When travelling abroad the most common stomach complaint is diarrhoea. Most cases are due to the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Always attempt to have your condition diagnosed by a medically qualified person before commencing antibiotic treatment.

REHYDRATION

This is most important when dealing with diarrhoea, as the principal danger of diarrhoea is dehydration. Use electrolyte solutions e.g. Dioralyte, Electrolade. If the diarrhea is mild and not very watery, then all that is required for most healthy adults is to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids. In all forms of moderate to severe diarrhoea the use of these solutions is strongly recommended. They contain the correct balance of components to allow the bowel to reabsorb the maximum volume of fluid. They should be taken regularly as stated on the label. If you are dehydrated and too ill to drink, medical advice must be sought immediately.

MAKING YOUR OWN SOLUTION

If you find yourself without any electrolyte solution and are in an emergency situation, you can make your own solution by using eight level teaspoons of sugar with half a teaspoon of salt in one litre of water.

If you are in a hot climate and you are running a fever, you can lose a lot of fluid in sweat making it more likely for diarrhoea to cause severe dehydration.

ANTI DIARRHOEA TABLETS

Diarrhoea tablets will slow up the diarrhoea and therefore relieve the symptoms for a short period of time. However, they can also cause more problems than they cure, as slowing the flow of diarrhoea may hold the offending organism in the bowel, which will prolong the infection. Children must never take them under ten years of age.

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU SUFFER FROM ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

Blood mixed in with the diarrhoea
Diarrhoea lasting for more than ten days
A large amount of fluid is lost in a short period of time
Fever

This information is to complement and not replace the relationship with your family doctor. Always discuss your travel health requirements with your regular doctor or practice nurse.