How to travel with an ostomy? Tips for a better life
Patients who have undergone a surgical procedure such as an ostomy know that they can perform any type of activity without any problem, as long as they take the necessary precautions and are careful with their stoma. Today in Ostocare we will tell you how to travel with an ostomy, without any difficulty and safely, so that if you want or need to make a trip, you can do so without inconvenience.
It is possible that traveling with an ostomy can increase a patient's anxiety or concern, especially when it is an enjoyable trip that includes days at the pool or beach. Actually, having an ostomy will not prevent you from making any trips, whether business or family, if everything is planned well, there will be no problem.
Patients with colostomies and ileostomies can be easily transported by any means of transportation, from cars, planes or trains. The important thing is to have all the necessary products to be able to carry out stoma care and have ostomy bags and all the cleaning materials necessary to perform the necessary care of a stoma in your journey with an ostomy.
Ostomy Travel Tips
For your trip with an ostomy to be totally enjoyable and for there to be no inconvenience with your stoma, you must plan your trip very well. One of the main things to keep in mind is that if your trip is to the countryside or a rural location, be sure to bring all the resources needed for changes and care of your stoma.
Keep in mind that in some places you will not find someone who can provide you with everything you need for stoma care, so be careful and take everything you think is necessary.
Also, it is important to research the location of your ostomy trip so that you will know where the nearest physicians are located in case there is any inconvenience.
Another important aspect is to have a medical support to avoid delays at airports. It is important to take a medical note that can assure you that the necessary medications and supplies for your stoma care will leave. This note must be in several languages or in the language of the country you plan to visit.
Possible complications that may occur
To travel with an ostomy you must be aware of the possible complications that can occur during your trip and stay in the place you will visit, so below we will name the inconveniences and how you can avoid them:
➡ Travel time
Generally with ileostomies, which are located in the lower part of the abdomen, the ostomy bag usually fills up in a short time, so if you take a long flight or a road trip, take with you the necessary number of bags and avoid eating food that can cause bad bowel movements.
The ostomy bag can be easily changed on a road trip, but you must take into account the place where you will do it, it must be clean and have the facilities to do it. As for your airplane travel with an ostomy, avoid eating too much food because, if it is a long trip, you must change your pouch repeatedly and airplane restrooms are not the most comfortable and suitable for this. It is recommended that you eat light, stomach-friendly foods.
➡ Avoiding unsuitable food
In the tourist trips you can try all kinds of typical meals of the place you visit. The patient with an ostomy can eat these foods as long as they do not cause an alteration in the intestinal transit. If you eat any food that causes discomfort, you will need a kit of medications prescribed by your doctor to treat this type of problem.
It is recommended that you eat the foods you have been consuming in the last few days that do not cause you intestinal problems.
➡ Important accessories
Ostomy patients can swim in pools, beaches or rivers, but it is necessary to carry a wrap to secure the stoma and the bag so that it doesn't come into contact with water and avoid infection in that area. The swimsuits have been designed for this purpose, with which patients can feel totally safe when bathing and can also swim without difficulty, since this type of accessory will provide you with the necessary safety to do so with peace of mind.
General recommendations for ostomate travel
It is common to see patients who have been ostomized who prefer not to leave home and travel with an ostomy. This is mainly because they are worried that they will find out that they are carrying an ostomy bag or that they will have an accident such as leakage of stool or urine.
When you are a permanent ostomy patient it is necessary to give importance to the quality of life, a journey can be very encouraging and not making it can lead to unwanted emotional states.
So, for the patient to be completely safe to travel with an ostomy and not have any unforeseen events, it is necessary to take into account all the tips that have been mentioned in this post, among which is to plan the trip, investigate the place you will visit, take all the necessary resources for the cleaning and care of the stoma, have all the necessary medications at hand, stay well hydrated and not eat foods that can generate bad feeling.
To be on the safe side, you should look for high quality products for travelling with an ostomyIf you are looking for an implement, you can find it at Ostocare, as we have a wide catalogue to ensure that you have everything you need for your stoma. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about traveling with an ostomy, we're here to guide you.