GI Travel Emergency Essentials

Gastrointestinal emergencies when at home or when traveling can be alarming and stressful. We’ve compiled our list of essential to have around the house or in your travel pack when taking trips abroad. Especially, if you love eating street food as much as we do!

• Over-the-Counter Medications
  • Antacids: For quick relief from heartburn or acid reflux symptoms, keep calcium carbonate (Tums) and magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) on hand.
  • Antidiarrheals: Loperamide (Imodium) is essential for sudden bouts of diarrhea, providing rapid symptom control.
  • Antiemetics: Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), ondansetron (Zofran), and meclizine (Bonine) are highly effective options for managing nausea and vomiting.
• Prescription Medications
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): For more severe or chronic GERD symptoms, ensure you have omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium) available.
  • Antibiotics: When traveling to areas where traveler’s diarrhea is common, a short course of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and rifaxamin can be crucial. Always consult with your healthcare provider for appropriate choices.
  • Antispasmodics: Medications like hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan) are often prescribed for alleviating abdominal cramping.
• Rehydration Solutions
  • Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS): Prevent dehydration in cases of severe diarrhea or vomiting with ORS solutions such as Pedialyte and DripDrop. Each region has their local brand!
• Probiotics
  • Probiotic Supplements: To maintain gut health and prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, consider Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (Culturelle) and Saccharomyces boulardii (Florastor).
• Diagnostic Tools
  • Thermometer: Essential for monitoring fever, which can accompany infections.
  • Portable Blood Pressure Monitor: Useful for assessing hypotension due to dehydration.
• Dietary Aids
  • Fiber Supplements: For managing constipation, include psyllium (Metamucil) and methylcellulose (Citrucel) in your kit. Methylcellulose is generally not associated with bloating!
  • Electrolyte Tablets: Maintain electrolyte balance during bouts of diarrhea with options like Nuun tablets and Hydralyte.
• Emergency Contact Information
  • Local Healthcare Facilities: Know the nearest hospitals or clinics to expedite getting help in severe situations.

Being well-prepared with these essential items ensures that we can handle common GI emergencies efficiently, providing peace of mind and the ability to care for ourselves and our loved ones effectively, no matter where we are. Stay safe and prepared!