How to prevent and treat traveller’s diarrhoea with probiotics?

José Miguel Olivencia 5 min. of reading Natural remedies Leave a comment

Travellers’ diarrhoea is a very common gastrointestinal disorder in people travelling to international territories where hygiene, sanitation and eating habits are very different from the country of origin. It is predominantly acquired orally, by drinking water and eating food contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria, parasites).
The condition is characterised by stools of decreased consistency, associated with a frequency of 3 or more watery stools in 24 hours and usually lasts 3-5 days. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps, fever, blood or mucus in the stool, and dehydration may occur.
The use of probiotics in the prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea is favoured because of their effects on the gut microbiota and the reduction of colonisation by pathogens, as well as the safety they provide. They are also recommended as treatment when diarrhoea is already present.

Index

1 How to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea?
2 How to fight it?
3 Conclusions

How to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea?

To avoid contracting traveller’s diarrhoea, it is essential to follow the guidelines below.

Take care of your hydration and diet

Stay well hydrated by drinking water and electrolyte drinks.
Always drink bottled water.
Set aside fruit juices or other unpackaged liquid products.
Wash your hands with soap before and after eating, handling food or going to the toilet. Dry them with a clean towel or air dry.
Do not eat raw meat of any kind; do not eat uncooked fish or shellfish.
Wash fruits with treated water and peel them before eating.
Do not add ice to drinks without knowing where the water comes from.
Avoid eating salads and raw vegetables.
Do not consume unpasteurised milk or dairy products (custard, ice cream, fresh cheese, etc.).
Store prepared foods in airtight containers and refrigerate them to prevent the growth of micro-organisms.
Do not eat at street vendors.
Increase hygiene measures and precautions, do not share glasses or cutlery with other people.

The intake of probiotics is also a preventive measure against travellers’ diarrhoea.

Probiotics are foods or food supplements containing live microorganisms which contribute to the balance of the gut microbiota. Recent studies have shown prevention data with Lactobacillus acidophilus, S. boulardii, L Rhamnosus GG, B. lactis and Str. thermophilus.

Watch what you do

During your trip, avoid contact with environmental factors that may be susceptible to contamination.

For example, do not dive in lakes or go near wells or ponds of water that may be contaminated. Use clean toilets, in places that are kept clean and enclosed under sanitary conditions.

How to fight it?

In the treatment of travellers’ diarrhoea, the first action is adequate hydration with sufficient fluids, especially water, to treat or prevent dehydration.

It is also helpful to follow a soft, fat-free diet consisting of well-cooked foods such as rice, lean white meat (chicken, turkey), potatoes, carrots, soups or herbal teas without sugars.

In addition, it is crucial to strengthen your gut microbiota in order to eliminate the annoying symptoms caused by this condition.

Boost your microbiota with probiotics

One of the main functions of probiotics is the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. There is ample scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of certain probiotic strains in acute digestive tract processes.

The known benefits of using natural probiotics are to digest food and compete with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients, to alter the local pH to create a local environment unfavourable to pathogens, to prevent their growth and to strengthen the microbiota.

Several clinical trials have shown that probiotics are effective and safe, especially in the treatment of acute diarrhoea, such as traveler’s diarrhoea. The probiotics that have shown the best results in the treatment of diarrhoea are L. rhamnosus, S. boulardii and Lactococcus lactis.

We recommend a visit to the doctor

If there is blood or mucus in the stool, continuous vomiting, high fever, severe abdominal pain or the diarrhoea is prolonged over time (more than 5 days), it needs to be evaluated and treated promptly.

Conclusions

In conclusion, travellers’ diarrhoea is a very common condition that causes uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms. Prevention plays a key role by implementing hygiene measures, avoiding contaminated food and water, and considering the use of probiotics.

These disturbances distort holiday plans as they lead to limitations, loss of time and costs. For this reason, effective prevention can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a traumatic experience.

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