If it Were Me...

IBD can make it more complicated to visit unfamiliar places. Having a plan and being prepared can make a big difference.

When you are traveling to a new place, even just to visit for a day, it’s a good idea to spend some time finding out where the bathrooms are and what food you’ll be able to eat. If you are traveling to a new place and can’t look for bathrooms ahead of time, you can still think of places that are likely to have bathrooms you can use. Can you think of any stores or buildings that usually have bathrooms? Try making a list with your healthcare team, so the next time you’re in an unfamiliar place, you’ll be prepared to look for one of those places.

You can also prepare by bringing a kit of emergency supplies. You might want medicine, wipes, a change of clothes, and anything else that helps you out when your IBD symptoms start to give you trouble. By preparing ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about what you’ll do if your IBD symptoms are active, and you can focus on more fun things instead.