What do you do to prepare your stomach before going on a long period of travelling?

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Bs7folk@reddit

Brings back memories... Had to take an explosive shit into a plastic bag on a full bus of about 6 hours surrounded by people, as the driver wouldn't pull over. I begged and begged but he was having none of it. No one batted an eyelid which was the funniest part. I had to stuff it into my shorts to make an adult nappy of sorts. Then managed to crack a side window enough to throw the bag out.

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Serious-Fall9088@reddit

No one smelled that? Lol

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Fit-Pass-2398@reddit (OP)

That’s the stuff of my nightmares. I’m so sorry you had to go through that!

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Bs7folk@reddit

All good my friend. I laugh about it now and it's a story that comes up once a year with my friends haha.

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I_want_roti@reddit

Personally, I do absolutely nothing. I've just embraced it and never had any issues. Obviously, take some obvious precautions on bottled water especially if tap isn't safe. I've never gone to the levels of fussing about salad leaves. If something doesn't look hygienic enough then don't eat there, stick to proper restaurants but honestly most things are fine. I've travelled all over the place including street food in India and had no issues. Maybe take it easy to start, especially if you have a self declared sensitive stomach but the only way you'll ever improve that is exposure. So maybe start at less questionable places and build from there. Part of the experience of the travel is the food which you want to try (unless it's Turkiye because the food there is nothing special - sorry you won't be missing much) I would probably advise taking some pre/probiotic drinks like yakult for some time before as well as bringing usual medications, painkillers and imodium as a precaution.

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Fit-Pass-2398@reddit (OP)

I have IBS I cant do “absolutely nothing”. I’d rather caution and prepare than be in so much pain.

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I_want_roti@reddit

That's fair. Obviously that's probably context that would've been useful to know! It makes more sense to have a higher caution to it in that case. I don't have IBS or know anyone with it so whilst I'd love to help there, unfortunately I can't but I hope you find what you need!

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-_-___--_-___@reddit

You should have put that in the title when asking the question as then you will get replies specifically considering your medical condition. There is no point in following what people do that don't have the same condition as it won't help you.

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miss-mercatale@reddit

I think you are being very sensible. My parents travelled around India about 30 years ago and my Dad being a veterinarian took every medication he thought they’d need. My mom still got sick and it suddenly dawned on him that she’d contracted Giardia which is a parasite that gives you these symptoms and it was the one thing he hadn’t planned for!! Went to a doctors and got antibiotics which cleared it up. Hand hygiene though is essential too.

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theshedonstokelane@reddit

If travelling in India and it is glorious s please do have this for breakfast in northern India. Curd and green banana which is natural yoghurt and yellow banana. Absolutely wonderful advice given to me indians when first went there If in south India... never a problem.. beautiful food and hygiene

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Equivalent_Word3952@reddit

No tap water, no ice, no, meat, no dairy. I usually end up eating carbs and uncut/unopened fruit. Bottled water and bottled drinks only. I would also avoid alcohol re: recent poisoning that led to tourist deaths.

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Vegetable_Art9891@reddit

Thia advice, and don't eat salads in a restaurant as they are likely washed in tap water. Just eat cooked vegetarian food if you can.

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RetroRum@reddit

This happened to me. I went for a vegetarian option and it had a bit of salad on the side. I've got a sensitive stomach so it all came up that night, I felt terrible. My colleague wasn't so lucky, he felt it the next day. In the taxi back to the airport he politely said, "I'm sorry, I can't talk. I need to concentrate on not soiling myself"

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Smiley_Sid@reddit

Keep your mouth closed in the shower

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Acceptable_Candle580@reddit

Why even go...

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Equivalent_Word3952@reddit

These are common issues that make you ill and can ruin the holiday. I would rather eat/drink safely than risk ending up in hospital.

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MiloGoesToCanton@reddit

As someone who travels with the intention of food, that makes me sad. Mystery street meat in SE Asia is some of the tastiest food you’ll eat!

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doc1442@reddit

Man wants to be patient zero for the next pandemic

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MiloGoesToCanton@reddit

I’d rather die happy than be eating McDonald’s & bottled coke in Bangkok

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cerswerd@reddit

Also brush your teeth with bottled water

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Ruthiereacts@reddit

Yes!

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Purple_ash8@reddit

Do you have access to loperamide?

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rev-fr-john@reddit

I regularly drink water from rain barrels,streams and ponds in this country, however on arrival in less developed countries I'll do the same for for the first 12chours but be slightly more choosy then bottled water for 24 hours then I can forget all the usual precautions and get on with life, it's something I learned in the 80 for travel to Pakistan, Afghanistan and then Somalia and once I'd got the immunity I needed I just kept it going because the alternative is remarkably grim at best.

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ghodsgift@reddit

Makes me wonder why half of you even bother going abroad. You make it sound like you need to live in a bubble, wrapped in cotton wool

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miss-mercatale@reddit

Sure I’d absolutely love to not have to take precautions but once you’ve been badly ill as I was as an 18yo, you are always going to be susceptible to it. So taking steps and preparing for what could happen, means you can still enjoy yourself.

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Fit-Pass-2398@reddit (OP)

Consider yourself lucky for not having IBS mate

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ghodsgift@reddit

It's not you, you're asking a fair enough question. It's the rest of this thread. People are a step away from saying, don't leave the hotel.

