What is the digestive problem after traveling?

Traveler's diarrhea The primary symptom is indicated by the name, but traveler's diarrhea can also cause abdominal cramping, vomiting and even fever, if the infection is bad enough. This is more common when traveling to certain areas of the world where the risk of gastroenteritis is high, says Dr. Quigley.



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Tummy problems like diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion are all-too-common travel companions. Travel disrupts many of the body's natural rhythms, including digestion says Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Most people improve within 1 to 2 days without treatment and recover completely within a week. However, you can have multiple episodes of traveler's diarrhea during one trip. The most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea are: Suddenly passing three or more looser watery stools a day.

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Although most cases of travelers' diarrhea (TD) are acute and self-limited, a certain percentage of people afflicted will develop persistent (>14 days) gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

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A lack of oxygen or the proverbial thin air, as is common at high altitudes or during flights, can trigger inflammation in the intestinal tract in people with a corresponding predisposition.

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Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, caused by swallowing air as we eat and other processes in the body. However, the pressure in the cabin caused by being at such a high altitude makes any air trapped in your gut expand, which causes you to feel bloated after a flight.

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If you don't treat traveler's diarrhea, it usually will go away in four to five days. But treatment with an antibiotic and loperamide often can cure you within 24 hours. If you are not better after taking antibiotics, talk to your doctor.

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It's possible that traveler's diarrhea may stem from the stress of traveling or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents — such as bacteria, viruses or parasites — are to blame. You typically develop traveler's diarrhea after ingesting food or water contaminated with organisms from feces.

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Although being on vacation may help to relieve stress and improve mood, the positive effects may not always last on returning home. People may experience emotional discomfort, nostalgia, or an increase in stress when returning to their regular routine, work, or studies.

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