At this time of year people travel far and wide to visit friends and families and although Crohn’s Disease is a difficult disorder, you should not keep yourself from living the best life possible because you suffer from this disorder. You should continue in your life as you would without Crohn’s, although a few more precautions may be necessary when traveling, this will ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Below is just a little bit of advice. If you are planning a big trip, speak to your local doctor first.
The first thing you should do, whether you are traveling abroad or close to home, is locate a doctor in the area you will be visiting. There are several organizations available to help in your search or you can simply ask your doctor for referrals or best yet, good old Google!
If you are taking prescription medication, you should be sure to take plenty for the duration of your trip. You should also keep it with you when you travel on the plane to avoid it being lost like luggage can be. Always keep your medication in its original container and carry a typed statement from your doctor regarding what medications you are taking and what they are for. You will also need to get copies of all of your prescriptions, including foreign names, in case you have to refill them abroad. However, you should avoid this by carrying enough medication with you, as filling prescriptions in other counties can sometimes be difficult.
A common ailment among travelers to less developed countries is known as “traveller’s diarrhea”. This can be especially dangerous for sufferers of Crohn’s Disease and special care should be taken to avoid it from occurring. Basically, traveller’s diarrhea occurs from the ingestion of water or food that is not as stringently processed as in more developed countries. Steps that should be taken include being very careful about what you eat or drink; do not drink water unless you boil it; avoid drinks made from tap water, like tea or juices that may have been mixed from concentrate; use bottled water to drink and to brush your teeth with; avoid ice, ice cream, and uncooked fruits, vegetables, and meat; avoid diary products as they may not be pasteurized; and do not eat any questionable food. If you become affected with traveller’s diarrhea, take an over the counter medication and be sure to intake plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Also watch for signs of a medical emergency, such as high fever or chills, which may be a sign of infection; profuse rectal bleeding; extreme abdominal pain; dizziness; or dehydration. If any of these occur, seek medical attention immediately.
Following these basic rules will help you enjoy your travelling more as a lot of the stress and worry associated with travelling with a condition such as crohn’s will be taken out of your trip.
Happy travelling!!