Westerners travelling to tropical countries frequently find themselves affected by one or other of a variety of ailments which can not only ruin their holiday but can affect their body to such an extent that it can take them months or even years to fully recover. One such affliction is the so-called “Bali Belly”.

What is Bali Belly?

Traveller’s Diarrohea, commonly known as Bali Belly, can sometimes be caused by a change in diet eg more spices than you are used to, however it is more typically caused by a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection which can result in abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of energy and fever. It is transmitted via the fecal-oral route (meaning consuming food or water/fluids that are contaminated), and is contagious.

Medically, it is acute gastroenteritis, and the most common intestinal pathogens causing it for travellers include E.coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Giardia, Cryptosporidium and norovirus or rotavirus.

High risk destinations include tropical countries and developing nations where sanitation, food handling hygiene and water treatment is not of the high standard generally found in Australia.  This includes most of Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

How to Minimise Your Risk of Infection

I have personally treated many affected patients both here and in India upon their return from their travels, and always used to wonder why so many travellers fell victim to the illness. Could it be that they had a weak immune system or that the natives of Bali were stronger in that respect? Part of the problem is lack of acclimatisation to a whole new set of conditions. A key part of the immune system resides in the gut, and our gut flora are adapted to the conditions and to the dietary habits of the area in which we have always lived and contain enzymes which break down specific substances in our diet. When we are suddenly faced with a new set of environmental and dietary conditions this fragile balance is disturbed, leaving us more vulnerable to the effects of local pathogens.  In time though, it is perfectly possible for the body to adapt.

In the meantime, in addition to maintaining scrupulous hygiene and avoiding possibly contaminated food and drink sources when travelling, the best insurance against infection is to follow an Ayurvedic program to optimise the function of the digestive and immune systems.  With a healthy gut microbiome, your chances of succumbing to traveller’s diarrohea, the dreaded Bali Belly,  can be minimised and recovery enhanced.

For further advice call the Yatan Holistic Ayurvedic Centre on 1300 552 260.

Thanks to: Photo by Ibrahim Rifath on Unsplash

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