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.

Our bowels get used to how we normally eat and drink. They don’t really like great changes in that routine. Anything out of the ordinary will have some sort of effect on how they work.

This is why constipation (defined as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week, with straining and hard or dry, lumpy poo) can be a common problem in travellers.

Constipation lasting a few days into the holiday is probably due to dehydration. This is especially the case if you’re on holiday in a hot country, as you’ll be sweating a lot. Drinking more alcohol than you might normally have at home can also make dehydration worse.

Add to this a change in diet – such as irregular eating times and having fewer fruits and vegetables – and our bowels become sluggish and the constipation........

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