Travel Health
Stomach upsets, often called Delhi Belly, are a common problem travelers suffer,
particularly in developing countries. This is primarily because of food
hygiene standards, such as cooks and waiters not washing their hands. Some
stomach problems also come about when we change to a new diet, but this eases
with time.
Its normal when you start a trip to have a few tummy troubles, especially if visiting somewhere like India. Take it slowly with the spicy food, and within a few weeks your body should be able to cope with anything.
Stomach troubles and intestine problems can range from simple diarrhea to extreme stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea. Here are some tips on what to do if you do get unwell, and tips on how to avoid the problems in the first place.
How to deal with stomach problems when traveling
If you get unwell you probably have bacteria in your system. Your body will try and get rid of the bacteria as quick as possible. These tips will help.
- Rest - stay in bed, do very little. Re-hydration is one of the most important factors, so get lots of water and fruit juice from a reliable source.
- Go with the flow - if your body wants to flush itself out then let it happen. Imodium and similar drugs just bung you up. Only take them if you have to travel, otherwise just keep visiting the toilet.
- Keep eating - even though you might not be able to face food, you need to eat something. The best thing to eat is plain boiled rice, bananas and lassi drinks. Rice and bananas are easily digestible and full of energy. Lassi drinks are made from yogurt or curd which contain natural antibiotics. These antibiotics will fight the problems in your stomach and intestines. Stick to this plain diet and avoid spicy foods for a few days after you get back to normal, .
- Get antibiotics - if the problems remain after a few days go to a pharmacist and ask for antibiotics. These will fight the bacteria in your system. The antimalarial drug Doxycycline is a strong antibiotic (thats how it fights malaria) so keep taking these, but not on an empty stomach, so eat rice and bananas first.
- Wash you hands regularly - its surprising how you can introduce bacteria to the body without knowing.
How to avoid stomach problems when traveling
Its much better to avoid stomach problems than to deal with them. Here are some tips that should help.
- Drink a lassi a day - lassi drinks contain natural yogurt or curd which contain antibiotics. Drink one a day, at lunch time, to build up your antibiotics. Don't drink too many as they can bung you up.
- Avoid tap water - only drink bottled water - check it is sealed as many people refill bottles from the tap and resell them. Or drink water from a safe source,such as a safe refilling point which are more common in Asia now. When buying bottled water check the seal in the shop. It is been opened demand a replacement. If you later find the bottom has been opened tip the water away.
- Wash you hands regularly - and especially before meals. It's surprising how you can introduce bacteria to the body without knowing.
- Avoid street food vendors - I know the temptation is too much to resist, but the most likely place to be served contaminated food is at street stalls. I eat at street stalls though, but only from those that have clean utensils, show some hygiene levels, and particularly those where locals eat. If women with children buy from a street stall that's the best recommendation you can get.
- Check restaurant kitchens - Its fairly easy to gauge a restaurants food hygiene from the waiters actions and the conditions of the kitchens. If you are not sure about a place don't eat there. You can always ask to see the kitchen. If you think thats a bit forward order a drink only and then try and get a look at the kitchen on the way to the toilet. In the toilet check for hand washing facilities. If there aren't any where are the staff washing their hands? Time to pass on the food.
- Avoid too much spice - eating too much spicy food can upset your stomach and cause different problems. Take things slowly at the start of the trip, and build up to that all Indian diet.
Don't get put off from traveling because of these problems. They are rare, and as your trip goes on they will ease.
Know a little can help a lot when you are traveling. Here are my travel tips to make your trips easier, less stressful and more fun.
It is essential that you take care of your health when traveling. Having travel insurance is not enough. I'll explain the basic everyday steps you should take to stay safe, healthy and continue having fun.
Travel insurance is essential for your travels. No matter what your destination or duration of your stay you must get good travel insurance.
Travel insurance typically covers your possessions and medical and legal cover. It is the later of these two that is of importance. If your bag gets stolen, lost or whatever, it is fairly easy to replace the items you absolutely need, and keep traveling. Your health is not replaceable. Becoming ill overseas can, and often is, a very expensive and unhappy situation. Having good travel insurance means that no matter what happens to you in the world, your medical and legal costs will be covered. Costs get really high if you have to be flown home, but good travel insurance covers this.
Travel insurance basics
- Make sure your insurance covers repatriation (being flown home if necessary). This is important!
- Make sure you are covered for all of the countries you are visiting.
- Make sure any sports you will be doing, such as skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing or mountain biking are covered in the policy.
- If you are traveling with an expensive camera or laptop make sure they are covered.
- Concentrate on the medical cover offered by the policy, possessions are much less important.
Recommended Travel Insurers
All of the quotes below are for a single adult traveler, backpacker or gap year policy, with worldwide cover, for 15th Nov 2007 to 14th Nov 2008 (1 year). All prices include tax, and are the final price to pay. This information is just a guide.
| Company | Details | Excluding baggage |
Including baggage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | ||||
| World Nomads | Travel insurance specialist | $480 | $480 |  |
| World Travel Center | Searches all major insurance providers | $566 | $566 | |
| UK | ||||
| eTravelInsurance | Travel insurance specialist | £153.95 | £153.95 | |
| Go Travel Insurance | Travel insurance specialist | £159.80 | £199.75 | |
| Bupa UK travel cover | Leading UK health care specialist | £171.90 | £224.10 | |
| ClubDirect | Travel insurance specialist | N/A | £219.82 | |
| Flexicover | Travel insurance specialist | £175.00 | £235.00 | |
| Columbus Direct | Travel insurance specialist | N/A | £231.39 | |
| JS Insurance | Leading UK insurer | £253.50 | £507.00 | |
Getting the right immunizations before traveling is perhaps the most important part of trip preperation. Not taking basic precautions and not getting the corrent immunizations can result in sever illness, having to terminate your trip, and often fatalities. I'll discuss what diseases are common around world, which ones apply to you, and what you should do to avoid them.
Today I went to my doctors surgery and found out I need some serious immunizations, and they will cost me quite a lot.
