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Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Why South Africa Is the Best Country to Visit If You Have Digestive Issues
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by Condé Nast Traveler editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Getty Images After visiting all seven continents, I've concluded there are two types of anxious travelers: those who need to know where to find the closest emergency exit and those who need the location of the nearest restroom. I'm the latter. For me and my fellow passengers living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a group of digestive conditions including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—going to the bathroom is the emergency. At age 17, when I should have been on a senior class trip, I was in the hospital getting a colonoscopy. I opened my college acceptance letter while camped out on the toilet in my parents' bathroom at our farm in Montana. It's hard to celebrate receiving a full-ride scholarship to your dream school in New York City when you're not sure you'll be well enough to go. But, fortunately, with the help of modern medicine, I made it to the Big Apple. In fact, living in Queens—where more than 800 languages are spoken—inspired me to become a travel writer. Crohn's disease may be a life sentence, but I haven't let my diagnosis rule my life. If anything, getting diagnosed with a chronic condition was the catalyst I needed to realize I couldn't count on tomorrow. When it comes to travel, as long as I'm in remission, today is the day. In the last four months, I've zip-lined in Costa Rica, logged 20,000-step days in Paris, skied in the Italian Alps, swam with manta rays in the Maldives, and spent a week on a wine farm in South Africa—which I consider the best country to visit if you have a digestive disorder. In fact, I've traveled to South Africa so often in the past 10 years that immigration is starting to give me some serious side-eye. I even convinced my mom, who also has Crohn's disease but hates to travel, to spend two weeks with me in Cape Town and Kruger National Park. She loved it. That's because out of all 70-something countries I've visited, no country welcomes Crohnies—or anyone with IBD—quite like the Rainbow Nation. South Africa can swallow nearly three Californias. When I talk about the country, I'm referring to Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as safari camps, wine country, and other traveler-friendly destinations. The first thing I love about South Africa is I've never had to pay to use a public toilet. Meanwhile, in Norway, I averaged at least $20 a day on bathroom breaks at public toilets that only opened with a credit card swipe. I did just read that a Durban shopping center is implementing a new restroom fee but it's just 2 ZAR (about 10 cents). I don't know of any Cape Town shopping centers or malls that charge. Plus, the city maintains more than 75 public restrooms, mostly found along the promenade and in tourist areas. That said, I usually just duck into a shopping center, a petrol station if I'm road-tripping, or a restaurant where I know there will be toilet paper and soap. Currently, the US dollar remains strong in South Africa, and I can afford to patronize eateries multiple times per day just to use their facilities. Food is also inexpensive, and it's easy to find gut-friendly options. I'd trade a kidney for the recipe for the homemade gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate brownies sold in the Picnickery at Spier Wine Farm. Yes, South Africa is so idyllic they have picnickeries where you can purchase freshly baked bread (some made with 'celiac-certified flour'), vegan cheese you'd never guess was made from nuts, and organic Sauvignon Blanc. Although she doesn't condone drinking, my gastroenterologist says dry wines, which are low in residual sugars, are best for people with irritable bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's. For fast food, I hit up Kauai, a wellness-themed franchise featuring burgers, wraps, bowls, and salads. Look for the flagship locations, because they have make-your-own menus where you can customize your meal. That said, I've never had a waiter give me side-eye in South Africa when I asked for a substitution. And unlike in some cultures, where it's considered rude to decline food offered to you by a local, here they don't get too offended. For example, I like to support the country's ethical township tours, which bring visitors to settlements formed under the apartheid government to enforce segregation. But I usually don't eat the food offered to me. As tempting as it may be, I just can't afford to take any chances while on the road. I won't sugarcoat it: I've gotten sick in South Africa. I was there in 2021 when Omicron was discovered. But every time I've had to see a doctor there, I've been pleasantly surprised. Private hospitals and clinics offer good health care at great prices. While I pay $200 for a consultation with a gastroenterologist and $8,000 for a colonoscopy stateside, I can get the same service and procedure for just $100 and $800, respectively, in Cape Town. I've also found a family-owned pharmacy in Sea Point willing to refill my prescriptions when I run out, and the plastic surgeon who gives me Botox in Green Point is happy to write a prescription for metronidazole, an antibiotic that treats both bacteria and parasitic infections when I can't outrun the runs. If you're going on safari in South Africa, there's no need to worry about the bathroom situation. 