Flying can absolutely make IBS symptoms worse. If gas and bloating are an issue for you, the change in cabin pressure, along with long hours in a cramped seat can hinder digestive movement, creating pressure and pain in the gut.
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The rigors of travel, anxiety about bathroom access, strange foods, and disrupted sleep schedules can all serve to exacerbate the discomforts of IBS symptoms.
The dry air and low air pressure in long flights is dehydrating. “Dehydration due to low humidity levels in the cabin can slow down digestion and worsen constipation and preexisting IBS symptoms,” Surapaneni explains. Consider bringing a refillable water bottle with you on the plane.
For instance, flying is often a triple whammy — stress, dehydration and pressure changes are a recipe for experiencing constipation while traveling if you're not careful, especially if you're already prone to it.
Even though the air in your cabin is pressurized, the air pressure is still much lower than what you're used to at ground level. That lower pressure causes the gases in your gut to expand, resulting in bloating and gassiness, Dr. Movassaghi says.
It's possible that traveler's diarrhea may stem from the stress of traveling or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents — such as bacteria, viruses or parasites — are to blame. You typically develop traveler's diarrhea after ingesting food or water contaminated with organisms from feces.
Travellers' diarrhoea is one of the most common health issues experienced during travel. It can be caused by many different germs like bacteria (E.coli, Salmonella), viruses (norovirus) and parasites (Giardia).