Not being able to poop while on vacation is something we all experience, but have you ever wondered why it happens?
A stomach doctor has explained the causes of constipation when you travel, and what to do when you’re struggling to go.
Why you can’t poop on vacation
“If you get constipated any time you go on vacation, you’re not the only one. This is actually a really common thing,” Dr. Joseph Salhab said in a viral TikTok video.
He explained that part of it is because when you go away, your bathroom timing is off, putting your body out of sync. People also tend to avoid public restrooms because they feel uncomfortable, or they are unsanitary, so hold it in.
Stress and a change in diet also contribute to struggling to poop, and you may not be getting enough fiber in your food.
It’s also linked to something called the circadian rhythm, which is a fancy term for our internal body clock. Studies have shown that disruption to this rhythm, for example due to jet lag, can induce constipation.
MedlinePlus adds that dehydration is also a common cause of constipation. While on vacation, you may forget to drink enough water, or could be consuming more alcohol which dehydrates you.
Doctor’s travel poop hack
Dr. Salhab came up with a “travel poop hack,” which outlines what to do to get your digestive system moving again.
It has nine steps:
- Kiwi
- Apples
- Dragonfruit
- Pears
- Prune Juice
- Magnesium Citrate or Oxide
- Coffee
- Water
- Foot Stool
“This includes fruits that I try to get as soon as I land which help stimulate bowel movements,” he said. “I also make sure I get access to a lot of water.”
The doctor explained that coffee can “stimulate movement of the colon,” and taking magnesium supplements can also have a “laxative effect”.
Finally, he suggested putting your feet up while trying to use the toilet because that helps poop pass more easily.
Dr. Joseph Salhab is a gastroenterologist in Davenport, Florida, who received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus and has been in practice between for more than a decade.
