Montezuma's Revenge: Relief On-the-Road

If you do come down with TD, you'll be happy you packed your Polisorb.

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When is an upset stomach more than just an upset stomach? When it's Montezuma's revenge! (You read that in your old-timey announcer voice, right?)

This cursed form of digestive distress can be a burden, and we're here to help. We've got the scoop on how to alleviate symptoms and how to avoid this monstrosity in the first place.

The Infamous Montezuma's Revenge Explained

"Montezuma's revenge" is a nickname for traveler's diarrhea. The term originated in the 1960s. More specifically, Montezuma's revenge is TD that starts in Mexico — hence the Montezuma part; Montezuma led the Aztec Empire at its peak.

TD is also sometimes referred to as "Delhi belly" or "Nile runs," but all three hackneyed aliases have lost favor with time and better judgment. You know when Charlotte famously gets sick in the Sex and the City movie? That's Montezuma's revenge.

Symptoms of Traveler’s Diarrhea

Traveler's diarrhea is an infection of the digestive system. Most cases are bacterial and relatively short: Think no more than four days of feeling rotten. Roughly one in 10 people with TD experience week-long symptoms.

Since TD affects your stomach and intestines, it can produce a handful of gnarly symptoms:

Nausea
Loose stool
Fever
Cramps
Bloating
Bloody stool

These are probably not the words you thought would sum up your vacation, business travel, or mission trip.

TD typically hits during the first two weeks of travel and tends to affect younger people in more significant numbers than older people. It occurs most often in developing nations across Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, although it also frequently occurs in China, Russia, and Southern Europe.

At-Home Remedies to Avoid or Settle Traveler's Diarrhea

If you develop a wicked case of TD, the good(ish?) news is that you're not alone. The CDC estimates anywhere from 30 to 70% of travelers to the developing world experience TD.¹

The even better news is TD typically resolves itself on its own. This means no searching for medical care in an unfamiliar place using a language you don't understand.

When it comes to avoiding TD in the first place, meanwhile, the keys are planning and paying attention.

Say Goodbye to Ice Cubes

Bacteria loves to hitch a ride on water. It doesn't matter if it's flowing out of a tap or frozen in a cube; bacteria are down to clown. As such, one of the very best things you can do to avoid TD when abroad is to just say "no" to water.

It sounds easy enough, but you ingest water more often than you think, and it only takes a few drops to transfer germs. When you're traveling and the water will likely make you sick:

Don't add ice to your beverages.
Wipe off all bottles and cans before drinking.
If you want to drink water, stick to bottled water only.
Brush your teeth using bottled water, too.

Stick to Eating Cooked Foods

Unless you're preparing those greens or cleaning that fruit personally, it's best to avoid raw foods when traveling to TD hotspots. For example, when you order a salad, it's impossible to know for sure if the lettuce and any other raw veggies in there were washed in safe water. (Spoiler alert: They almost certainly were not.)

The same goes for raw fruits and vegetables that you may find in restaurants or sold on the street. Unless you clean it and peel it yourself, you're risking exposure to bacteria that may cause TD.

Limit your menu to cooked foods found in restaurants and packaged foods from groceries. Watch out for undercooked meat and fish, and avoid dairy products if you can, since consuming unpasteurized milk, butter, cheese or ice cream can increase your risk of TD.

Only Eat Fruits You Peel Yourself

Unless you clean and peel fruits personally, you risk consuming bacteria that could make you sick. Ideally, any produce you plan to eat should be soaked in a solution of 1 cup of vinegar to 3 cups of water before consuming. This practice prevents cross-contamination, which can occur when slicing fruit with a dirty peel and then using the same cutting board for something else, for example. Keep soaked fruit separate from fruit you haven't yet disinfected.

Hydrate With Herbal Cleanses

In addition to bottled water, Detoxify's herbal cleanses are another smart, safe way to stay well-hydrated while traveling. The proprietary blend of cleansing herbs in our formulations delivers hydration to your bloodstream faster than water alone, and added vitamins and minerals replenish what your body needs to get back to optimal function.

Ready Clean and XXtra Clean are two exceptional choices in this category. Ready Clean offers 16 ounces of support for your body's detox systems, including your digestive, urinary and circulatory tracts. In fact, this herbal cleanse even combats the symptoms of urinary tract infections, which can arise when using competitor cleanses.

Ready Clean is a same-day cleanse with an optimal cleansing window of three to four hours, and comes in your choice of grape or tropical fruit flavor. Simply shake the bottle and drink, wait 15 minutes, then fill with water, shake and drink again. You'll know it's working as expected when you experience frequent urination - and Detoxify has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if you don’t like your cleanse, we’ll give you a different Detoxify product of your choosing.

If you want to enhance your detox with improved mood and reduced stress, consider choosing XXtra clean. This formula will give you good vibes thanks to an infusion of energizing American ginseng root along with a full slate of organic detoxifying ingredients. Follow the same procedure as with Ready Clean, except that XXtra Clean comes in a 20-ounce bottle. For both cleanses, you can boost the effects by drinking another 16 ounces of H20 every two hours.

Herbal Cleanses Hydrate Faster Shop Detoxify Herbal Cleanses

Pack Your Care Packages

Every traveler is wise to stock up on packaged goods that are safe to eat. Think cereal, balance bars, and the like. Seasoned travelers recommend granola, protein bars, dehydrated fruits and veggies, and jerky. Make sure to check travel advisories before you attempt to bring these items on the plane, however.

If you can purchase these on the go where you are, do it. If you can stash them in your luggage (and customs are cool with it), that's another solid option. You can even enlist the help of a friend or coworker to mail you a prepared care package from home while you're away.

Coconut Water for the Win

Coconut water is another A-level star of the hydration world. It essentially straddles the line between old, dependable water and flashy sports drinks. It contains electrolytes (good!) and sugar (not so good!) like a sports drink, but it's lower in sodium and calories.

Drink Bone Broth

This soothing beverage is rich with collagen and gelatin, two ingredients that soothe the GI system and promote smooth digestion. Packed with vitamins and minerals, bone broth is also a smart choice if you can't eat because traveler's diarrhea has affected your appetite. You'll get the nutrients you need to feel better without making matters worse.

Don't Forget Your Polisorb!

If you do come down with TD, you'll be happy you packed your Polisorb. It provides support for an upset stomach in as little as 15 minutes by rounding up irritants, gently showing them the door, and politely asking them to never, ever return. Ever.

We're certain that nobody in the history of the world has ever scribbled "get traveler's diarrhea" on their itinerary right there in between "dinner with Doug" and "tour of the small regional museum with no public restrooms." Still, it happens. The CDC says it happens a lot, in fact. Decrease the chance of it happening to you by planning ahead.

Relief From Upset Stomach in 15 Minutes Shop Polisorb

RESOURCES

1 https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea