What to do about stomach pain and digestive problems while traveling?

Stomach ache and digestive upset are common when traveling.

Stomach pain and digestive disorders occur at all ages, due to abnormal functioning of the digestive organs leading to damage to the stomach lining. This phenomenon makes many people feel tired and, in the long term, will affect their health.

There are many causes of digestive disorders, especially in hot weather, as the hot and humid conditions create an environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive, and food spoils easily, becomes moldy, etc.

Eating food that has been left out for too long, not properly preserved, or consuming street food that is not hygienically prepared can easily lead to infection with gastrointestinal bacteria present in the food and ice.

Thus, not only food but also drinking water can be a cause of digestive disorders or even food poisoning.

Stomach pain is the first symptom of digestive disorders that almost everyone experiences.

During long holidays, the number of travelers and the demand for food in crowded places like restaurants and tourist areas increase significantly. Therefore, to meet this demand, food vendors have to stock up on large quantities of food… if hygiene and proper storage are not ensured, unsafe food can cause digestive problems for consumers.

Furthermore, during holidays and parties, people tend to drink alcohol. Excessive drinking can deplete a large amount of digestive enzymes, disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, damage the intestinal lining, and lead to irritable bowel syndrome. Patients often experience digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, fullness, and loose stools.

Another often overlooked issue is that stress can also affect digestive disorders. Changes in residence, frequent travel, and anxiety can increase the risk of digestive problems. Furthermore, high levels of stress can impair blood circulation, leading to decreased stomach contractions, causing food to stagnate, become difficult to digest, and result in bloating.

Symptoms of abdominal pain and digestive disorders

When experiencing digestive disorders, the following symptoms may occur:

- Symptoms of abdominal pain:

This is the first symptom of a digestive disorder that almost everyone experiences. The pain usually appears in the lower or upper abdomen, depending on the location of the injury. It is especially dull and persistent after eating a large meal or spicy food.

- Feeling the urge to defecate:

When digestive disorders cause abnormal changes in the digestive system's waste elimination function, leading to impaired kidney function, patients will experience a frequent urge to defecate. In some cases, they may experience diarrhea or constipation, and this symptom is particularly noticeable after eating a full meal.

- Symptoms include indigestion and bloating:

When suffering from digestive disorders, most patients experience bloating, indigestion, and a lack of appetite because undigested food remains stagnant in the intestines.

In more severe cases, if contaminated food or water is consumed, the patient's digestive system is attacked, leading to digestive disorders and food poisoning. Among these, diarrhea caused by E. coli, Shigella, or amoebic dysentery is common, with typical symptoms such as abdominal cramps, acute diarrhea, and in many cases, fever, vomiting, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and bloody stools.

If symptoms are severe or prolonged, it increases the risk of dangerous complications such as cardiovascular collapse, kidney failure, electrolyte imbalance, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.

What should you do if you have digestive problems?

When digestive disorders occur, it's necessary to identify the underlying cause in order to rule it out and find a solution. Treatment for digestive disorders includes lifestyle changes and medication. Specifically, patients need rest and plenty of fluids. They should prioritize easily digestible foods that are beneficial to the digestive system. Avoid foods high in fat, spicy seasonings, acids, and raw or undercooked foods.

If you are worried, go to the nearest medical facility so that doctors can choose appropriate medications to alleviate the symptoms. For young children, parents should pay attention to frequent diarrhea throughout the day, dry lips, dehydration, etc., and give the child fluids to replenish lost fluids and take them to the nearest medical facility. If the digestive disorder is caused by underlying medical conditions, the patient will be prescribed appropriate medication according to the doctor's instructions.

To prevent stomach aches and digestive disorders while traveling, pay attention to your diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Choose restaurants that ensure hygiene and food safety. Eat cooked food, drink boiled water, keep food covered to avoid dust and dirt, and limit consumption of street food. These measures will help prevent these problems.

Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and limit acidic and spicy foods. Washing your hands thoroughly before eating is also a good habit to prevent digestive disorders and even food poisoning.