Celebrating the holidays with friends and family is what the season is all about. But traveling can transform fa-la-la to OMG! Those unplanned snags—weather and mechanical delays, overbooked flights, etc.—can dampen holiday spirits. But there's an additional obstacle that roughly 30 percent of the U.S. population has to deal with while traveling.
For those with urinary incontinence (UI)—or the other "i" word, as Baby Boomers refer tongue-in-cheek to the condition—travel can be even more daunting. Whether you're dealing with occasional accidental leaks, frequent visits to the bathroom, or complete incontinence, it takes stealth planning for the unexpected to avoid getting caught in an embarrassing situation.
These seventips could save you and your loved ones time and embarrassment during the hectic holiday season:
- Map your route: When traveling by car, identify freeway exit guides that list rest areas, and plan regular stops for bathroom breaks. Google Maps can highlight each rest stop on your trip so you know when and where you can go. Leave enough time in your journey to allow you to reach your destination on schedule.
- Avoid liquids two hours before boarding a flight: Changes in cabin pressure and tight seat belts can put pressure on your bladder, especially if it's full. Before the plane door closes, alert the flight attendant about your UI; this can be helpful should the plane get stuck on the tarmac.
- Pass on complementary beverages: Or at least avoid diuretics like soda and coffee. Plain old water is just fine.
- Have a "Plan B" bag: Pack an easily accessible bag with extra supplies, a change of clothing and a plastic bag for soiled clothing. This helps if you have an accident, but can also be a lifesaver if the airline loses your checked baggage.
- Always reserve an aisle seat, if possible: If you book with an airline that doesn't assign seats, like Southwest, consider investing in Early Bird Check-in, which guarantees you a spot at the front of the line to ensure you get that aisle seat.
- Talk to your doctor about medication: Because medications to treat an overactive bladder can take two weeks to take effect, discuss this option with your doctor well in advance of your trip.
- Learn how to ask, "Where is the restroom?" This is vitally important when traveling to foreign countries. Here are a few to get you started: French: Où est la WC? Pronounced: oooo- ay-la-dooublevaysay? Spanish: Perdóneme ¿Dónde está el baño? (Per-DON-eh- meh, DOHN-deh es-TAH el BAHN-yo?) German: Wo ist die Toilette, bitte? (Vo ist dee toy-LETT-uh, BIT-uh?) Arabic (Saudi Arabia; UAE):Ayna Al Hammam? (أينالحمام؟).
And finally, manage your bladder issues with products that are safe, healthy and that don't require multiple changes throughout the day. Bon Voyage!
Wendy LaTorre is the Chief Strategy Officer at Bioderm Medical, a company that manufactures catheters and catheter equipment, including Men's Liberty.