Constipation on a trip: is it normal

Yes, i feel it is normal complaint. My mother (she learnt from her mother and so on and so forth) used to prepare a lot of dishes as a part of daily food, which contained such fibrous material, it helped all her children to have good digestive system. My in-law who is an excellent physician as well read man, used to tell all of us that after 40, every small or big part of body tend to decay or slowly become non-functional or develops malfunction despite one doing exercises etc. In a normal day, we keep doing some work or the other at home or at office. Whatever food we consume, we are partially or fully able to digest. While travelling, we do not have much exercise (movements) for the body and as a result, it will have some bearing on the digestive malfunctioning. Though there is no serious harm (as I was told), it creates some sort of inconvenience and one would not feel comfortable. It is more so when travelling long distance air travel. To over come, I have my own suggestion which works quite well. 1. Eat fibrous vegetables as part of food 2. Stay on more liquid food during journey 3. more of fruits are much better 4. During car journey take a short break for every 3 hours or so and walk around the place where you stop. 5. I did not see much changes for improvement if I consume medicines for overcoming these constipation problems.

I get constipated too during trips and we just stop somewhere to eat or use the restroom and after a while it will go away. I think this is normal when our stomach needs food or if we have eaten something that doesn't agree with our stomach. :) it's always good to bring some medicines when you're on a trip. have a nice day!

yah! feeling constipated on a trip is normal. Coz you see, and what you eat contribute a lot on your digestion but not what you have mentioned. I think, a lot of people especially when they think of their travel tours or more during their trip, believe it or not, i for one would think of i will ot eat so i won't have a digestion problem to quote that i don't wanna use other's bathroom unless i really wanted to pea or not. Other than that, im really not use of using somewhere elses bathroom. So i make it a point that, i am not going to eat during the trip or i'll have a full stomach before going out of my house. I guess, all of these digestive problems depends on ones' body metabolism. So nothing to worry, for as long as you are not constipated when you're at home then its good. For me it's better not to get in touch with those bathrooms/ restrooms for you not to get any bacteria. right???

This is common or normal. Check out the factors for constipation (which usually happens during a trip): 1. Low fiber diet (commonly found in fast foods). 2. High fat diet (commonly found in fast foods). 3. Not enough liquids. 4. Lack exercise (sitting for hours). 5. Tension (excitement). It is normal to be abnormal sometimes.

I think it's normal. It may be because you body is not used to going to the bathroom in a different place. And yes, I do think potatoes help, because they contain fiber.

I think it can be avoided. It happened to my son, when we arrive at the hotel where we are going to stay, he had to use the bathroom. suddenly my son is crying, He was really in pain, and I pity him. I give him water but of course after awhile its over. I told it to my friend who is a nurse. She told me that when on a trip, we should drink more water. So thats it. You must drink a lot of water.

i think its normal, same thing happens here. its probably due to the change in diet

Hmmm...interesting...if you eat less vegetables than usual, and drink less water...I would think it could cause a problem. Other than that...I have never heard of this before.

Fries actually do the opposite for me. There's a word for this experience (the same thing happens to me). I always have this - even visiting a friend or family member. Its terrible.

It is the same with my wife. Each time she travels on a train, she would later suffer from constipation for a few days. It has nothing to do with the food, but the travel. It is strange and we cannot figure out the reason why it is like this and cannot find any answer.

I experience it too whenever I go on a trip. I think its the brain telling the body to hold whatever waste is in there because a comfort room is not always available when you are in a journey. I also agree that it may be also the body's way of coping and adjusting to new environment. So, I believe there is really nothing wrong with being constipated while on a trip.