Having an ostomy should not stop you from traveling anywhere in the world. At first, you might be reluctant to travel with a stoma. You might be worried about falling short of ostomy supplies, not finding a proper place to change the ostomy pouch, or facing an embarrassing situation during your journey. The solution to all these worries is planning. Planning beforehand can anticipate the challenges you might face during your journey and can help you prepare yourself accordingly.
Here are a few tips which will make traveling with an ostomy a breeze for you:
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1. Stay HydratedThere is a no bigger spoiled spot to your journey than dehydration. If you have a stoma, especially an ileostomy, there are chances of getting dehydrated soon. So drink plenty of water during your journey. |
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2. Be Handy With Pre-Cut Skin BarriersIf you are using cut-to-fit skin barriers, it is important to pre-cut some of them at home. This will make things handy when you want to change your pouch during the journey. |
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3. Do Not Miss Packing Extra SuppliesPack extra ostomy pouches, skin barriers and accessories so that you are never short of supplies and can change your pouch whenever required. Also, carry some ostomy supplies in your hand bag in case your luggage is misplaced. |
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4. Make A Menu For Your TripTrips are always overwhelming and can often make you eat what you are not supposed to. Make a list of things you should eat during your journey and stick to it. Avoid foods like cabbage and spinach to prevent gas buildup. |
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5. Plan The Route When Traveling By RoadPlanning the route is important to get an idea of restrooms and restaurants you will pass by while traveling. You should have an idea of the nearest rest stop so that you can change your pouch accordingly. |
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6. Carry A Travel Communication CardThis card is issued by the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) and contains a brief description of your ostomy. It will help you deal with the airline security quickly. |
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7. Get An Idea Of Your Destination's WeatherAdhesiveness of your skin barriers can get affected due to warm weathers. Check the weather beforehand and prepare yourself according to weather conditions of your destination. |
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8. Store The Ostomy Products ProperlyAvoid storing ostomy products in hot and humid places. They should not get too warm over the journey. If convenient, carry a small cooler with you to store your ostomy supplies. |
Depending on the type of your stoma, there are some special tips which will help you make your trip comfortable and successful.
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