'Watering a tree' is a rite of passage on any game drive. If nature's call requires going number two, simply use a 'wag bag,' a portable toilet in a pocket-size pouch you can buy on Amazon and at most outdoor retailers. Usually, your guide will check behind the tree (and up in it) first to make sure there are no dangerous animals enjoying its shade. Safari camps also pride themselves on offering guests a loo with a view. At Royal Malewane, in the Limpopo Province, I watched giraffes and baboons from my porcelain throne. And at its sister property, The Silo Hotel, floor-to-ceiling pillowed-glass windows in the bathroom boast panoramic vistas of Table Mountain's iconic peaks and the dramatic Atlantic coastline. Cape Town International Airport's best-kept secret, meanwhile, is this unisex corner stall in the business lounge, where you can watch planes land and take off while taking your time on the toilet. Can the pilots or passengers on the planes see you? I'm not sure. But even if they can, why feel embarrassed? No one gets through life without going number two. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler The Latest Travel News and Advice Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips Stop Counting the Countries You Visit How Safe Is Flying Today? 5 Things Experts Want Travelers to Know The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Worldwide
Condé Nast Traveler
a day ago
- Health
- Condé Nast Traveler
Why South Africa Is the Best Country to Visit If You Have Digestive Issues
After visiting all seven continents, I've concluded there are two types of anxious travelers: those who need to know where to find the closest emergency exit and those who need the location of the nearest restroom. I'm the latter. For me and my fellow passengers living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a group of digestive conditions including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—going to the bathroom is the emergency. At age 17, when I should have been on a senior class trip, I was in the hospital getting a colonoscopy. I opened my college acceptance letter while camped out on the toilet in my parents' bathroom at our farm in Montana. It's hard to celebrate receiving a full-ride scholarship to your dream school in New York City when you're not sure you'll be well enough to go. But, fortunately, with the help of modern medicine, I made it to the Big Apple. In fact, living in Queens—where more than 800 languages are spoken—inspired me to become a travel writer. Katie Jackson poses in front of Lion's Head mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Katie Jackson Crohn's disease may be a life sentence, but I haven't let my diagnosis rule my life. If anything, getting diagnosed with a chronic condition was the catalyst I needed to realize I couldn't count on tomorrow. When it comes to travel, as long as I'm in remission, today is the day. In the last four months, I've zip-lined in Costa Rica, logged 20,000-step days in Paris, skied in the Italian Alps, swam with manta rays in the Maldives, and spent a week on a wine farm in South Africa—which I consider the best country to visit if you have a digestive disorder. In fact, I've traveled to South Africa so often in the past 10 years that immigration is starting to give me some serious side-eye. I even convinced my mom, who also has Crohn's disease but hates to travel, to spend two weeks with me in Cape Town and Kruger National Park. She loved it. That's because out of all 70-something countries I've visited, no country welcomes Crohnies—or anyone with IBD—quite like the Rainbow Nation. Where to find toilets South Africa can swallow nearly three Californias. When I talk about the country, I'm referring to Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as safari camps, wine country, and other traveler-friendly destinations. The first thing I love about South Africa is I've never had to pay to use a public toilet. Meanwhile, in Norway, I averaged at least $20 a day on bathroom breaks at public toilets that only opened with a credit card swipe. I did just read that a Durban shopping center is implementing a new restroom fee but it's just 2 ZAR (about 10 cents). I don't know of any Cape Town shopping centers or malls that charge. Plus, the city maintains more than 75 public restrooms, mostly found along the promenade and in tourist areas. That said, I usually just duck into a shopping center, a petrol station if I'm road-tripping, or a restaurant where I know there will be toilet paper and soap. Currently, the US dollar remains strong in South Africa, and I can afford to patronize eateries multiple times per day just to use their facilities. The Picnickery at Spier Wine Farm provides picnic blankets and baskets brimming with curated treats that accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences. Spier What to eat (and drink) Food is also inexpensive, and it's easy to find gut-friendly options. I'd trade a kidney for the recipe for the homemade gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate brownies sold in the Picnickery at Spier Wine Farm. Yes, South Africa is so idyllic they have picnickeries where you can purchase freshly baked bread (some made with 'celiac-certified flour'), vegan cheese you'd never guess was made from nuts, and organic Sauvignon