Many of us live life on the go, including travel for business and pleasure. UC doesn’t have to cancel your travel plans if you do some extra planning before you leave. Here are some strategies you may want to consider before your next trip, from Tracie Dalessandro, a registered dietitian with IBD, and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).
Traveling with ulcerative colitis
- Ask your doctor for the names of doctors in the cities you plan to visit
- Bring enough medication to last your entire trip
- Always carry your medication with you on the plane
- Ask your doctor for a typed statement describing your medical history and the drugs you are taking, in case customs officials question you or an emergency arises
- Get copies of all prescriptions, including foreign brand names and generics
- Find out in advance whether buses and trains have toilets. When making airline reservations, request an aisle seat near a bathroom
- Give the airline advance notice so it can accommodate your diet needs, or bring a snack of your own
- Keep your doctor’s phone number and your insurance card in your wallet
- Ask your health insurance carrier whether your policy covers foreign travel, as well as previously diagnosed chronic conditions
- Stay properly hydrated
Make an ulcerative colitis emergency kit
UC can flare up despite all the precautions you may take. That’s why it’s best to be prepared for a UC emergency by keeping some basic necessities in your car, desk drawer at work, or any other place you spend lots of time:
- Wet wipes
- Pocket tissue packs
- Extra pair of underwear
- Extra change of clothes
Planning for those “can’t miss” moments
Special occasions should inspire excitement and fun, not anxiety. Taking your medication as your doctor has prescribed, along with a little planning, can help you make sure UC won’t get in the way.
- Call ahead to facilities like theaters and concert halls to find out about accommodations you may need
- For concerts or theater performances, get seats on the aisle
- At wedding and banquets, ask what’s going to be on the menu and when food will be served
- Arrive in time to find facilities you may need and connect with someone who’s in charge to arrange access, if need be
- Have an exit strategy, just in case
Many of these suggestions may seem to be common sense, but they can also be the starting point to help you come up with your own “action plan” for special events. Don’t hesitate to include others in the planning. Once someone knows the situation, they’ll appreciate the heads-up you are giving them and should be happy to help make sure special moments don’t become stressful moments.
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