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Traveling to a foreign country can be a real adventure, especially if it is one that differs greatly from your own. While it is fun to try new foods and learn a new culture, it can also present problems, as many travelers have discovered! Even if you take along a first aid kit, there will be times when you just don’t have what you need in order to deal with a sickness or other problem that arises. Here are easy ways to treat some of the most common health problems that travelers encounter.

Diarrhea. This is a big one that most people get if they travel for any period of time. The change in climate and environment as well as food can affect your stomach negatively, but there are other factors as well. For example, if you drink the water in South America, you might end up with parasites or amoebas which cause diarrhea as well. It’s a good idea to see a doctor as soon as you get back home, but in the meantime, if your Imodium has run out, you can still stop the runs.

Staying hydrated should be your first priority. Drink lots of water if you can. Gatorade and other sports drinks are good as well and in a pinch, flat Coke will also work. To stop the diarrhea, you can try one of several methods. Make a basil tea with a handful of basil leaves boiled in water for 5 minutes. This is often taken with a squeeze of lemon and is particularly effective against amoebas. Take a cup every hour or two until the diarrhea lets up.

Another recommended remedy is cornstarch. It works in a manner similar to Imodium, but doesn’t last quite as long. It is ideal for when you have to get on a bus with no bathroom for several hours. Just add a tablespoon of cornstarch to a cup of water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat once it begins to thicken and take a couple of spoonfuls when it is cool. You can add sugar and flavoring such as vanilla extract if you like, to make it more palatable.

Indigestion. One of the problems with sampling foreign street food is that your tummy isn’t used to it. This can cause stomach upsets and even vomiting. To relieve the pain, try taking a glass of water with half a lime squeezed into it. You might prefer mineral water which will cause you to burp and relieve the pressure on the stomach.

A glass of milk can ease heartburn caused by eating too much spicy food, or you can try a tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Tastes gross, but it works to calm the overactive acids in your stomach.

Vomiting. This can be caused by a couple of things. First, if you stayed out all night drinking, you should treat this as a regular hangover. But if you just ate something that disagreed with you, there are additional steps to take. Go ahead and vomit, since this can help rid your body of whatever is making you ill. You may also have diarrhea and it is usually a good idea to let it run for at least a day if possible to clear your body out.

Stay hydrated by following the steps under Diarrhea. Even if you just get rid of it all again, it is worth trying to drink. Take tiny sips to keep the liquids down. You might also want to try ginger ale if you can find it. The ginger is a natural anti-nausea ingredient and can help quell the nausea. If you feel like eating, keep it simple, soda crackers or plain toast, to avoid causing more problems.

Blisters. All that sight seeing can take its toll on your feet and you might find that your once comfy sneakers are now causing blisters. For a quick fix, fold a piece of toilet paper into quarters to form a little pad and slide it into your shoe to protect your foot at the first sign of irritation. Once you get back to your hotel, you should soak your feet in water and then put a Band-Aid over the affected spot. No Band-Aids? You can also use a strip of tape (duct tape works well) to hold the toilet paper pad on until you can get a proper dressing.

These are some of the most common issues that travelers face when on the road or in a foreign city. Even if your first aid kit is running low, you can drastically reduce the effect of these problems and continue to enjoy your trip.

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Natural Treatments by admin