Blanc. Although she doesn't condone drinking, my gastroenterologist says dry wines, which are low in residual sugars, are best for people with irritable bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's. For fast food, I hit up Kauai, a wellness-themed franchise featuring burgers, wraps, bowls, and salads. Look for the flagship locations, because they have make-your-own menus where you can customize your meal. That said, I've never had a waiter give me side-eye in South Africa when I asked for a substitution. And unlike in some cultures, where it's considered rude to decline food offered to you by a local, here they don't get too offended. For example, I like to support the country's ethical township tours, which bring visitors to settlements formed under the apartheid government to enforce segregation. But I usually don't eat the food offered to me. As tempting as it may be, I just can't afford to take any chances while on the road. In case of an emergency I won't sugarcoat it: I've gotten sick in South Africa. I was there in 2021 when Omicron was discovered. But every time I've had to see a doctor there, I've been pleasantly surprised. Private hospitals and clinics offer good health care at great prices. While I pay $200 for a consultation with a gastroenterologist and $8,000 for a colonoscopy stateside, I can get the same service and procedure for just $100 and $800, respectively, in Cape Town. I've also found a family-owned pharmacy in Sea Point willing to refill my prescriptions when I run out, and the plastic surgeon who gives me Botox in Green Point is happy to write a prescription for metronidazole, an antibiotic that treats both bacteria and parasitic infections when I can't outrun the runs. Built atop a former grain silo, the Silo Hotel is a unique property with stunning views of Cape Town. The Silo Loos with views If you're going on safari in South Africa, there's no need to worry about the bathroom situation. 'Watering a tree' is a rite of passage on any game drive. If nature's call requires going number two, simply use a 'wag bag,' a portable toilet in a pocket-size pouch you can buy on Amazon and at most outdoor retailers. Usually, your guide will check behind the tree (and up in it) first to make sure there are no dangerous animals enjoying its shade. Safari camps also pride themselves on offering guests a loo with a view. At Royal Malewane, in the Limpopo Province, I watched giraffes and baboons from my porcelain throne. And at its sister property, The Silo Hotel, floor-to-ceiling pillowed-glass windows in the bathroom boast panoramic vistas of Table Mountain's iconic peaks and the dramatic Atlantic coastline. Cape Town International Airport's best-kept secret, meanwhile, is this unisex corner stall in the business lounge, where you can watch planes land and take off while taking your time on the toilet. Can the pilots or passengers on the planes see you? I'm not sure. But even if they can, why feel embarrassed? No one gets through life without going number two. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Health
- Buzz Feed
16 People Who Were Stuck In Comas Share What Happened
The internet can give you the behind-the-scenes of just about anything, so if you were ever curious about what it's like to be in a coma, you're about to find out. A while back, people of the BuzzFeed Community revealed what it's like to be in a coma — and their experiences are truly wild. Here's what they had to say: "During COVID, I was in a coma for 32 days. I can honestly say I don't remember anything. No light nor darkness — just nonexistent. Remembering nothingness should be terrifying, right? But it was actually liberating; I no longer fear death." "I had a back surgery, and two days later, they did a mylogram and dragged bacteria into my spine. I ended up with bacterial meningitis and was in a coma for 28 days. I felt as though I was in a warm, calm, benevolent place when, in fact, I was thrashing in pain. When I finally woke up, I was in pain for a couple of days. I only remembered my close friend talking to me directly into my ear. All in all, it was a pleasant experience." "I was in a coma for a short period. When I woke up, it was like no time had passed, and I remembered nothing. I had to remember how to do everything again: walk, talk, eat, go to the bathroom, etc. I was told what happened, which I had no memory of, and I was even told I died and they had to fight to bring me back. However, as time passes, I have flashbacks of memories of everything. I remember bits and pieces, and I'm connecting the dots. I can remember A LOT from when I was asleep." "I have a friend who was in a coma for several days after multiple rattlesnake bites. Two things she told me stood out the most: It was very peaceful, and she saw all the dogs she had ever had again. Secondly, she heard the doctor say she had a 30% chance of survival, so she decided to show him she was going to make it." "I was in a coma for a little over a month due to sepsis following a perforated ulcer in my GI tract. I don't remember hearing anyone, although family and friends read to me, played recorded videos, etc. I remember 'being' in a dim, small room with velvet-flocked wallpaper, and 'being' in an Orange Julius in a mall food court with strangers. Then, I heard my mom say she was leaving on Thursday. I woke up and thought two days had passed." "A friend of mine was in a coma for six months after he had thrombosis from