What is Traveler\u2019s Diarrhea?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTraveler\u2019s diarrhea or \u2018TA\u2019 is caused by coming into contact with \u2018fecally\u2019 contaminated food. That\u2019s human poo in straightforward language \u2013 not very nice. Unfortunately, it does happen, and the most likely places for contamination tend to be eating food from street vendors, markets, and small restaurants (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s usually an incubation period of 2-3 days, so it takes around 2-3 days from eating the contaminated food to getting symptoms, and the symptoms range from stomach cramps and nausea to vomiting, watery diarrhea, muscle pain, and fever. Typically, it\u2019s over in a few days, but around 15% of cases can last between one week and one month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"probiotics](\"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/preventing-traveller-s-diarrhea-probiotics-for-travelling-02.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPreventing Traveler\u2019s Diarrhea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe best method for avoiding TD is understanding where you are most likely to encounter problems, i.e., street vendors, etc., and avoiding eating there, as well as focussing on basic hygiene. However, obviously, this isn\u2019t a foolproof method, and can also stop a trip away from being as authentic or adventurous as it could be. So in an attempt to avoid TD and still get the most from a trip away, travelers will often take antibiotics prophylactically to prevent any infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem with this is that the overuse of antibiotics<\/a><\/strong> is associated with antibiotic resistance. In addition, taking antibiotics when we don\u2019t need to can kill off the good bacteria that are living in our guts. That will leave us more susceptible to infections and other health problems in the future. So really, although many people do it, it\u2019s not a great idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTaking Probiotics for Traveler\u2019s Diarrhea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHowever, a 2007 meta-analysis study (that\u2019s an overall review of studies previously done on the subject) found that supplementation with probiotics<\/strong><\/a> could prevent 85% of cases of Traveller\u2019s diarrhea (4). However, certain key factors related to the success of probiotic supplementation in preventing TD. To give good resistance against TD, probiotics need to be taken in doses of at least 10 billion CFU\u2019s (colony forming units). Also, the probiotics should be continued throughout the whole period of susceptibility to TD.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe study suggested that it could take a full 6-8 week period for the microbiome (gut) bacteria to fully return to normal after a trip away, so this means you need to be taking probiotics<\/a><\/strong> for a full 2 months after you return, just in case! This shouldn\u2019t be a problem, because in our opinion you should be taking probiotics every day wherever you are (if possible!). A final problem highlighted by the study is that many probiotics need refrigeration, so if you\u2019re traveling for long periods, that\u2019s not going to be possible, and the probiotics will likely die off. So you need to use a brand that doesn\u2019t need to be refrigerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPreventing Traveler\u2019s Diarrhea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe best method for avoiding TD is understanding where you are most likely to encounter problems, i.e., street vendors, etc., and avoiding eating there, as well as focussing on basic hygiene. However, obviously, this isn\u2019t a foolproof method, and can also stop a trip away from being as authentic or adventurous as it could be. So in an attempt to avoid TD and still get the most from a trip away, travelers will often take antibiotics prophylactically to prevent any infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem with this is that the overuse of antibiotics<\/a><\/strong> is associated with antibiotic resistance. In addition, taking antibiotics when we don\u2019t need to can kill off the good bacteria that are living in our guts. That will leave us more susceptible to infections and other health problems in the future. So really, although many people do it, it\u2019s not a great idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTaking Probiotics for Traveler\u2019s Diarrhea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHowever, a 2007 meta-analysis study (that\u2019s an overall review of studies previously done on the subject) found that supplementation with probiotics<\/strong><\/a> could prevent 85% of cases of Traveller\u2019s diarrhea (4). However, certain key factors related to the success of probiotic supplementation in preventing TD. To give good resistance against TD, probiotics need to be taken in doses of at least 10 billion CFU\u2019s (colony forming units). Also, the probiotics should be continued throughout the whole period of susceptibility to TD.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe study suggested that it could take a full 6-8 week period for the microbiome (gut) bacteria to fully return to normal after a trip away, so this means you need to be taking probiotics<\/a><\/strong> for a full 2 months after you return, just in case! This shouldn\u2019t be a problem, because in our opinion you should be taking probiotics every day wherever you are (if possible!). A final problem highlighted by the study is that many probiotics need refrigeration, so if you\u2019re traveling for long periods, that\u2019s not going to be possible, and the probiotics will likely die off. So you need to use a brand that doesn\u2019t need to be refrigerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking Probiotics for Traveler\u2019s Diarrhea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHowever, a 2007 meta-analysis study (that\u2019s an overall review of studies previously done on the subject) found that supplementation with probiotics<\/strong><\/a> could prevent 85% of cases of Traveller\u2019s diarrhea (4). However, certain key factors related to the success of probiotic supplementation in preventing TD. To give good resistance against TD, probiotics need to be taken in doses of at least 10 billion CFU\u2019s (colony forming units). Also, the probiotics should be continued throughout the whole period of susceptibility to TD.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe study suggested that it could take a full 6-8 week period for the microbiome (gut) bacteria to fully return to normal after a trip away, so this means you need to be taking probiotics<\/a><\/strong> for a full 2 months after you return, just in case! This shouldn\u2019t be a problem, because in our opinion you should be taking probiotics every day wherever you are (if possible!). A final problem highlighted by the study is that many probiotics need refrigeration, so if you\u2019re traveling for long periods, that\u2019s not going to be possible, and the probiotics will likely die off. So you need to use a brand that doesn\u2019t need to be refrigerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study suggested that it could take a full 6-8 week period for the microbiome (gut) bacteria to fully return to normal after a trip away, so this means you need to be taking probiotics<\/a><\/strong> for a full 2 months after you return, just in case! This shouldn\u2019t be a problem, because in our opinion you should be taking probiotics every day wherever you are (if possible!). A final problem highlighted by the study is that many probiotics need refrigeration, so if you\u2019re traveling for long periods, that\u2019s not going to be possible, and the probiotics will likely die off. So you need to use a brand that doesn\u2019t need to be refrigerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n