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Why do I always get diarrhea at the airport?

It's caused by drinking water or eating food that has bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Most traveler's diarrhea is from bacteria. Diarrhea from viruses and parasites is less common.



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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.

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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.

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Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.

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Air pressure in the cabin is lower than at sea level. As cabin pressure falls while flying, gas starts to expand. As a result, you may feel pressure in your stomach or digestive system. Gas and bloating are common.

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If you've noticed that you become more irregular—or even worse, don't experience a bowel movement at all—while traveling, you're not the only one. In fact, this is a pretty common occurrence. If you were to ask, “what causes constipation?”, travel is one reason that causes this digestive issue.

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During travel, people tend to have higher stress levels and changes in their daily patterns. They may also eat different foods than usual. Any one or a combination of these factors could trigger an IBS flare in some individuals.

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When you're stressed, neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) travel along this pathway to your gut, where they regulate the movement of water and electrolytes4. The diarrhea symptoms that you experience during stressful situations may be part of your body's fight-or-flight reaction5.

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Make sure your pre-travel diet includes plenty of fiber, which makes stools softer and more comfortable to pass. Foods high in fiber include many fruits, like apples (with the skin), raspberries, and pears; beans; and whole-grain foods such as bran cereal.

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Eat Light. Contrary to popular belief, flying on an empty stomach doesn't help you combat air sickness. In fact, an empty stomach actually exacerbates symptoms. Eat a light meal such as crackers, fruit, and other light snacks.

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Going for a walk or taking a light run can relax your muscles to allow for gas to release freely. Light stretching and yoga are also calming ways to get your muscles warmed up so you can help get that excess gas out of your body.

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