nonstop traveling for work for days. He said the entire time he was out, he dreamt that he was floating in the ocean, chasing his Hermes trunk luggage. Turns out, his sister had put an ocean sound machine by his bed for six months." "I was in a coma for four days. When I woke up, everyone was talking about the baby boy I had. I had lost my long-term memory and didn't even remember being pregnant. My son was at the children's hospital in the NICU. I delivered him via C-section at 29 weeks. All this was due to me having Crohn's disease (which I found out after I woke up); my colon had ruptured during my pregnancy. My husband said I was talking like a child when I first woke up." "I was in a coma for 11 days from a severe brain injury. I don't remember being in a coma or waking up from a coma. I lost several years of memories prior to the coma, and my brain didn't really start to 'retain' information again until about six weeks after I came out of the coma. I'm told that my personality changed afterward. I had to rebuild most areas of my life. It sucked, but it was probably a good thing." "A friend of mine was in a six-month coma after an accident. Afterward, he made sure to tell everyone around him to talk to people in a coma because they can hear you. BUT he noted that they should always tell the person in a coma what happened, where they are, and what's happening to them because he said that his moments of lucidity were mixed with some truly horrifying dreams — and he had trouble distinguishing between what was real and what were dreams." "This is really bizarre, but my uncle — a very serious, strict, and rather dry man — had an accident and went into a coma a few years back. He never believed anything he couldn't touch, no talks about souls, or anything similar. But he was in a coma for a few weeks until he woke up and had this crazy AF story. He said he saw himself in a bubble, floating around in a white place, and it was peaceful and beautiful. But then, he said there were other bubbles he could see around him, and they had other people in them. He distinctly remembered a black-haired woman singing in the bubble closest to his, until one day, her bubble burst, and she disappeared. When he woke up, he could give a very clear description of her body, age, and all that. Now here's the wild part..." "I was in a coma for three days after a car accident where I hit my head. Pretty much, I was driving then I saw the color purple, and then I woke up three days later. There really was nothing. It's not even like sleeping because when you wake up from sleeping, you know you were asleep. It is like blinking; one second you are doing something, then the next something totally different. I do have a vague memory of being on a table with a cute guy wiping my nose and it hurting really bad. I remember saying, 'You are super cute,' but that's all." "A friend of ours fell into a coma at age 25 (around 1992) and woke up at age 36 (around 2002). She was a Rhodes Scholar nominee (I think, second-hand information) and quite brilliant. She was still 25 mentally — as if everything was just on pause. Her body was really well-preserved; she's really fun and cool and sort of the ultimate cougar. Plus, she totally woke up to the internet." "I spent eight days in a coma last year after a particularly traumatic surgery, my waking thoughts were wondering if I had died or made it. I couldn't open my eyes, and I was on a medical air mattress, so I felt like I was floating; this lead me to think that I had died, and I remember thinking it wasn't so bad and wondering if my dad would come find me. Once I realized that I was still alive, I thought I had been injured fighting in a war and worried that my wife might not know I was still alive. Trying to communicate with the nurses while intubated and drugged was very difficult." "I was in a coma for four days from bacterial meningitis. When I woke up, I was completely deaf! I had to communicate with my parents and doctors with a notepad and pen. Some hearing gradually returned in my left ear, but my right ear is still 100% deaf to this day." "My wife was in a medically induced coma for four days. She had a reaction to contrast dye, and her heart stopped for 20 minutes. For nearly three months, she was confabulating about her long-dead parents. She would speak about them like they were in the next room. Or, she would say her daughter or brother they hadn't. Over and over, she thought her mom was alive, then her dad. Drove me nuts having to (gently) correct her many times per day. She would come up with amazing tales about what people (relatives, friends, neighbors) were doing, what they said — truly creative fiction. Three months later, she began to come back." And finally... "I was in a coma for about two weeks following a cardiac arrest as a teen. I was technically dead for over an hour, in fact. People often ask me if I could hear my family talking to me or if I was dreaming. The answer is 'No.' There is a huge hole in my memory beginning about two weeks before the coma through a week after 'waking up.' And waking up is in quotes because I would wake up, ask a bunch of semi-incoherent questions, fall back under, then wake up again and ask the exact same questions, in the exact same order. Repeat six or seven times." If you (or someone you know) have ever been stuck in a coma, what was it like? Feel free to share your story in the comments, or use this anonymous form below.
