Tackling Travel Tummy Troubles: What Works and What Doesn't
Causes of Diarrhea: Identified in Six out of Nineteen Individuals
Berlin (dpa/tmn) - Embarrassing bathroom breaks are avoidable, even on the go. Here's a lowdown on surviving diarrhea while traveling, focusing on solutions backed by expert research and avoiding potential pitfalls.
Over-the-counter medications for diarrhea abound, each with distinct active ingredients. Wondering which ones to trust for stomach bugs like Campylobacter, Salmonella, and more? Enter Stiftung Warentest, your travel companion. They meticulously tested 19 products and shared their findings in the latest issue of their magazine. Here's a quick rundown of their recommendations.
Champions of the League: Electrolyte Mixes and Loperamide
Nine products garnered the "solid choice" rating from Stiftung Warentest. Four electrolyte powders, designed to help restore lost fluids and minerals, are on this list. Remember, they won't speed up the recovery process since they solely address hydration.
Additionally, four products with the active ingredient loperamide and one combo product featuring loperamide and simeticone (for bloating relief) made the cut. Loperamide slows bowel movements, studies suggest that this active ingredient may shorten diarrhea by a day compared to placebo. However, limit loperamide use to just two days without consulting a doctor, as it might delay the elimination of harmful bacteria and toxins.
Proceed with Caution: Medications with Yeast and Activated Charcoal
Some products are conditionally suitable for treating acute diarrhea due to limited scientific support for their therapeutic effects. For instance, three products that rely on yeast to curb harmful gut bacteria are advised with caution, especially for people with weakened immune systems, as yeast may proliferate uncontrollably.
Six products, including the four activated charcoal preparations, received a "little suitable" rating. Their effectiveness for acute diarrhea has not been conclusively proven, with activated charcoal's primary benefit being its ability to bind toxins. In the case of diarrhea, this feature might offer less benefit, according to the testers.
Prevention is Key: Stay Safe on Your Journey
Fancy a taste of local cuisine during your travels? To keep stomach troubles at bay, it's best to steer clear of undercooked meats and fish and avoid ice in drinks. Regular and thorough hand washing also protects you from infections.
If you do fall ill, it's important to stay hydrated. Opt for water, broth, or sweetened tea with salty crackers. While cola is a popular home remedy, its high sugar content could draw water from your blood into the intestines, depriving your body of crucial fluids.
If you notice blood in your stool, a fever, or symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness, it's wise to seek medical help, even while traveling, advises Stiftung Warentest.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, numerous over-the-counter medications for diarrhea exist, and among them, those containing the active ingredient loperamide are recommended by Stiftung Warentest for addressing travel tummy troubles.
- For individuals committed to fitness-and-exercise and a nutritious lifestyle, it's crucial to remember that while electrolyte mixes can help restore lost fluids and minerals during travel, they solely address hydration and do not expedite recovery from stomach bugs.
- In the context of travel, avoiding undercooked meats and fish, as well as ice in drinks, and practicing regular and thorough hand washing are key lifestyle choices for minimizing the risk of traveler's diarrhea.
