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How to treat traveller’s tummy while on vacay

Leisure and Travel

Traveller’s tummy is a stomach upset one gets while travelling and is mainly caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) between 30 to 70% of travellers get traveller’s tummy. This, however, depends on where they go and at what time of year you travel to those specific areas. Countries are generally divided into 3 risk groups: high, intermediate, and low.

Traveller’s tummy is not that serious but can be very unpleasant. When you travel to a place where the sanitary practices are different from your own back at home then you will have a higher risk of getting travellers tummy.

The symptoms of traveller's diarrhoea include:

? Abrupt onset of diarrhoea

? Fever

? Nausea and vomiting

? Bloating

? Urgent need to have a bowel movement

? Malaise (weakness or discomfort)

? Explosive and painful gas

? Cramps

? Loss of appetite

Below are some of the precautions that one can take to treat traveller’s tummy while far from home.

1. Fluid replacement

Your first form of defence is rehydration. With mild cases of traveller's diarrhoea drinking fluids that are safe like boiled or bottled water will help ease the stomach upset.  Where children are suffering from traveller’s tummy, visit a doctor for treatment.

The most effective form of treatment that replaces fluids and salts lost from diarrhoea is the use of oral rehydration solution (ORS). ORS is made by adding one packet to treated water and the solution should be taken within 12 hours if not refrigerated and within 24 hours if it is refrigerated.

2. Antibiotics

Taking antibiotics may shorten the length of the stomach upset. Antibiotics, which are effective ways of treating traveller’s tummy, should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

3. Antidiarrheal agents

Antidiarrheal agents are best-used hand in hand with antibiotics. They are however not suitable if the cause of your stomach upset is dysentery or if there are any signs of stool in your blood.

It is important to stay hydrated when taking antidiarrheal agents as they can cause constipation

Stop using these agents if after 48 hours you are still experiencing abdominal pain and you still have signs of diarrhoea.

4. Avoid dehydration

Many times, traveller’s tummy is caused by dehydration. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution are the best way to replace the lost fluids. These solutions not only contain water and salts but also have glucose to enhance absorption in the intestinal tract.

Bottled oral rehydration products are available in chemists in many countries and many pharmacies have their own brands. Mix the powder with bottled water or boiled water following the directions on the package.

If you cannot find these products you can make your home remedy, suitable for both adults and children, by mixing these ingredients together:

? ½ teaspoon salt

? ½ teaspoon baking soda

? 4 tablespoons sugar

? 1-litre safe drinking water

Drink the homemade remedy in small amounts throughout the day as a supplement as long as the dehydration persists. Drinking in small amount reduces the risk of vomiting. Breast-feeding infants also can drink the solution but should continue nursing on demand.

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