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY - Walking in Support of the 322,000+ people in Canada with Crohn's or colitis Français
Every 48 minutes – another Canadian is diagnosed with Crohn's or colitis; by 2035, 470,000+ Canadians will be living with IBD TORONTO, May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - WHAT: On Sunday, June 1, 2025, Crohn's and Colitis Canada, along with Canada's Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) community, will participate in Gutsy Walk, a national fundraising event that supports the 322,000+ people living with Crohn's or colitis. Gutsy Walk, Crohn's and Colitis Canada's largest fundraising initiative, raises funds that go directly towards national research, advocacy, and patient programs. WHO: Those living with Crohn's or colitis, community members, friends, family and local representatives. WHEN: Sunday, June 1, 2025. Event start times may vary by location. WHERE: 30+ locations nationwide – from coast to coast. To register a team, donate and view locations, visit: WHY: There is no cure for Crohn's or colitis. Treatment focuses on achieving and maintaining remission, minimizing complications, preventing lasting intestinal damage, and improving quality of life. Crohn's and colitis are lonely diseases, with stigma and isolation added onto physical symptoms. SPOKESPERSON QUOTES: Jayda Sutton of Oakville, ON: Longstanding participant who lives with colitis and is the Ontario Provincial Honourary Chair. "I walk to honour my journey, my son Grayson who passed away at eight months gestation due to complications related to my colitis, my daughter Alyssa, my husband Chris, my parents and everyone who has stood with me. I want to use my story to highlight the quiet victories – getting back up when you feel defeated." Kate Lee, VP, Research & Patient Programs, Crohn's and Colitis Canada:"Gutsy Walk is a celebration of resilience. These are isolating diseases, which makes Gutsy Walk an important moment for those affected to come together and contribute to a better future for themselves." We are on a relentless journey to cure Crohn's and colitis and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by these diseases. Get the latest Gutsy Walk information on Instagram and Facebook - @gutsywalk and @getgutyscanada, as well as For information on Crohn's and Colitis Canada, visit
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
MEDIA ADVISORY - Walking in Support of the 322,000+ people in Canada with Crohn's or colitis
INTERVIEW & PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES Every 48 minutes – another Canadian is diagnosed with Crohn's or colitis; by 2035, 470,000+ Canadians will be living with IBD TORONTO, May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - WHAT: On Sunday, June 1, 2025, Crohn's and Colitis Canada, along with Canada's Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) community, will participate in Gutsy Walk, a national fundraising event that supports the 322,000+ people living with Crohn's or colitis. Gutsy Walk, Crohn's and Colitis Canada's largest fundraising initiative, raises funds that go directly towards national research, advocacy, and patient programs. WHO: Those living with Crohn's or colitis, community members, friends, family and local representatives. WHEN: Sunday, June 1, 2025. Event start times may vary by location. WHERE: 30+ locations nationwide – from coast to coast. To register a team, donate and view locations, visit: WHY: There is no cure for Crohn's or colitis. Treatment focuses on achieving and maintaining remission, minimizing complications, preventing lasting intestinal damage, and improving quality of life. Crohn's and colitis are lonely diseases, with stigma and isolation added onto physical symptoms. SPOKESPERSON QUOTES: Jayda Sutton of Oakville, ON: Longstanding participant who lives with colitis and is the Ontario Provincial Honourary Chair. "I walk to honour my journey, my son Grayson who passed away at eight months gestation due to complications related to my colitis, my daughter Alyssa, my husband Chris, my parents and everyone who has stood with me. I want to use my story to highlight the quiet victories – getting back up when you feel defeated." Kate Lee, VP, Research & Patient Programs, Crohn's and Colitis Canada: "Gutsy Walk is a celebration of resilience. These are isolating diseases, which makes Gutsy Walk an important moment for those affected to come together and contribute to a better future for themselves." ABOUT CROHN'S AND COLITIS CANADA We are on a relentless journey to cure Crohn's and colitis and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by these diseases. Get the latest Gutsy Walk information on Instagram and Facebook - @gutsywalk and @getgutyscanada, as well as For information on Crohn's and Colitis Canada, visit To request visuals or coordinate interviews with Gutsy Walk participants or Crohn's and Colitis Canada, please contact: Alexandra SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Canada View original content to download multimedia:
