When you gotta go, you gotta go.
Most of us can hold it until we find the nearest restroom, but people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other medical conditions don’t always have a choice.
“They may have urgency and the need to run to a restroom very quickly. They risk the loss of continence, and so this can be a very stress-inducing and anxiety-producing disease,” said Laura Wingate, Chief Education, Support and Advocacy Officer at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory diseases affecting the digestive tract, which can be both painful and unpredictable, but there are various other reasons people
may not be able to control their bladders and bowels.
“We estimate that nearly 1 in 100 Americans are living with inflammatory bowel disease and millions more are living with incontinence, other (gastrointestinal) conditions,” Wingate said.
These can be especially tricky to navigate with travel, but here’s what to know.
Dealing with urgency, incontinence
“Everybody has their own access needs,” said John Alberts, a luxury travel advisor who specializes in accessible travel and has epilepsy.
“With my epilepsy, the neurotransmitters, my connection between my bodily functions and what's happening within my body, sometimes gets messed up,” he explained.
That causes him bladder incontinence, which he manages with what he calls a fairly rigid day-to-day routine and incontinence products. Several companies, including household names like Always and Depend, make incontinence underwear and pads. Alberts uses NorthShore Care Supply.
“What people don't realize is the ones in the stores are usually used for, like, light bladder leaks,” he said. “The ones that you buy off of more prominent companies like NorthShore are for like full heavy bladder releases, where you're not really sure what's happening or even bowel incontinence as well.”
He advises others to find what works best for them. “Research real options and give them a test before you go anywhere, because you don't know what product is going to work for you,” he said.
He knows some people are embarrassed to even acknowledge the issue.
“I think especially men feel a lot of shame behind this … It is embarrassing at times, absolutely,” he said, adding that not being prepared can be worse. “If you know you're going to need incontinence products, have them with you, have them on hand, wear them.”
Preparing to travel
For travel, Alberts always packs whatever he uses in a typical day, plus extra.
“Diapers, wipes, extra clothes, whatever you would need,” he said. If there is any chance of delays, say due to bad weather, he packs even more. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
Similarly for bowel issues, Wingate echoed, “A lot of it is about preplanning, having those necessities in your carry-on bag."
That may include medication and snacks that people typically tolerate.
“The things we eat may impact our inflammatory processes. The change in schedule may impact our experience with the symptoms,” Wingate said.
Alberts also advises staying hydrated.
“I would never, ever suggest somebody not drink water,” he said. “A lot of people do try to not eat and not drink, and think that dehydrating themselves will be helpful. But in the end, depending on your access needs, if it's a GI tract (issue), having nothing in your system can be just as dangerous as having something as a trigger in your system.”
Navigating travel
Travelers can inform airlines of access needs upon booking. The Department of Transportation also advises, “it’s a good idea to call your airline in advance to arrange for … seating accommodation that meets your disability-related needs.”
Alberts typically books aisle seats, ideally near a lavatory.
“I just like the comfort of knowing I'm going to be in an aisle seat, and I have the availability to go to the restroom,” he said.
Alberts and Wingate shared these other tips for flying:
- Arrive at airports early so you can locate and use nearby restrooms without rushing
- Let flight attendants know you may need to get up to use the airplane lavatory even if the seatbelt sign is on, as long as it’s safe
- Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation has a whole guide to traveling with IBD, as well as a free restroom finder app called We Can’t Wait. The foundation and others also offer an I Can’t Wait card that helps explain to businesses why cardholders may urgently require restroom access.
Wingate notes some states have laws, sometimes called Ally’s Law, ensuring that access, but advises businesses in general to be “compassionate to people with medical needs – and that includes being compassionate to people with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, but also people who are pregnant and may have an urgent need to use the restroom because of pregnancy.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'We can't wait': When restroom access is a critical need
