A Natural Approach To Health

Living With Traveler’s Diarrhea

I had a question the other day about traveler’s diarrhea.

Traveler’s diarrhea is a stomach and intestinal infection happening as a result of unsanitary handling of food and water.

Food handlers who don’t wash their hands after they use the bathroom can transmit the infection to people who eat the contaminated food.

The risk of infection varies depending on where you eat – from fairly low risk in private homes to high risk in food from street vendors.

Symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea include:

>Abrupt onset of diarrhea.

>Nausea and vomiting.

>Bloating.

>Urgent need to have a bowel movement.

>Malaise (weakness or discomfort).

>Explosive and painful gas.

>Cramps.

>Loss of appetite.

Traveler’s diarrhea usually lasts from 3-7 days and is rarely life threatening.

Wipe clean and dry the area of the can or bottle to touch your mouth.

Don’t brush your teeth with tap water.

To deal with traveler’s diarrhea it’s important to:

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily to keep hydrated.

*Use blackberry root bark, pau d’arco, and/or raspberry leaves in teas or added to applesauce, bananas, pineapple, or papaya juice.

*Cayenne capsule, take 2-3 times daily, may be beneficial.

*Fenugreek, taken as a tea, lubricates your intestines and reduces fever.

*Ginger tea is good for cramps and abdominal pain.

*Grapefruit seed extract has antiparasitic properties.

*Marshmallow root tea (also known as malva tea) helps calm the stomach and sooth intestinal problems.

*Slippery elm bark, taken in tea or extract form, is soothing to your digestive tract.

*Wild oregano oil contains antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agents.

*Drink plenty of liquids, like hot carob drink, “green drinks,” and plenty of quality water.  Don’t drink very hot or cold liquids.

*The prolonged loss of fluids as a result of diarrhea can lead to dehydration and loss of necessary minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

*Liquid gelatin, clear broth, sodas like ginger ale or flat cola, and weak tea with honey can be substituted for water if necessary.

*Carrot juice is also good, and makes your stools less watery.

*Don’t drink apple juice, as this can make diarrhea worse.

*Most fruit juices are good sources of potassium, except cranberry juice.  Include the potassium-rich juices, but try diluting them with half water until you can tolerate a stronger amount.

*Avoid high-fiber foods, which may stress your digestive system.  Instead, stick to foods that are easy to digest, like cooked potatoes, rice, bananas, applesauce, or toast.

*Drink 3 cups of rice water daily.  To make rice water, boil 1/2 cup of brown rice in 3 cups of water for 45 minutes.  Strain out the rice and drink the water.  Eat the rice as well.  Rice helps to form stools and supplies needed B vitamins.

*Don’t consume any dairy products (except for low-fat soured products).  They’re highly allergenic.  Moreover, diarrhea causes a temporary loss of the enzyme needed to digest lactose (milk sugar).  Limit your intake of fats and foods containing gluten, including barley, oats, rye, and wheat.  Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.

*Let a mild case of diarrhea run its course.  It’s your body’s way of cleaning out toxins, bacteria, and other foreign invaders.  Don’t take any medication to stop diarrhea for at least 2 days.  Stick to a liquid diet for 24 hours to give your bowels a rest.

*Follow safe cooking and eating habits.

*Optiflora may be taken after each severe bout of diarrhea to replenish the “good” bacteria just eliminated.

*Support should be continued for 2-3 months after initial exposure because parasitic eggs can hatch 3-6 weeks later.

*Consider a full parasite, liver and/or colon cleanse.

If you’re dealing with traveler’s diarrhea, try these (100% money-back guarantee):

It’s essential to use:  Vita-Lea, Protein, Optiflora, Garlic, Herb-Lax, DTX.

It’s important to use:  Alfalfa, B-Complex, Vitamin D, Performance.

It’s beneficial to use:  Vitamin C, Stomach Soothing Complex, Immunity Formula.

Please comment below, like, retweet, and share with your friends!

email:  lenay@dickandlenay.com

PS:  If you have any questions about traveler’s diarrhea, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.