What is Traveller's Diarrhea and How Do You Treat It?

I think it's important to share all the aspects of traveling, Because everything's not always easy-breezy-beautiful. One of the downsides to traveling I recently experienced was an ailment known as Montezuma's Revenge. It's when you eat those mouth watering entrees or the good smelling street food but regret it the next day. Simply put, it's a bad case of diarrhea.

It can come with many symptoms and usually originates from eating something spoiled or containing bacteria your body isn't familiar with. When I experienced it, I felt a huge knot in my stomach and I was cramping for several DAYS, yes I said days. It wasn't fun at all to say the least. I was trying to catch my return flight from Costa Rica when the cramps really got bad. I needed a solution to my problem and searched every online remedy I could find to treat my symptoms. No one wants to fly 30,000 feet in the air for 6+ hours with stomach cramps and a runny butt.

So here are my recommendations to remedy Traveler's Diarrhea that helped me feel better and stay moderately comfortable for my flight. It wasn't an instant remedy, but I could tell it was doing something positive. These recommendations are based on my experience and what worked for me!

Symptoms I experienced with Traveler's Diarrhea

1. Stomach Cramps

2. Stiff neck/neck pain

3. Diarrhea

4. Nausea

5. Hot Flashes

6. Tiredness

How to treat Traveler's Diarrhea

1. B-R-A-T METHOD

Eating a combination of Bananas, Rice, Apples/Apple Juice, Plain Toast is suggested to help coat the stomach without irritating or causing acid reflux. They are easily digestible so they won't cause more stomach cramps.

I also find that toasted bagels with no butter or cream cheese can help because it sticks to your stomach and soaks up some of your stomach acids. Really any simple, hearty piece of bread will work. Avoid breads that have lots of fiber or whole grains.

2. Pepto Bismol

A tried and true remedy for any upset stomach you might experience while traveling from food or water you've ingested. Y'all know the Pepto Bismol song right? "Nausea, heartburn, indigestion...."

3. Deep Breathing

Sometimes calming your body down by breathing deeply can be the best remedy for you. I find that deep breathing in and out the nose is a great way to settle my stomach or prevent my gag reflex from kicking in when I'm starting to get nauseous.

4. Drink Water

Staying hydrated is important when you're not sick, so it's even more important when you are. Having a runny butt means you're not holding on to liquids as you normally would so you need to make sure you're chugging water and keeping it down whenever you can.

5. Liquid IV

It can be difficult to ingest ANYTHING while dealing with Montezuma's Revenge, so I always make sure when I do get something down that's it's as valuable as possible. Add a little bit of Liquid IV or any hydrator multiplier to your water to help the absorption rate and get you hydrated faster.

Hopefully you never experience this annoying, and sometimes painful sickness while you travel. It can really kill the vibes! But if you do, I hope these tips can help you treat your symptoms and aid in a smooth recovery.

Share this blog post with your friends who love to eat everything on vacation, because they'll need it!