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Diarrhea is the number one medical complaint of travelers in the first 2 weeks away from home. It
is prevalent in countries with underdeveloped water purification and sanitation systems, and it
attacks nearly everyone who visits the Khumbu for any amount of time. BUT it is preventable if
you are careful and practice good hygiene.
Bacterial infection is only one cause of diarrhea. Viruses, protozoa, certain medications, food
intolerances, allergies are among the myriad other causes of this ailment. This important to
remember, because there is no one pill that takes care of all of them. And if you
indiscriminately take antibiotics (which only work on bacteria), you can actually make any of the
other causes of diarrhea even worse by knocking out all of your body’s natural “good” bacteria.
Diarrhea is a complicated problem, and if it persists for days or is associated with bleeding,
fainting, severe dehydration, high fevers, severe pain, you should see a doctor for professional
evaluation and treatment.
Some people take prophylactic (preventative) medication to prevent diarrhea, but this may be a very
risky practice. The potential side effects from some of these medications range from slightly annoying
to deadly, not to mention the alteration of your natural bacterial flora and potential development of
antibiotic resistance. You should make the decision to take prophylactic medications with your personal
physician. I don’t advise it in most situations.
Diarrhea causes dehydration and disturbance of the mineral balance in your body. Drink plenty and add
electrolyte supplement (ORS packets are widely available in pharmacies throughout the world.)
Travelers in areas with questionable potable water sources should pack antidiarrheal medications like
loperamide (Imodium®) to halt it. You should be careful with these aids though. If you have a bacterial
infection, diarrhea is your body’s way of getting rid of the bad bacteria. Use Imodium or the equivalent
only when you really have to.
Again, prevention is key:
- WASH YOUR HANDS after using the toilet and before eating.
- Treat your water with a good filter or UV or by boiling or by using chemicals like iodine or chlorine
dioxide
– and don’t slip up! - Avoid raw food. Boil first or wash and peel before eating.
- Avoid unpasteurized dairy products.
- Avoid drinking products with ice that is made from untreated water.
For more up to date information about treatment of diarrhea in Nepal, follow the link to diarrhea discussion
on the CIWEC website, www.ciwec-clinic.com
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