Diarrhea and Traveler’s Diarrhea and natural treatments to remedy the pain

Diarrhea can hit you quickly - you might be sitting in the airplane, making a speech at a large convention or trying to relax at the beach - the cramps begin, a gurgling sound like no other sounds out, and you know you only have seconds to make it to the bathroom before you explode, literally. Don’t let diarrhea ruin your trip…vacation….or anytime. Here’s what you can do.

What is diarrhea?

I don’t think I need to get into details. We’ve all had diarrhea at some point in our lives. All we know is it’s painful. The cramps can be relentless. However, you need to know that diarrhea can cause dehydration if you do not stay hydrated. Usually diarrhea will clear up on its own, but the time goes by slowly when you’re in pain.

Diarrhea is usually caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite. It can also be a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease, disease like Crohn’s Disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

If you have frequent problems like diarrhea and constipation, or severe diarrhea, then you need to see your health care provider, as it could be something serious.

Tips for preventing Traveler’s diarrhea

Traveler’s diarrhea usually strikes when you’re on a trip. Here’s some tips to prevent it.

• Stay away from ice made from tap water
• Don’t eat food sold at street vendors
• Refrain from eating rare or raw fish and meat
• Stay away from unpasteurized milk and dairy
• Don’t drink tap water or brush your teeth with it
• Refrain from eating raw fruits or veggies, especially fruit salads and lettuce, unless you’ve peeled and cleaned it yourself

If you do get diarrhea:

1. Make sure you drink liquids - sip on water or anything with electrolytes
2. Eat small bites of salty crackers
3. After 2 days, start eating mild foods
4. Rest
5. Stay away from others if you can
6. Wash your hands frequently - so important for preventing the spread of germs

When you start to feel better and diarrhea is gone:

1. Stay away from caffeine, fruits, alcohol, and spicy foods for at least 48 hours after diarrhea goes away
2. Don’t chew gum with sorbitol
3. Steer clear of dairy products for at least 3 days
4. Yogurt containing L. casei is good for digestive problems

Check your symptoms

If you develop any of these symptoms, you should contact your health care provider.

1. Fever
2. Dehydration
3. Diarrhea for 1-2 weeks
4. Diarrhea becomes severe - you’re passing loose, watery stool every 1-2 hours
5. Blood or black stool
6. Anytime you are worried about the symptoms

 Sources:

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/#points

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/diarrhea-age-12-and-older-home-treatment

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