Why does my stomach get messed up when I travel?

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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You can lower your risk of stomach issues on your next trip by:
  1. Drinking plenty of water.
  2. Eating whole foods whenever possible.
  3. Staying physically active.
  4. Managing emotional and physical Stress.
  5. Being mindful about food habits to avoid overeating.


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Stress of Traveling Adjusting to a new schedule when traveling can be stressful for your body. You may be eating at different times, going to bed later, and sleeping less. All of these factors can throw off your normal digestive schedule and lead to stomach issues.

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After returning from a trip, it's important to reset your digestive system. If you're feeling bloated, a post-vacation detox eliminates the sugar and salt cravings you may have developed while away. Hit up the grocery store for whole and nutrient-rich foods, including fresh produce and lean proteins.

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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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During travel, people tend to have higher stress levels and changes in their daily patterns. They may also eat different foods than usual. Any one or a combination of these factors could trigger an IBS flare in some individuals.

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Your doctor may recommend medicines to help lower your chances of getting sick. Taking 2 tablets of Pepto-Bismol 4 times a day before you travel and while you are traveling can help prevent diarrhea.

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Holiday stress. Stress -- triggered by mall shopping, cooking, cleaning, travel, and family conflict -- can cause upset stomach and heartburn. On top of that, many people cope with stress by overeating and drinking too much.

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Jet belly: (noun) the bloated state in which your stomach inflates post-flight. Also, a very unpleasant feeling. May also make you look like you're 3 months pregnant. So how does one prevent this jet belly? Well, it all depends on what you eat on the plane.

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Learn some ways to treat travelers' diarrhea
  1. Drink lots of fluids. If you get diarrhea, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. ...
  2. Take over-the-counter drugs. Several drugs, such as loperamide, can be bought over-the-counter to treat the symptoms of diarrhea. ...
  3. Only take antibiotics if needed.


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Lifestyle and home remedies If you do get traveler's diarrhea, avoid caffeine, alcohol and dairy products, which may worsen symptoms or increase fluid loss. But keep drinking fluids. Drink canned fruit juices, weak tea, clear soup, decaffeinated soda or sports drinks to replace lost fluids and minerals.

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