There's having IBS at home - and having IBS out and about. Two very different problems.

At home, you know where the bathroom is. You've got your heating pad, your comfort foods, and no one questioning why you've been in there for 20 minutes. But go out, and suddenly you're mapping bathroom locations as if you're planning a military strike and anxiety kicks in.

For anyone who has ever calculated exactly how far from their seat to the nearest bathroom, here are some battle-tested tips for getting around the world when your stomach has a mind of its own.

1. Pack an Emergency Kit

There is no substitute for preparation. An under-the-radar Travel Pouch packed with essentials can be a lifesaver(it is the perfect wet/dry bag):

• Flushable wipes (individually packaged ones take up less space)
• Toilet paper (since public bathrooms are out at the most inopportune moments)
• Spare underwear and even extra pants for real emergencies
• Plastic bags for dirty items
• Pads or liners in case of unexpected urgency
• Sanitizing wipes for less-than-spotless public restroom
  

2. Medication Management with Mini Pill Pouches

Symptoms require varying solutions. Keep your stash in order with labeled pouches:

• Antispasmodics for cramping
• Anti-diarrheal for self-explanatory reasons
• Digestive enzymes for eating outside the home
• Gas relief meds
• Pain medication
• Anxiety meds

Having them labeled plainly is no longer rummaging through a huge pill box during a flare. Guess what?! Soon we are going to have 3 new prelabeled 10 packs of these amazing mini pill pouches!

This may not work for everyone, but the BeWell Nausea tincture helps for IBS symptoms too; indigestion, etc.

3. Bathroom Mapping Isn't Just Smart - It's Necessary

Technology can be your best ally. Apps such as "Flush", "We Can't Wait", "SitOrSquat" provide locations of public restrooms nearby, and Google Maps now also provides public bathroom locations in many places.

Pre-game or pre-road trip scouting for bathroom locations in advance makes all the difference before big events or travel to unfamiliar territories. Knowing where your alternatives are drastically alleviates anxiety.

When you don't have the time to get from car to bathroom, pull over and use our Urgency Bucket. It is a lifesaver and having it reduces my anxiety.

4. Dress for Digestive Success

Your dress code is critically important with IBS:

• High-waisted anything feels like torture on bloating days
• Soft, wide waistbands on leggings or joggers are a comfortable choice
• Dark colors also conceal possible accidents
• Bloused tops help camouflage bloating
• Always, always have on a sweater or jacket you can tie around your waist if you need to

5. Heat on the Go for Pain

Pain cramps don't give notice. Stick-on heat pads designed for menstrual cramps will work just as well for IBS pain. They're thin and can be worn under clothing and will provide you with hours of relief without anyone being the wiser.

6. The Cancellation Conversation

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you simply can't make it. Having some ready-to-go responses comes to the rescue:

• "I'm not feeling well today and need to reschedule"
• "I'm experiencing a health flare and need to take it easy"
• "I need to raincheck - my body is saying no today"

Good friends and understanding colleagues will get it. Those who don't probably haven't earned your long medical explanations in the first place.

7. Strategic Seating Saves Stress

When attending events:

• Request aisle seats at theaters and on planes
• Choose tables near restrooms at restaurants
• At weddings or conferences, position yourself for quick exits
• Don't hesitate to call venues ahead to ask about accommodations

8. The Explanation Script

Sometimes questions are inevitable. Having a brief, comfortable explanation ready prevents on-the-spot stress:

• "I have a digestive condition that sometimes needs immediate attention"
• "I've got IBS, so spur-of-the-moment bathroom breaks are part of my routine"
• Or even: "Medical issue - just a minute!"

You don't owe anyone explanations.

9. Safe Snack Strategy

Starving can make you worse, but so can the wrong food. Pack IBS-safe snacks you've tried on yourself:

• Plain rice cakes
• Banana chips
• Plain crackers
• Whatever keeps YOUR special type of IBS at bay (for me it is avoid any oil)

10. Grace, Above All Else

There are days when, no matter how much you've prepared, they just don't go well. The bathroom isn't working. Your backup snack is MIA. Your meds aren't alleviating.

Those days, remember this: IBS isn't you. It's only a part of the ugly, beautiful human picture. You're getting by on something tough every day, often unnoticeably, and that takes beyond-belief courage.

With good planning, a little strategy, and plenty of niceness to yourself, you might manage to survive the world beyond your bathroom. It might not always be beautiful, but it can be survivable - and sometimes, that is win enough.