Why does my stomach hurt after traveling?

Tummy problems like diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion are all-too-common travel companions. Travel disrupts many of the body's natural rhythms, including digestion says Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.



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Equally important is to restore your gut to full function. “Go for a walk to kickstart the digestive system and drink plenty of fresh warm or room temperature water, Nishtha advises. Try and eat a big green salad or other vegetables and fruits to get fibre into your system and get the bowels moving again, she adds.

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Most people improve within 1 to 2 days without treatment and recover completely within a week. However, you can have multiple episodes of traveler's diarrhea during one trip. The most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea are: Suddenly passing three or more looser watery stools a day.

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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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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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From flu-like symptoms to digestive tract upsets, feeling ill post-vacation affects up to 80 percent of returning travelers, says Dr. Ashima Oza, a primary care physician and an instructor in the Division of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.

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A lack of oxygen or the proverbial thin air, as is common at high altitudes or during flights, can trigger inflammation in the intestinal tract in people with a corresponding predisposition.

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The most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea are: Suddenly passing three or more looser watery stools a day. An urgent need to pass stool. Stomach cramps.

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Travel can be exhausting. Here are tips to feel whole again.
  1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Travel, especially on a plane, can be dehydrating. ...
  2. If you're not napping, stay engaged. ...
  3. Keep your blood flowing. ...
  4. Start moving ASAP. ...
  5. Get outside. ...
  6. Refuel with something satisfying or healthy. ...
  7. Prioritize rest. ...
  8. Take a shower or steam.


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Travel fatigue is the feeling of total exhaustion or burnout from traveling for days, weeks, or months on end. It can be caused by extreme culture shock, difficulty planning, and countless road bumps that make it difficult to stick to the agenda, among other travel-related stressors.

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