How can I avoid stomach problems in Mexico?

What to take to prevent getting sick in Mexico?

Stick to sealed bottled water (which at most Mexican hotels is readily available, if not free) or disinfected water. Plus, make sure your ice is made from the same H2O. Avoid reconstituted juice, which is made with water, as well as unpasteurized milk. Sodas, hot coffee and tea, and pasteurized milk are all safe.

What can I take for stomach problems in Mexico?

Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can be effective for treating mild cases of traveler's diarrhea. Use it according to the instructions on the box. Antimotility agents like Imodium can also be used, but they should be saved for emergencies, like airplane travel.

How can I stay healthy in Mexico?

Choose food carefully. In general, avoid salads (except in first-class restaurants), uncooked vegetables, undercooked protein, and unpasteurized milk or milk products, including cheese. Choose food that is freshly cooked and still hot. Avoid eating food prepared by street vendors.

How do I protect my stomach when traveling?

How to AVOID Traveler's Diarrhea (Moctezuma's Revenge)

How do you prepare your stomach for Mexico?

One of the best ways to prepare for Mexico travel is to prep your immune system and strengthen your gut health. Some common supplements include probiotics, Vitamin C, echinacea, zinc, elderberry, and other immune boosters.

Why is my stomach messed up after Mexico?

Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and abdominal cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually isn't serious in most people — it's just unpleasant.

Why do I get diarrhea in Mexico?

Key Points. Traveler's diarrhea occurs within 10 days of travel to an area with poor public hygiene. It's the most common illness in travelers. It's caused by drinking water or eating foods that have bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Should I take Pepto-Bismol before going to Mexico?

Yes. Pepto-Bismol has been used for a number of years to prevent travelers' diarrhea. Studies show that if adults take the equivalent of two tabs four times a day, it can decrease the incidence of travelers' diarrhea up to 60%. Now, many people who take that amount of Pepto-Bismol end up with severe constipation.

What can I buy for diarrhea in Mexico?

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is typically used to treat traveler's diarrhea. Consult your doctor about taking these medications. It is important for an infected person to consult a doctor about treating diarrhea in children and infants, because some of the drugs mentioned above are not recommended for children.

What should I avoid eating in Mexico?

Never eat food that has not been cooked thoroughly. Avoid raw seafood, undercooked eggs, and any meat that is not completely cooked. If you want to eat fish, order it cooked, or try ceviche, which is a “raw” fish dish that utilizes citric acid to kill bacteria (it's delicious!)

Should I take probiotics before Mexico?

Probiotics should be started at least two weeks prior to your planned travel. This helps in seeding the helpful bacteria in the gut. This, in turn, will optimize immune function and help ensure good health while travelling. However, it is important to continue taking the probiotic throughout the travel.

Why does the water in Mexico make you sick?

Bacteria and the toxins that cause traveler's diarrhea occur in areas with contaminated water supplies, poor sewage systems, or inadequate food handling. People living in these areas often don't get sick because their bodies have developed some degree of immunity.

How long after drinking water in Mexico do you get sick?

Symptoms typically appear within six to 24 hours after a bacterial or viral infection. It may take one to three weeks for signs of an intestinal parasite infection to show up. This may explain traveler's diarrhea that occurs a week or more after returning home. Symptoms are usually mild.

How do you prevent Montezuma's revenge?

Montezuma's Revenge Prevention

Second, make sure you eat foods at the temperature at which they are safest to be eaten. Make sure to avoid any undercooked meats, fish or shellfish and stay away from fresh veggies or fruits from developing countries.

Do probiotics help with travelers diarrhea?

They are effective in treating some diarrheal disorders and probiotic research is ongoing. In particular, a study of Saccharomyces boulardii (Florastor®), a probiotic yeast, showed that it has a protective effect against travellers' diarrhea.

Should I take Imodium for traveler's diarrhea?

Traveler's diarrhea often is treated with antibiotics. You also can take loperamide (brand name: Imodium), but don't take it without an antibiotic if you have bloody diarrhea. Children, pregnant women, older adults, and other people who get dehydrated easily should drink rehydration solutions.

How do you get rid of travelers diarrhea naturally?

Drink canned fruit juices, weak tea, clear soup, decaffeinated soda or sports drinks to replace lost fluids and minerals. Later, as your diarrhea improves, try a diet of easy-to-eat complex carbohydrates, such as salted crackers, bland cereals, bananas, applesauce, dry toast or bread, rice, potatoes, and plain noodles.

Is Ginger good for travelers diarrhea?

Drinking ginger tea can help to rehydrate your body and replenish fluids that may be lost during a bout of diarrhea. Usually, diarrhea will only last for a few days. Ginger can help to soothe your stomach during this time so that your recovery is swift and comfortable.

How do you prevent travelers diarrhea?

You can take steps to avoid traveler's diarrhea

Avoid food that has been sitting on a buffet. Eat raw fruits and vegetables only if you have washed them in clean water or peeled them. Only drink beverages from factory-sealed containers, and avoid ice because it may have been made from unclean water.

Why you shouldn't drink the water in Mexico?

As a rule, you should not drink tap water in Mexico. Generally, the water is purified at the source, but the distribution system may allow the water to be contaminated en route to the tap.

Can you brush teeth with tap water in Mexico?

Use Bottled Water For Brushing

So is the chance that the agua coming from your hotel sink has actually been purified, so don't take chances! A good thing to do when traveling to countries like Mexico is to leave a bottle of water right by your faucet.

Is drinking coffee in Mexico safe?

Coffee, hot tea, canned soda and juice, beer, wine and alcohol are all a safe bet.

Do probiotics prevent Montezuma's revenge?

Attacking Montezuma's Revenge

Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of "friendly" bacteria in the digestive tract, says Peikin.

Does yogurt help with travelers diarrhea?

Probiotic-rich yogurts may protect against multiple types of diarrhea, including traveler's diarrhea and those caused by infections, antibiotics, IBS, and Crohn's disease.