Traveller’s tummy: why going on holiday can affect your bowel habits – and what you can do to prevent it

Changes to our normal routine can throw our bowels out of whack. S Prodution/ Shutterstock

Travelling abroad is something many of us look forward to. It’s a chance to break free from the norm, discover new sights, try new foods and do things we might not normally have a chance to do.

But sometimes, our body has other plans – and our long-awaited holiday is spoiled by changes in our bowel habits. From bloating and discomfort to constipation and diarrhoea, travellers’ tummy is a well-recognised issue. Here’s why it happens – and what you can do to prevent it from ruining your plans.