one dies, it's some of the most intense stress a person can endure. It also works havoc on your body. I got what I call “death diarrhea,” the nastiest unrelenting diarrhea a person can experience. I won't gross you out anymore, but you get the point.

I ran to the plane's bathroom and I was a mess. I had to throw away my underwear and clean myself up with airline bathroom paper towels that felt like sandpaper. I went back and forth only to struggle in the tiny airplane bathroom. Three hours of disgust and embarrassment.

Don't go to bed unprepared

My second bout with the dreaded diarrhea was coincidentally on my second trip to New Orleans. A couple years had passed since my first trip and I was feeling good. My back was repaired by an amazing surgeon. After rehabilitation and exercise, I could now walk upright.

Prior to New Orleans, I had a 30-day vacation to Europe that was a complete success. I was confident about going to New Orleans this time.

It was a fabulous trip except for one snafu. I went to a great restaurant on Bourbon Street and enjoyed a delicious lunch. I got a bit greedy and ate a dozen grilled oysters on the half shell. I'm used to fried oysters, but these were grilled in butter and Parmesan cheese. Rich and tasty.

Like clockwork, the diarrhea came when I got back to my friend's shotgun house. I thought the diarrhea ran his course by the time I went to bed. Well, it didn't. I woke up in a puddle of diarrhea! Yeah, in the bed! I jumped out of bed in horror. Not the best idea. I took off my night clothes, cleaned myself up, stripped the bed, cleaned the floor and took a shower.

Thank goodness the friend I was staying with had a washing machine so I was able to get everything properly cleaned. I dreaded telling my friend about what happened. With great relief, we laughed about it and she gave me an Imodium. Problem solved.

Take away

Although I got through those minor disasters, it could have been much worse. Had I been on a long distance flight, it would have been a nightmare. With no underwear, using airline paper towels to clean up and running back and forth to the restroom would have made a long flight achingly longer.

If I was in a hotel room instead of my friend's home, it would not have been good either. I would have had to strip the bed with no washer machine to cover the crime. With no washer machine to clean my clothes and no disinfectant to clean the floor (which hotel rooms are usually carpeted by the way = harder to clean) it all would have ended up a total mess. Not to mention the embarrassment, frustration, and time consumed in the entire experience.

If I had Imodium or some other anti-diarrhea meds on either of my vacations, all of my troubles could have been avoided. These types of meds work in about 30 to 60 minutes easing all of your diarrhea troubles. If you're prone to constipation or gas, get your meds accordingly.

Always make sure you consult with your medical provider before taking any medication including over the counter meds to make sure they don't adversely interact with any medications you are currently taking.

In addition, this is why you should have clean clothes packed in your carry-on bag. I also carry compressed towel tablets with me whenever I’m away on a trip.

With compressed cotton towels you just need a little water to get to their full size. These towels are absorbent, and sturdy enough to clean up a variety of messes. These towels are extremely handy whenever you’re on the go. Most important, they are a heck of a lot softer than airplane paper towels rubbing against already sensitive skin.

I've most definitely learned my lesson. Whenever I travel I take digestive health meds with me. Learn from me, do everything you can to enjoy your trip and don't waste time being constipated, gassy or in my case, waking up in a puddle of diarrhea.

My lovely friend Yvonne and me on a bayou tour outside of New Orleans

Yvonne and me at Oktoberfest in New Orleans