Travelling with bladder and bowel conditions can be a stressful process, and many will simply neglect the opportunity to venture across the world in fear that they won’t have fast access to a toilet. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the sight-seeing and fulfilment that others experience when abroad, so we’re here to offer you the best advice for travelling happily with bladder and bowel conditions.
If you live with a bladder or bowel condition and are planning a holiday, a trip for work, or perhaps travelling further afield for a longer adventure there is enough to plan without having to consider your healthcare needs. Living with an on-going bladder or bowel condition such as incontinence, crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, can make dealing with flare-ups difficult enough from the comfort of your own home.
The first thing to remember is there is no real reason why you can’t go away as long as you prepare carefully and plan everything in advance to make your trip more enjoyable and comfortable.. Below are some general tips to help you travel with confidence.
Travelling With Confidence
[BBC:042]Travelling with Confidence
This handy guide provides helpful hints and tips on travelling confidently with a bladder or bowel issue, available to download and reference later. A visual infographic is also availablehere.
Method of Transport
如果你患有肠易激综合征或类似疾病，需要经常上厕所，那么选择一种包括厕所的交通方式就至关重要了——这听起来可能是显而易见的，但如果车上没有厕所，预订长途汽车就没有意义了。
Flying with Confidence
如果你乘坐的是飞机，在厕所附近预订一个座位可能会有帮助，并考虑到你的排便习惯来计划你的飞行时间。你携带的任何药物都可能需要证明，并确保你遵守了航空公司关于如何包装和运输这些药物的指导方针。
In the UK if you are travelling by air with a disability or reduced mobility you are legally entitled to support – known as ‘Special Assistance’ – provided by airlines to ensure you have a less stressful journey.
You should be offered help from your arrival at the airport – this applies to all UK airports – and supported throughout your journey through the airport, in the air, and through arrivals at your destination airport.
Special Assistance support can include:
- your journey through departures
- boarding the aircraft and during the flight
- disembarking the aircraft
- Any transfers between flights
- travelling through your destination airport
You must give the airline 48 hours notice if you plan to request Special Assistance.
Travelling by Car
如果你打算开车旅行，那么记下服务站的位置。注意旅行当天的饮食也有助于避免膀胱过度活动或肠道不适。你可能希望随身携带易于储存的食物，因为高速公路服务可能只有有限的茶点选择，如果你遵循一种特殊的饮食。如果你能计划好经常停下来、活动活动腿和上厕所，这是一种很棒的旅行方式。
You might also wish to use a lease car, with companies such as theMotability Schemeofferingcars, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, scooters and powered wheelchairs to people in exchange for their mobility allowance. To be eligible for the scheme, you must be in receipt of certain benefits. You can find out if you’re eligible by visitingMotability Eligibility.
The Great British Toilet Map is a community initiative which can help you find a toilet when you’re on the go. You can also add your own locations to help others along the way. Visit theToilet Mapwebsite for more information.
Travelling by Public Transport
If you live in England and are ‘eligible disabled’ you can apply for a disabled person’sbus passvia your local council, which entitles you to concessionary travel. There are similar schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you are a disabled person and travelling by bus or coach, by law drivers must give ‘reasonable assistance’ to help ease your journey, for example helping you embark or disembark the bus or coach. It’s worth asking for assistance in advance if you’re planning to travelling on a coach, and might need extra help.
Healthcare Abroad
If you’re a UK citizen travelling in Europe make sure that you’re equipped with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) – this is replacing the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which can still be used if still in date. Carrying it with you means you’ll be able to access healthcare for the same cost as residents of that country, otherwise you’ll have to pay in full. You will also need Travel Insurance though, as this is specific to healthcare.
Non UK citizens may need to check eligibility, for more information see the NHS information about Healthcare Abroad. Do check for any exceptions, as some destinations may not accept the GHIC or EHIC.
Travel Insurance
Remember to sort out any insurance cover before you pay for your holiday. This particularly applies to anyone with a pre-existing condition such as (but not limited to) Crohns & Colitis, Cancer, IBD. It’s worth looking at insurance options available and being upfront about your condition before you part with any money as it could be difficult to get a holiday refund if you are subsequently refused insurance on health grounds.
Finding a suitable insurance company is the first step.Money Helper提供了一个保险公司的目录，这些保险公司覆盖了你的既存状况——这是由英国政府货币和养老金服务提供的，以确保任何一个去度假的人都能在你出国期间负担得起合适的医疗服务。
Be sure to disclose details of your health condition or you may not be covered. Find out more aboutinsurance for pre-existing conditionsin our resource section.
Doctor’s Letter
Ask your GP to provide or help you with the following:
- A letter outlining your medical history and explaining your need and use of medications, devices or appliances etc. It’s advisable to keep your medicine in its original packaging to show at customs. This letter will also help if you need to get a prescription whilst away.
- 一份书面管理计划，概述轻微、中度和/或严重症状应采取的措施，以及何时应寻求医疗护理。
- 确保你能在旅途中服用足够的正常药物、设备或器具。
- A contact number for your GP in case you need medical advice while you are away. It can be very reassuring to know that you can call your GP if you have any medical problems.
