Rushing to the bathroom with an upset stomach or food poisoning is the last way you spend your vacation. Bali Belly is one of Bali’s least popular attractions, but unfortunately, it’s all too common among travelers visiting the island. Bali Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge, Rangoon Run and Gastro all refer to the same thing. Bali Belly is just another term for food poisoning (or gastroenteritis/gastroenteritis, medically speaking). Traveller’s diarrhoea can affect people travelling anywhere to a new environment, but most frequently affects tourists visiting developing countries.
Sometimes you don’t want to leave your hotel bathroom because it’s uncomfortable and painful. These are often accompanied by stomach cramps, fever, chills, loss of appetite, gas and adominal bloating, these are the types of symptoms that derail a carefully planned vacation itinerary. To enjoy a meaningful vacation, it is important to maintain good health. Here’s what you need to know about Balinese bellies and how to treat Bali Belly and prevent Bali Belly, so you don’t get stuck in the toilet on your Bali holiday.
Causes of Bali Belly
The most common cause of gastroenteritis (Bali Belly) is viral. Remember, contaminated food and water are the biggest culprits of carriers and not necessarily the last meal eaten. Another common virus is norovirus. Remember that antibiotics do not work for viral gastroenteritis. Bacterial infections are more commonly associated with travel, comorbidities (coexistence of one or more diseases), food poisoning, and drinking tap water, spicy food, street vendors, and local water, though tempting trying new foods could also lead to the Bali Belly.
Though not very high it is common to the higher risk of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, Shiga toxin-producing bacteria, and Escherichia coli (enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli), to name a few, are some of the most common bacteria found in subsequent stool analysis. Another less common cause of food poisoning is harmful toxins or chemicals that have contaminated food.
Symptoms of Bali Belly
Balinese stomach and traveler’s diarrhea often occur during the first week of travel. Your body is being exposed to new and unknown bacteria and viruses. Once infected, it takes 2-5 hours for symptoms to appear. Your first symptoms may be a sudden onset of stomach rumbling, bloating, or nausea. If you are experiencing symptoms such as these, you deffinetly need treatment.
Other symptoms include:
- loose or watery stools (diarrhea)
- Urgency and frequency of going to the toilet
- Abdominal cramps, bloating and pain
- Mild temperature
- General malaise (weakness or discomfort)
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness (weak immune system)
Bali traditional remedies
Doctors advise avoiding food with spices and oil (eg. nasi campur, suckling pig etc.), dairy products, alcohol, as well as limiting both vegetable and fruit intake (except apples since they have stool hardening properties from the pectin they contain). Though, the best treatment to for an infected person to cure Bali Belly, is naturally consuming food rinsed, drinking plenty of boiled water and filtered water, avoid food that you aren’t familiar with, avoid alcohol, avoid dairy products, taking care of personal hygiene for your body by hand washing, and maintain a bland diet, keep track of your water intake. There are a few Bali Remedies to cure Bali Belly without the medical care, Anti diarrhoea medications, and going to your local pharmacies.
- Doctor recommends, Oral rehydration is the first step in treating acute diarrhea whenever possible. To compensate for electrolyte loss, it is recommended to use a mixture of water, salt and sugar. This is at home and is a mutual mixture of 1/2 teaspoon salt, 6 teaspoons sugar, and 1 quart water. can be mixed with the prepackaged oral rehydration solution. (Such as Hydrolyte) are widely available at local pharmacies and are slightly tastier than homemade varieties. Drinking oral rehydration drinks to replace lost salts and minerals.
- Eating bananas thickens the structure of the stool and makes it less watery. This makes bananas an anti-diarrheal food suitable for consumption. May you be free from diarrhea as soon as possible. Banana’s ability as a natural antidiarrheal is due to the fact that this tropical fruit is high in pectin and fiber, which help absorb water in the intestine.
- With diarrhea, you lose a lot of fluid and become very weak. Coconut water itself is rich in electrolytes and can replace water lost from the body through bowel movements. Coconut water has long been used as a traditional antidiarrheal that is safe even for young children. Application is very easy as you just drink the pure coconut water directly without mixing it.
- You may be wondering how white pepper can be used as a traditional anti-diarrheal remedy when you should also avoid spicy foods when you have bowel movements. White pepper’s ability to overcome diarrhea is due to the fact that this kitchen spice contains piperine, which is effective in reducing inflammation and pain in the body.
There is nothing worse than getting sick during a leisurely trip in a foreign country. Especially when visiting places like Bali. Bali Belly is a common experience for foreigners visiting the island and it takes time for your body adjusts but keeping all of the above points in mind can help you avoid it and not ruin your trip. Don’t forget the most important factor is to have fun!
