Travel's Number Two Problem

You may be as regular as a Swiss timepiece, but for some reason travel seems to throw off many of our internal clocks and digestive systems. Whether it’s the change of venue, jet lag, different foods, dehydration, or some other factor, when you lose the home field advantage, sometimes your innards get screwed up. That can lead to both discomfort and inconvenience.

Even if you don’t think you’re likely to be affected, it never hurts to take some easy preparations that will preclude stomach pains and skid marks.

Do you remember the old joke that men only need two items in their tool box – WD40 and duct tape? The former for when things are supposed to move, but won’t; and the latter for things that aren’t supposed to move, but do. Think of your gut in the same manner. Your bowels’ equivalent of WD40 is some sort of stool softener or fiber supplement (don’t go full Ex-Lax or you’ll have to leave the boat at the worst possible time).

The analog for duct tape – something to bind you up – is a pill like Imodium or a liquid like Pepto Bismol. Of course, the best way to treat it is to avoid it altogether. Make sure you drink plenty of water (bottled or boiled) and avoid street foods, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and in some places fruits and vegetables that you don’t see peeled and/or washed in treated water.

These lightweight supplies don’t take up much room in your luggage, and even if you don’t need them, someone in your group might be very happy to take advantage of your foresight. While you’re at it, throw in a pack of wipes (or even a roll of TP in a Ziploc) so when nature does call you have a way to stay fresh.