$Unique_ID{BRK00873}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases, Digestive System}
$Title{What Causes Severe Diarrhea While Travelling?}
$Subject{diarrhea traveler prevention}
$Volume{N-12, I-12}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Causes Severe Diarrhea While Travelling?


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QUESTION:  I'm too embarrassed to discuss this with any of my friends, but I
suffer from severe diarrhea whenever I travel.  What causes this condition,
and how can I overcome it?

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ANSWER:  You may be suffering from enteritis, an inflammation of the intestine
that usually manifests itself in diarrhea--in your case, the commonly known
traveler's diarrhea.  If your work often takes you to undeveloped third world
countries, you may unwittingly be exposing yourself to a specific
enteritis-causing agent on a repeated basis.
     The most common cause of traveler's diarrhea is the bacteria known as
Escheria coli, although other factors may be at root cause, including viruses
and protozoa.  The condition is usually acquired from local food or water
contaminated by feces:  raw leafy vegetables, unpeeled fruits, raw meat and
seafood, unpasteurized milk and impure water are most often at fault.  (If you
order bottled water while abroad, make sure the ice originates from an equally
protected source.)
     There are a number of ways of avoiding traveler's diarrhea, varying in
effort and effectiveness.  Although it's no guarantee, watch what you eat and
drink, especially when venturing away from tourist or business circles.  You
may also want to consider a preventative approach; a daily two ounce dose of
bismuth subsalicylate (impractical for longer trips) greatly reduces the risk,
while antibiotics such as doxcycline, trimenthoprim, or
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can reduce the risk by between 60 and 90%.
Such a regimen of antibiotics needs to be initiated a day or two prior to
leaving, and continue through to the first day or two after returning;
furthermore, it should be restricted to individuals with underlying medical
problems which may be aggravated by a case of traveler's diarrhea.
     If you should come down with the condition, try treating it by consuming
sugar-containing drinks, to replace fluids you may have lost, as well as
crackers to replenish salts.  Keeping your fluid intake up is essential in any
effective treatment.  Antibiotics may be necessary, particularly if nausea,
vomiting, abdominal cramps or fever are present, and if bloody stools are
passed in addition to the diarrhea.  Two to five days of taking double
strength trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or doxycycline is usually effective
against the E. coli bacteria.  You can probably out last a mild case, but if
things get severe, check into a local hospital or cut your trip short and head
back home.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
