“It is not just a casual complaint – medically, this is actually recognised as acute or secondary constipation brought on by environmental or behavioural changes related to travelling.”
Dr Chok Aik Yong, medical director at Aelius Surgical Centre at Mount Elizabeth Orchard, explained that “travel constipation” is essentially regular constipation – a medically recognised condition generally defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, or experiencing hard stools or straining when passing motion – triggered by specific circumstances of travel.
These triggers include dehydration, dietary changes, disrupted sleep, time-zone shifts and prolonged sitting.
“Your digestion follows a circadian rhythm,” said Dr Chok. “When eating and sleeping times shift, your bowel movements can become irregular.”
WHY TRAVEL TIES UP YOUR GUT
The experts told CNA Lifestyle that dehydration, disrupted routines and reduced physical activity are among the biggest culprits behind travel constipation.
These triggers can show up as early as during the flight or road trip to your destination.
“Long flights mean prolonged sitting, and that reduces colonic motility,” said Dr Tian.
“The dry cabin air also dehydrates you quickly, making stools harder. Jet lag shifts your circadian rhythm – your gut has its own internal clock, and when your meals and sleep times change suddenly, bowel movements become irregular.”
Dr Chok described this phenomenon as “gut lag”.
The body has a natural circadian rhythm, where the gut has its own internal clock that helps regulate bowel movements. Under normal conditions, the intestines are most active in the morning and less active at night, said Dr Chok.