Crohn’s disease is a long-term disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and abdominal pain. These symptoms can make some aspects of international travel challenging for a person with Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease is kind of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

People with IBD, including Crohn’s disease, may have certain fears related to international travel. One Interviewing people with IBD reported that 30% of people said IBD restricted their travel and 40% said it affected their choice of travel destination.

There are a number of things a person can do to remove some of the stress associated with traveling with Crohn’s disease.

In this article, we will outline some things that a person should consider before traveling. We also offer tips that can help make international travel less stressful.

A person with Crohn’s disease may fear that they may not be able to get expert medical care when they need it when they travel abroad.

One way to get rid of this fear in advance is to identify specialized doctors who are in the place or places that the person is going to visit.

A person can contact the. turn around International Association for Medical Aid to Travelers (IAMAT). The aim of this organization is to minimize health risks for travelers. It can provide members with a list of English speaking doctors in different countries.

A person may also want to contact the United States embassy or consulate in the country they are planning to visit. These organizations should be able to provide a list of doctors and health care providers that a person can use when needed.

According to Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Foundation, some embassies and consulates can even provide the names and information for local specialists.

If a person has Crohn’s disease they may find flying stressful as they need to have regular access to a toilet. Here are some strategies:

On the plane

A person can try to book a seat on the aircraft that is in the aisle. This means that they don’t have to constantly ask someone to stand up when they use the toilet.

They may also want to book a seat as close to the aircraft toilets as possible.

At the arrival

Also, finding bathrooms overseas is something people may need to consider.

There are a number of things a person could do to make this easier, including:

  • Learning how to say certain words and phrases in the country’s native language to make it easy to find and access a bathroom
  • Download translation apps to your smartphone to facilitate communication
  • Purchase of pocket electronic translators to facilitate communication

A person may also want to travel with a number of things that can be helpful in certain situations. These include:

  • a personal supply of toilet paper
  • soothing wipes
  • Anoint
  • Plastic bags to dispose of or store contaminated clothing
  • additional change of underwear and clothes
  • Bottled hand sanitizer small enough to pass airport security

It is very important that a person with Crohn’s disease travel with their prescription medication and bring enough to make it through their entire journey. You should take the medication as directed throughout the trip to avoid a flare-up of symptoms.

Here are some more tips about prescription drugs:

At the airport

The Crohns and Colitis Foundation recommends people with Crohn’s disease request a typed and signed statement from their doctor describing their medical history. They state that this can be useful when customs officers ask why the person is traveling with medication.

It is advisable to take medication with you on the plane in hand luggage. This ensures the person has their medication with them even if the airline loses their checked baggage.

Traveling

A person may want to bring a pill box so they can carry smaller amounts of medication with them throughout the day. This way you can keep the rest of the medication in the original packaging in a safe place if you run out.

A person with Crohn’s disease may need to visit a medical center overseas while traveling. This means that it is a good idea for travelers outside of the United States to make sure they have health insurance that will cover them in a number of situations.

A person may want to purchase an insurance package that covers:

  • Visits to the emergency room
  • Visits to doctors and other health professionals
  • Prescription drugs
  • other medical services they may need

The Foundation for Crohn’s Disease and Colitis IBD Help Center can help provide a person with a list of international health insurance sources.

Find out more about Medicare Advantage and international travel here.

It is important that a person with Crohn’s disease is prepared and knows what to do in the event of a medical emergency. You could share this information with the people traveling with you.

This contains:

  • Receive a written plan of action from your doctor outlining what to do if your condition worsens during your absence
  • Before you travel, find out about toilet access and whether buses and trains are equipped with it
  • Inform the airline of your condition prior to travel so that staff can cater to any nutritional needs and provide assistance in an emergency
  • Have your doctor’s information with you at all times, including your phone number
  • keep your insurance information with you at all times

Find out what to do if you have Crohn’s disease here.

Airport screening and security can be stressful for someone with Crohn’s disease.

It is legal for a person to take ostomy supplies through security checkpoints at airports. It is important that a person with an ostomy alert security personnel so that they can act accordingly. They are trained to deal with it sensitively and to respond to people’s medical needs.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides information to travelers with medical conditions on his website. The TSA can also offer downloadable medical cards for those with special medical needs. A person can then show this card to security personnel to warn them that it may need special verification.

A person with Crohn’s disease may need to carry liquid medications or supplements that contain more than 100 milliliters, 3.4 ounces. This means they should have a written statement of need from a doctor or the TSA to make sure they can pass through security.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Traveller’s diarrhea is the most predictable travel-related illness. The CDC states that it affects between 30 and 70% of travelers, depending on where and when they travel.

People with Crohn’s disease are more likely to get it diarrhea because of their condition. This means they may want to take a number of steps to help prevent diarrhea while traveling, including:

  • avoid drinking tap water
  • If you need to drink tap water, boil it first
  • only drink bottled mineral water
  • Using bottled mineral water to brush your teeth
  • do not let shower water get into your mouth
  • do not swallow water while swimming
  • Avoid ice in drinks
  • do not eat raw vegetables and lettuce
  • do not eat raw meat, fish or shellfish
  • do not consume unpasteurized, uncooked dairy products
  • do not eat food from a street vendor

Treat traveler’s diarrhea

If a person with Crohn’s disease develops traveler’s diarrhea, there are a few things they can do to relieve the symptoms, including:

  • drink plenty of safe fluids
  • take extra salt, which can help prevent dehydration
  • Taking over-the-counter medication for diarrhea after consulting your doctor

You can find more tips on how to treat diarrhea quickly here.

Here are some practical tips that can help a person with Crohn’s disease:

  • Arrive early at the airport: If a person arrives 2-3 hours before their flight, they should have more time to go through security and use the toilets several times before boarding the plane.
  • Have change ready: Some airports in other countries may charge small fees for using public toilets. Having some coins available can make bathroom access easier.
  • Got an “I can’t wait” card: These cards contain language and information that can help a person with Crohn’s disease gain instant access to a bathroom. This can help explain why there is a medical need for that person to be the first in line for a bathroom. It can also help a person to use a staff-only toilet in an emergency.
  • Pack foods that don’t make symptoms worse: Abroad, a person may not always have access to the types of food they can tolerate. It can be a good idea to pack some food and snacks so that you have an option if you are stuck with certain foods.
  • Bring spare clothes: It is advisable to pack spare underwear and clothing to change in an emergency. A person should also pack plastic bags to store contaminated clothing in.
  • Pack extra medication: A person should pack extra medication so they don’t run out if they lose some during their trip. It is also worth taking all medication with you in hand luggage so that you are not left without medication if the airline loses its luggage.

Here is a checklist of things a person with Crohn’s disease might want to take on international travel:

Crohn’s disease can mean a person needs to do more to prepare for international travel. A person with Crohn’s disease may be afraid of finding toilets, being on a plane for long periods of time, and how foreign cuisine could affect their symptoms.

You may also be concerned about finding medical help abroad in an emergency.

A person can do a number of things to make traveling easier. You can find information from healthcare professionals in the area they will be traveling to. You can also pack according to your situation and bring spare clothes, plastic bags, hand sanitizer, snacks and your own personal supply of toilet paper.

It is also important that a person with Crohn’s disease take out the correct travel insurance so that they are covered for all eventualities.