What to pack
打包总是一件棘手的事情，尤其是当你需要携带药物和处方用品的时候。一定要向你的航班或选择的交通工具确认你可以带什么行李，以及你应该如何打包这些重要的物品。
我们已经创建了一个有用的“荒岛工具包”信息图表，你可以随时放在手边，这样当遇到包装过程中令人兴奋(但对某些人来说)紧张的部分时，你就可以确保你有必要的东西。
Please feel free to share this infographic
When it comes to packing pads, pants and wipes, you can never pack too many. There’s nothing worse than realising you’re short of supplies, so bring as many as you feel reasonable for the duration of your journey.
你可以获得一个向日葵挂绳，这可以帮助传达你有一个隐藏的残疾。这些可以从Hidden disability购买，也可以在参与场馆免费领取，这些场馆现在包括一些机场和大型商店。You can find more information about travelling with the sunflower inthis article.
Supplies
Check with your supplier before you travel to see what support services they may have, as some manufacturers and home delivery suppliers have special cards in foreign languages that are extremely helpful if you use prescription continence or stoma appliances.
The best policy is to take a good supply of all the items you will need – pads, pants, creams, wipes, etc. It also pays to pack some of your supplies in your hand luggage in case of delays or lost luggage. You’ll need to check with your airline and keep within their guidelines for carrying equipment and medicines.
Our Bladder & Bowel Home Delivery Service can help you manage supplies, through a friendly, reliable and discreet supply service. Please visit theHome Delivery Service部分查看更多信息。
Bed Protection
Ask if this can be supplied at your chosen accommodation or take a generously sized waterproof sheet or pad with you – thin disposable draw sheets with a leak proof backing are available.
Hygiene and Laundry
It’s advisable to take your own disposal bags and a few bin liners for used pads, etc. A deodorising spray may also help. Remember to check what facilities are available with your accommodation before you book; an en-suite bathroom is an obvious choice.
Most large hotels should provide laundry services; an extra charge may be required. Or take washing detergent and a portable washing line with you for smaller items.
Luggage
When flying, remember to split up your supplies between different bags, in case one is lost! Also, pack all the items you are likely to need during the flight and waiting periods at each end in your hand luggage. Most airlines allow extra hand luggage for medical reasons so don’t be afraid to ask when you book.
如果您有必要的医疗设备或您的产品超过机舱安全行李限额(如护肤品)，您需要全科医生开具的医疗证明来确保机场安全。目前，容器必须是100ml或以下，并包装在一个可重复密封的塑料袋(20 x 20厘米)。在订票或查阅现行政府指引时，请向航空公司征询意见。
Public Toilets
Public toilets are few and far between in some countries. It can be easier to find a toilet in a hotel, bar or restaurant, or in a shopping centre. Carry a supply of disposal bags and wipes etc. when you’re out as bins and hygiene can also be a bit hit and miss.
Don’t forget your Just Can’t Wait toilet card; it states the holder has a genuine medical condition that may require the urgent use of a toilet. You can apply for aJust Can’t Wait toilet card帮助你清楚地告诉别人你需要马上上厕所。Get yours FREE today.
ARADAR keywhich gives access in the UK to 9,000 locked toilets for disabled people, may also prove useful. Germany and some other European countries have a similar scheme throughCBF Darmstadt– visit their website for details.
Diet
无论你去哪里，如果可能的话，坚持你的日常饮食，当你在国外时，不要吃洗过的沙拉和水果，不要在饮料中加入冰块，不要吃重新加热过的食物或没有盖在柜台上的食物。只喝瓶装水，确保你喝足够的液体来保持水分(每天6 - 8杯或1.5 - 2升)。
If you follow a special diet, you may wish to take some familiar foods with you. For example, if you’re coeliac and visiting a country where it may be difficult to find gluten free foods, you might take some bread or crackers just in case. Similarly, if you take dietary supplements such as hemp or flaxseed, these can be transported in their original packaging and tucked into your suitcase.
Relax and Enjoy!
近年来，旅游机会显著增加，更便宜的航班服务于更广泛的目的地，铁路和汽车站内的交通更加便利。对许多人来说，这使得旅行成为一种更常见的体验。残疾人和行动不便的人应享有与其他人同等的旅行机会，这是一个平等的问题。然而，对于有残疾或行动不便的人来说，尝试乘飞机旅行似乎充满了潜在的困难。
Travelling with bladder and bowel conditions doesn’t have to be a recipe for disaster. The best thing you can do is to plan ahead, and be prepared for dealing with unexpected delays or circumstances which at times cannot be avoided. Ask for help when you need it, and remember to try to relax and enjoy your trip!
We hope you’re able to travel a little happier with this advice – let us know your experiences at[email protected]
Further Help & Information
For more information about travelling with confidence please visit ourdownloadssection. This contains more helpful advice and tips, as well as the contact details of organisations that may be able to help you further.
Travelling with a Disability– Visit the Civil Aviation Authority website for more information about your rights and air travel as a UK citizen:https://www.caa.co.uk/
Global / European Health Insurance– Apply for, or renew your GHIC or EHIC via theNHS website.
UK Travel– If you’re travelling within the UK find our more about your right to support as a disabled person: https://www.gov.uk/transport-disabled/cars-buses-and-coaches
Get Support– Sometimes the most valuable advice can come from those who have experienced the same situation. Help is available to you in our Closed Facebook Support Group. This is a global community accessed from around the world – so if you have any travel questions or concerns, or can offer any help or advice please share your thoughts in theBladder & Bowel Community Support Group.