How to Protect your Tummy from Traveller’s Diarrhoea
When you travel, do you like to immerse yourself in the local culture and try the local cuisine? Eating local food is definitely delicious and memorable but you want to remember it for the right reasons! You don’t want to remember that meal that has left you hanging out in the bathroom, hugging the toilet bowl!
Traveller’s diarrhoea can affect many people when they travel. Symptoms of traveller’s diarrhoea include loose and watery stools, tummy cramps, nausea and vomiting. It is caused by eating contaminated food or water and can cause havoc to your travel plans!
Here are some tips to ensure you have a healthy trip and say goodbye to traveller’s diarrhoea:
Water: Opt for bottled water or boiled water as tap water can harbour bugs. It is best not to use tap water when brushing your teeth, make sure not to drink the water when you’re in the shower and be careful of iced drinks! When eating salad and fruits make sure it’s been washed with bottled or boiled water.
Delicious food: Make sure your meal is cooked thoroughly and served steaming hot! Avoid raw and undercooked dishes.
Handy Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitiser or antibacterial wipes when hand washing facilities are not readily available.
Don’t forget to pack items that can help you manage your symptoms:
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS) to replenish fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
- Anti-diarrheal medication to provide temporary relief from symptoms.
- Over-the-counter stomach cramp medication.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers for fever.
- Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer for maintaining good hygiene.
Antibiotics: Which one is best for you? Visit us or your doctor to check if you require antibiotics as this will depend on your destination and medical conditions.
Probiotics: There are many probiotics on the market not all target traveller’s diarrhoea. There are a couple specific probiotics strains that can prevent traveller’s diarrhoea. Prevention is always better than cure! Ask us which one is the right one for you!
When should you get medical help? Traveller’s diarrhoea in most cases, can be self managed. However, you should seek extra help when you have any of the following:
- Your symptoms worsen or persist for more than a few days.
- You have severe abdominal pain or high fever.
- You notice blood in your stools.
- You become severely dehydrated, with symptoms such as extreme thirst, dry mouth, and decreased urine output.
Don’t let travellers’ diarrhoea ruin your trip! Follow those simple tips to dodge it! Make an appointment with Travel Healthy today to learn more about how you can protect yourself and enjoy a safe and healthy journey.
