Bloating from plane journeys, stress, changes in eating patterns and sleep deprivation are just some of the issues that face travellers with IBS. Follow these top tips to make sure that your trip is flare-up free

Avoid eating too much spicy or local ‘street’ food If you suffer with IBS, it is likely that your gut struggles to cope with changes in diet and the consumption of different foods. Those suffering from IBS normally know their ‘trigger foods’, which differ from person to person. For many people, spicy food aggravates their symptoms, so try to keep this to a minimum. Also beware of street vendors with potential poor hygiene practices. Not only could you get a mild case of food poisoning, but it could realistically take your gut a good couple of weeks to recover and get back to normal. Take a hot water bottle on the plane with you IBS symptoms cause bloating of the abdomen. Bloating also occurs for many people (IBS sufferers or not), when they fly. A common reason for this is the pressure in the air cabin. Be prepared for your trip and pack a hot water bottle that you can place on your stomach throughout the duration of your flight. This will help ease stomach cramps, if they occur, and will ease the discomfort of bloating. Most airlines will let you take a hot water bottle on board with you, and the staff on board will be more than happy to keep it topped up during your trip.

Pack all-things peppermint Peppermint is one of the best natural ways to treat IBS symptoms. Pack some peppermint tea bags that you can keep in your hotel room during your trip, as well as slow release peppermint oil capsules, mints and even a small bottle of peppermint oil that you can mix into water and drink for when your symptoms flare up. If you are prone to experiencing diarrhoea, reduce your stress levels It is a common worry for many people with IBS that when they board a plane, they won’t have immediate access to a toilet. Talk to your doctor before you travel about medications you can buy to reduce stress and anxiety, and to even safely slow down the movement of your gut so that you do not feel the urge to go to the toilet. If you’re against taking medications, try breathing exercises or a meditation app inflight. If you are prone to constipation, pack senna or stool softeners If you are travelling a long distance, time differences can play havoc with your body clock and mess up your entire bodily rhythm, having an impact on your IBS and bowel movements. Pack natural senna tablets or stool softeners to take when you arrive at your destination so that you can quickly get your natural rhythm back.