What causes travel constipation?

1. 74

   breathe2travelposted 13 years ago

   What causes travel constipation?
   
   I know several people who experience constipation when traveling abroad and spend the night outside of their home.  Is this physiological or is there a real physical reason for the constipation?

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2. 61

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 13 years ago

   Do you mean psychological? It is real. I think it is due to a disruption in routine, stress, and insufficient water intake as well as a change in diet.

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3. 61

   edmob1posted 13 years ago

   In the the first instance travel abroard. The disruption of routine along with change in intake liquid and solid. In the second instance you may change your intake only slightly but this may well trigger events throughout the body ie; some poeple have difficulty sleeping when not in their own home this will induce stress on other bodily systems.

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4. 61

   Bonitaannaposted 13 years ago

   Usually, when people travel they do a lot of sitting.  When you sit too long circulation slows down, Not drinking enough water will cause the system to clog up, or slow down.  When people travel they drink less water, as they usually cannot get up and go to the bathroom when the urge comes and being in that situation is scarry, I have been there on a jet airplane especially on take off.  Then you have to hold it, or on a transit bus that has no bathroom, or the subway trains!  Believe me, I always said to my husband when we lived in NY, that many people there must be constipated!  Why, when you are out and about, it is quite impossible to find a bathroom when you need it.  You either have to hold it, or go into a restaurant and order something to use their bathroom.  That is one of the main reasons I will never live in the big cities anymore. It is very unhealthy to have to hold it.  That helps make a sick colon, and a sick person!

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5. 0

   msorenssonposted 13 years ago

   Excitement about a new place, but mostly dehydration. Drink lots of fluids.

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6. 66

   gary dubeposted 13 years ago

   Reduced water intake, less of fibers, more of fatty things and overall disruption of the body rhythm

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7. 84

   peachpurpleposted 13 years ago

   In my opinion, it is physiological reason. I don't this problem though. My kids do. They are used to have bowel movement at home . When they are at cousins house, they will hold on to their poo and let go when we reach home. Hence, constipation occurs. We try to shorten the travelling time or ask them to poo before we leave. Good thing we don't travel abroad.LOL!

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8. 73

   SidKempposted 13 years ago

   All answers below are useful One note I would add: Any new environment is more of a strain or stress, and the body uses up more water when stressed. So, to stay hydrated, drink more water than you would at home. And even more if you are taking in any coffee or tea or alcohol, as all of these contribute to dehydration. To offset excess sitting, walking and gentle stretches are most valuable in relation to constipation. Squatting is also very good, if you know how to do it.

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9. 78

   BizGenGirlposted 13 years ago

   Holding it in - not knowing where the regular bathroom is - squeeze the sphincter too tight... lol

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10. 0

    christin53posted 13 years ago

    It's normally due to a change in diet and different water. Drinking bottled water when away from home might help.

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    1. 68

       artist101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Magnesium is a natural laxative, and will keep you regular. Add this to your travel regimen, along with the above suggestions.

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11. 60

    honeybee2uposted 13 years ago

    Stress and disruption to normal routine meals and type of food may cause this.  Also, if you are traveling difference time-zones, disruption to the body's normal biological clock may cause this.  Drink plenty of water.  Avoid caffeine.  Take sufficient rest before the travel.

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12. 81

    Express10posted 13 years ago

    Dehydration and changes in the person's diet might be the most likely causes. We don't eat the same types of food and usually eat worse than we do at home.

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13. 60

    yssubramanyamposted 13 years ago

    it is common to 99% of people due to less intake of water, sudden change in toilet habit besides psychologically nervous/awareness of fellow passengers.

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14. 59

    JamesGrantSmithposted 12 years ago

    I am not sure what causes it but take Renee or similar and it will really help you in this matter.

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