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Stomach Pain and Diarrhea – The Traveller’s Guide

Nobody likes getting hiccups, but at least you can keep your mouth shut and wait for them to pass. When your digestive system starts acting up, though, there’s no way to discreetly ignore it and go about your day. Sometimes, this happens on a workday, but for others, it could be right in the middle of an exciting trip abroad—where traveler’s diarrhea is the last thing you want interrupting your plans. Exploring new destinations often means trying local cuisine, and certain regions pose a greater risk for traveler’s diarrhea than others. So, what can you take to stop diarrhea? The best medicine for the job is Xifaxan.

No matter how careful you are while traveling, sometimes catching a “bug” is unavoidable. And it’s not just contaminated food that can cause trouble—unsafe drinking water can be just as much of a culprit. These “bugs” refer to bacterial infections, and while some can be quite severe, the kind that causes traveler’s diarrhea is usually easier to treat. That’s why the right medication works quickly when taken as directed.

The real concern with a severe case of traveler’s diarrhea is dehydration, which can drain your energy and make it tough to enjoy your trip as planned. If you’re also dealing with jet lag, it can make the situation even worse—but there are ways to recover from jet lag faster. When the issue is in your gut, though, the key is to take the right medication as soon as possible and push through the short window before it starts working to eliminate the bacteria causing your symptoms.

We’ll dive deeper into traveler’s diarrhea, how to prevent it, and how to get rid of it as fast as possible. After all, when you’re on vacation, you want to focus on the experience—not hunting for the nearest restroom. Xifaxin is also prescribed as a treatment for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) in cases where excessive bacteria accumulate due to surgical complications. However, its most common use remains as a go-to medication for diarrhea.

Local Immunity and Why Travelers Get Sick

You might assume that if something makes one person sick, it would have the same effect on everyone else. But when it comes to traveler’s diarrhea, that’s not necessarily the case. It’s a fair question—why don’t the locals get sick as often as visitors do? The answer lies in immunity. Their immune systems are already accustomed to dealing with the bacteria commonly found in their environment. Simply put, they’ve built up a tolerance over time. If they were to visit your home country, they might find themselves just as vulnerable to unfamiliar bacteria as you are in theirs.

For those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), traveler’s diarrhea can be even more uncomfortable, often leading to heightened irritation, pain, and an increased urgency to go. If you have IBS or a sensitive digestive system, it’s a smart move to get a prescription for diarrhea medication before your trip—especially if you’re headed to regions like Central America or other destinations where traveler’s diarrhea is more common. The same precaution is worth considering for individuals recovering from surgery, as dehydration and fatigue can pose an even greater risk in these situations.

Smart Tips to Avoid Traveler’s Diarrhea

The ideal scenario, of course, is to avoid traveler’s diarrhea altogether. As mentioned earlier, that’s not always easy, and it’s not as simple as picking a restaurant that looks cleaner or more upscale. However, following these key guidelines can significantly lower your chances of dealing with this unpleasant and disruptive condition:

• Avoid eating from street vendors.

• Steer clear of unpasteurized milk and dairy products—including ice cream.

• Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, fish, or shellfish.

• Be cautious with moist foods left at room temperature, as they may not be safe.

• Stick to well-cooked foods that are served hot.

• Opt for fruits and vegetables you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges, and avocados. Fruits that can’t be peeled, like grapes and berries, may carry more risk.

One final tip: in certain regions, it’s best to drink only bottled water and be mindful when showering—keeping your mouth closed can help prevent accidental ingestion of contaminated water.

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