Traveling for food can be an enjoyable experience, however, there is always a risk of suffering from traveler’s diarrhea which can put an end to the fun. Read on to find out some of the
Traveling for food can be an enjoyable experience, however, there is always a risk of suffering from traveler’s diarrhea which can put an end to the fun. Read on to find out some of the best tips for the prevention of traveler’s diarrhea and how to calmly deal with it if it decides to show its ugly head.
Many travelers have had their share of stomach distress especially if you are visiting countries like Mexico, Vietnam, and India which are obviously famous for their spicy food. However, this situation might happen in developed countries like France or Sweden as well. Traveler’s diarrhea is quite common and there are a few tips to avoid it.
First of all, it is important to understand what is traveler’s diarrhea. You are extremely lucky if you are not aware of the term Traveler’s diarrhea which can mean that either you have a very brave stomach or you have never traveled in your life. When you feel your stomach rumbling and you need to use the bathroom at once that’s when you know that you have the traveler’s diarrhea’s bug. It can be quite disappointing when you experience it for the first time.
It is normally caused by the bacteria found in contaminated food or water or the lack of hygiene in certain places. It does not mean that other countries are unclean, it is more about the difference in bacteria from the ones from your home country. The symptoms can vary from loose stool, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, gas, fatigue, and fever. It can last up to one week which is enough to ruin your holidays.
Tips to prevent Traveler’s diarrhea
200 years ago, a great man named Ben Franklin wisely said that prevention is better than cure. As travelers, you should take these words into great consideration as this philosophy can help you prevent the traveler’s diarrhea.
It is important that you are super careful about the water and food that you eat while you are traveling which does not mean that you should totally avoid street food. It is better to eat street food as you can see the cleanliness of the cooking conditions and the freshness of the food.
Below are some tips to prevent traveler’s diarrhea:
• Always make use of your common sense while you are traveling. If the food that you want to try looks or smells funny, it is better to just avoid it. Just like at home, you want to eat food which is freshly cooked and that hasn’t been sitting for long.
• Don’t even attempt to drink tap water. It is quite obvious that you need to stay hydrated while you travel. It is recommended that you use bottled water even to brush your teeth. You also might want to avoid ice and raw vegetables washed in water.
• Always make sure that the bottles are sealed when you buy bottled water. Well, there are always some vendors who sell bottled water which is simply refilled with tap water. It is better to be careful.
• Wash your hands with soap or make use of a hand sanitizer. Especially if you are in a situation where you have to shake hands or taking a mode of public transport. Even after following all our tips, if you still end up with the traveler’s diarrhea, it is recommended that you plan ahead and pack Travelan for your trip.
Travelan prevents diarrhea before it happens and does not require a prescription. It prevents and fights nasty bacterias when taken in advance. You just need to take one tablet before each meal with bottled water. That way it stays in your digestive system and is ready to fight any diarrhea-causing bacteria.
How to treat traveler’s diarrhea
If diarrhea happens, below are some tips to help salvage your vacation :
• Drink plenty of water in order to re-hydrate your body. Some people opt to drink a sports drink which contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium for this purpose.
• Listen to your body and slow down as necessary. It is important that you rest properly and travel diarrhea will make you feel tired. Rest will only speed up your recovery.
• Make sure that you have ready access to bathroom facilities until you fully recover as you never know when your next attack will be and you will be needing a bathroom.
• When traveling on developing nations, always make sure that you carry your roll of toilet paper.
• Seek medical attention if your situation is aggravating. It is important as you might be needing antibiotics or other treatment. Risky Destinations
Global destinations have been divided into three groups based on risk. Asia (except Japan), the Middle East, Africa (except South Africa), Mexico, Central America and South America are the ones considered as the risky ones. Always be careful when you are traveling across these countries.