Get prepared
Holidays are all about relaxing, enjoying some time off with loved ones and the main aim is to avoid stress at all costs. The best way to achieve this is to be prepared! We know that in many cases stress can contribute to cystitis (especially when it comes to interstitial cystitis), and so the last thing we want is for you to feel stressed and risk having a flare up before you even set off.
Have a folder with all of your travel documents and any other information you’ll need handy, do some research into restaurants and local attractions to start planning your days ahead of time, pack a bit at a time a few days before the big day, and aim to head off in plenty of time to avoid a mad rush at the last minute. All of these steps will help to reduce stress and help keep your symptoms under control.
Don’t forget to keep hydrated
Travelling can easily make us dehydrated and this is never good news when it comes to cystitis.
Firstly, ensure that you have a bottle of water handy for all stages of the journey. Then, once you’ve reached your destination, it’s important to keep hydration top of mind there too.
In warmer climates you’ll naturally be losing more fluids as you sweat, especially if you’re busy enjoying day trips and adding more alcohol or salty foods to the mix. These can all result in your urine becoming more concentrated and creates better conditions for bad bacteria to populate. Up your water intake to at least 2l daily, to help to keep your urine more dilute and flushing through.
Another top tip from me is to go to the loo as and when you need. Although this can be tricky on an aeroplane, whilst the seatbelt sign is switched off make sure you make frequent trips to help protect against any unwanted irritation in your bladder.
Make sensible choices when it comes to your holiday diet
Although it’s nice to relax and enjoy some foods you might not normally eat at home whilst on your trip, it’s also important to know your limits and eat in moderation. Extreme changes in your diet can easily exacerbate the symptoms of cystitis.
Stick to fresh foods as much as possible and make the most of the amazing choice of fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood that you often have widely available on holiday. These will be gentler on your system, will possess more naturally-occurring anti-inflammatory properties and from a more practical point of view, eating more of these will mean you’ll be less likely to fill up on more sugary options which could spur on any lingering bad bacteria!
Watch out for drinks when it comes to cystitis too. Caffeine is pro-inflammatory and will risk irritating your urinary tract (keep strong coffees to a minimum) and alcohol often contains lots of hidden sugar and is more likely to contribute to dehydration. Moderation is key!
Embrace the intimate times
Holidays, especially honeymoons, are often a time to enjoy getting your glad rags on and to spend more time than usual with your loved ones. However, if you suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections, the threat of developing honeymoon cystitis may be playing on your mind.
No need to worry though, read my blog on this topic here so you can ensure you’re properly prepared and ready to enjoy your time.
Pack your toilet bag to support your urinary tract health
As I’ve already covered, it’s important to be organised before your trip – this will help to keep your stress levels under control but will also mean you have everything you need on hand to help ensure that you have a more comfortable trip.
Make a list and ensure that you pack a few of my summer essentials to help support your urinary tract when travelling:
1 – Cranberry for maintenance
Cranberry is a good option to help keep bad bacteria under control and to avoid any nasty flare ups. Opt for a high strength tablet if you’re jetting off on holiday as these are ideal for travelling and also help to ensure that you aren’t consuming any added sugar that may be found in some juices.
2 – Probiotics for female health
For some extra protection, I often recommend taking a good quality probiotic product for a few days before you go on holiday and also whilst you’re there. By supporting the balance of good bacteria with Optibac Probiotics for Women, you’ll become more resilient which means you will be less likely to fall victim to UTIs during your travels. The convenient one-a-day travel pack is compact and they don’t need to be kept in a fridge.
3 – Uva-ursi to manage the symptoms
If you’re worried that a niggle could potentially develop into something more while you’re away, having a bottle of Uva-ursi & Echinacea complex on hand can help to ensure that you’re properly prepared. Add 15 drops to a little splash of water up to five times daily to help manage your symptoms.
Uva-ursi & Echinacea Cystitis Oral Drops. Cystitis Treatment for Women
£12.99 (50ml) Get it tomorrow, 26th April.