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Agreeable_Cow_7230@reddit

I have heard that the probiotic sach boulardi prevents food poisoning and travellers diarreah

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miss-mercatale@reddit

I make sure I only ever drink bottled water (and make sure it’s seal isn’t broken). I never have ice in my drinks. I even use bottled water to clean my teeth. I don’t eat salad or anything that may have been washed in water. And I always I take medication with me to prevent both nausea and diarrhoea. Oh and a friend who lived in Vietnam said make sure you take your own chopsticks with you as kitchen hygiene over there isn’t great.

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Fit-Pass-2398@reddit (OP)

What medication do you take to prevent nausea and diarrhoea?

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ShineAtom@reddit

Immodium for if you get the runs. And for goodness sake do take it with you. Sure it is likely to be available locally but when you've got diarrhoea, the last thing you want to do is go out looking for a pharmacy! I was very relieved that I had taken Immodium with me plus rehydration sachets. Another thing that might be useful if you do get diarrhoea and have to travel (!) is to take a few incontinence pads for emergency travel use. I wish I had done this as I had to travel shortly after getting over the runs and whilst I was actually fine by then, it would have provided me with a much needed sense of security! Travel sickness pills if this might be a concern going over difficult unmade roads or by boat etc.

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MatchOdd@reddit

My dad uses over the counter meds from boots and it works well. Also prebiotic pills do wonder. Good luck!

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Fit-Pass-2398@reddit (OP)

Ah, prebiotic pills! I thought about it but if it does help I’ll give it a go! Cheers!

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Final_Flounder9849@reddit

I use Biokult. It’s available from Boots but they have a website that shows you the different products they make and what they’re for. It is very good.

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peterhala@reddit

I use stuff called Bimuno, it has worked well so far. Also I become vegetarian, avoid street food, ice, salad etc etc.

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Lieffe@reddit

Imodium if you get diarrhoea. Stock up, it is expensive here but it’s more expensive abroad.

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BoopingBurrito@reddit

And don't make the mistake I recently nearly did. I had to go to Africa for work, so bought some immodium to take. When I was buying it I thought "This is super expensive, I'll be sensible and only take 2 boxes. I've never needed more than a couple of doses before, no matter how bad my stomach got, 12 doses will be more than enough." Turns out that if you get proper full blown food poisoning, you need all the immodium you can get. Having to ration it because you've only got 12 doses is not fun. I speak from experience. I got mild salmonella poisoning, the worst symptoms only lasted about 3 days (thankfully!), if it had been any worse I'd been having to try and make arrangements with a local contact to go to a pharmacy and pick me some immodium up! And salmonella poisoning only lasting for 3 days is something of a miracle!

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SexySwedishSpy@reddit

You'll find these in the "stomach" section of the chemist's. There are several available, and the pharmacists should be able to talk you through them.

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Ruthiereacts@reddit

Remember that fresh fruit and veg is grown with their water so if you’re not accustomed to the drinking water their perishable goods will most likely make you sick.

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smileystarfish@reddit

Just to add, make sure you wash your hands before eating and that any rice you eat is piping hot, not cold.

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FannyFlutterz_ukno@reddit

What bit of Asia are you going to? That’ll really impact the prep you need to do… I did China and was more cautious with Beijing street food than Shanghai for example. Did Korea and was fine all round and had no trouble at all in Japan. But if you’re super worried stock up on generic immodium and diaralyte just in case despite your best efforts you get poorly

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PigletAlert@reddit

Ummm so I continue as normal I take a UV steriliser and pack some loperamide and some azithromycin from the travel clinic just in case.

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Alice18997@reddit

Eat only fully cooked food from trusted places and obey the three B's of drinking (Only Boiled, Bottled or Brewed). Learned this the hard way in tunisia. Fortunately it was all inclusive and the hotel didn't bother to check my ID at the bar so I didn't have to give up ice entirely (you don't eat the ice still but you can have it in something alcoholic to cool the liquid while the alcohol keeps everything safe).

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alexdelp1er0@reddit

Nothing at all.

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Mr_Miyagis_Chamois@reddit

I tell it to pack wisely

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AccomplishedQuail770@reddit

You can take probiotic tablets before going to ensure your gut flora is in the best state. You can ask your GP to prescripe you medicine for food poisoning ahead of the trip if the country you go to is deemed a risk of such. (Many countries in Asia would be). Increase your fibre intake in your food. Start chomping on those veggies. I would also recommend bringing some Imodium Dual-Action (Anti diarrhea medication) with you. You want dual action as it deals with both the diarrhea and the pain associated with it. You are on an awesome trip to Asia, don't spend it in the hotel room with a burning bumhole :) Tips for when you are there. \*Avoid street food. \*Avoid drinking water from the tap \*Always ask for NO ice in your drinks. Ice cubes can be made from tap water. \*Alcohol upsets the stomach, especially the stronger stuff. A beer or two should be no harm, but you know your own tummy. \*If you get sick and you did not bring food poisoning tablets from home, don't hesitate, just go to the pharmacy. Don't waste your holiday waiting it out. Should the worst happen and you get sick and it somehow interferes with your Holiday it is worth checking with your Travel insurence if they will cover anything. A mate of mine missed his flight due to explosive diarrhea Finally. Relax and enjoy your trip to Asia. I have done it several times and it's always been great. The only place I have ever gotten a food poisoning was in India. Deli-Belly can and will happen in India. I am envious of you! I want to go too!

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isrob@reddit

Aside from the precautions of what you eat, I started taking a Biokult probiotic tablet with each meal (starting a week before travelling) and it definitely helped (compared with trips where I didn’t).

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Willing-Primary-9126@reddit

It's more who to contact if you need help like a doctor/hospital I don't think you can "prepare" for it

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