It is no secret that one of the best aspects of traveling to Thailand; and to any country for that matter; is being able to gorge on the flavourful local cuisine.
The truth is that up to 70% of travelers leave the country with the memory of constantly running to the restroom, and could probably tell you where every toilet is located in and around the Grand Palace.
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What is occasional diarrhea?
You may already be aware of occasional diarrhea by one of its other well-known monikers; Bali Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge, or simply food poisoning. One thing that is for sure is that if the word “diarrhea” is used to describe a symptom, you know that you are not in for a fun time.
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial pathogens; often foodborne; that infect your gut. This is often a result of the food not being prepared in a clean environment or not being cooked properly. Eating at popular spots; even food stalls; will reduce your risk of falling ill.
Water in Thailand can be contaminated as well which is why even the locals suggest drinking bottled or filtered water. You can find water refill stations near your hotel, hostel, and in residential communities that give you access to filtered water for only 1 baht a litre.
Why travelers have a higher risk of getting sick in Thailand?
While getting occasional diarrhea is not limited to Thailand; it is really common for travelers to become bathroom-bound in the Land of Smiles.
This is due to the tempting food stalls’ lower sanitary conditions. That is not to say that you should NEVER eat at any food stalls as some of the best dishes are only available from a stall.
Think smart; you might not want to have to wait in a long line for food from the popular stall, but you are less likely to get sick from a cart that is constantly cooking food vs. the one with food sitting out and waiting to be eaten.
Ice cubes used to be a large concern around Thailand travelers however, most ice cubes are being made with filtered water in the major cities. If you are worried and would like to take extra precautions, stick with only consuming water from your own water bottles.
Other Digestive Upsets
In addition to experiencing new food and water, travel also brings with it changing timetables, a lack of sleep and various other stresses that can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Abdominal cramps, bloating, uncontrollable gas and loss of appetite are all potential upsets that can make your trip uncomfortable – even if they don’t involve running to the bathroom – and something you want to prepare for, before stepping foot on the plane.
Maintaining a Healthy Digestive System While Traveling
If only there was an affordable, over-the-counter supplement that can help you to support a calm stomach while adventuring. Oh, wait! There is Travelan!
Travelan should be on everyone’s essential packing list when heading to Thailand It can be purchased online through Amazon or from Passport Health Clinics across America.
All you need to do is take one of the small caplets before enjoying your meal and then Travelan’s little antibodies are on the job. They work to promote digestive health by targeting and neutralizing toxic bacteria before it makes you sick.
Travelan isn’t just another cheap sell to travelers that are desperate to avoid the runs and stomach upsets, it is supported by extensive research. One Travelan caplet is packed with naturally occurring antibodies for E. coli that have been shown to not only bind to E.coli but other forms of bacteria that can be found in Thailand.
In layman’s terms, Travelan has got all your bases, gut, and booty covered.
Diarrhea Treatment
I hate to break it to you but if you have fallen victim to diarrhea, your only choice is to wait it out. Take this as a sign from the universe giving you the green light to lay in your room all day and watch Netflix.
Some travelers find taking antidiarrheal medications from the Pharmacy or Drug Store helpful for relief. The most important thing is to take in lots of water.
Since you are losing a lot of fluids and most likely not eating much (due to the loss of appetite) it is important to focus on replacing these electrolytes. Ingesting as much water as you can during this time is crucial but if you can also take electrolyte packets or rehydration salt, it will help your body combat impending dehydration.
If you are keeping hydrated and still experiencing prolonged unusual or painful symptoms, you want to consider visiting a doctor.
Don’t let the fear of getting sick stop you from trying the local cuisine. No one wants to think about their travels and memories that make your stomach churn. Travelan has gotten your back so that you can reminisce about the trip that you planned with no unexpected surprises.
That said, if you’re planning your trip, make sure to bring medicine and prescriptions. If not, do research so that you know exactly how to get medicine overseas.
In Australia, Travelan® is a listed medicine and is specifically indicated to reduce the risk of Travelers’ Diarrhea. It’s available to purchase from Australian pharmacies. In Canada, Travelan® is a licensed natural health product and can be purchased from Canadian pharmacies.
