Prevention of gastrointestinal infections in India

alpengirl01 · Mar 13th, 2007, 18:12

Look after your belly and you will have a great time

loved your blog! nice job!

heidi

http://yatrikheidi.blogspot.com

gamu · Mar 13th, 2007, 19:30

I think the best way to solve the problem is to do yoga
and Pranayama .

Nick-H · Mar 13th, 2007, 20:07

Anything can catch bacteria if they were on the hands of the person who handled it.

Even non-food items.

I'm sure a lot of infections get caught by touching the mouth after touching a dirty item. Like cash, for instance: one thing that is hard not to touch every day.

Nick-H · Mar 13th, 2007, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamu

I think the best way to solve the problem is to do yoga and Pranayama .

So that's what it is called --- the squatting position and the groaning, while you wish you hadn't eaten whatever it was!

woodlouse · Mar 13th, 2007, 20:10

hi zeppy
you can get bad stomachs from bacteria anywhere - not just from food/drink. so it could be something you touched, (like a keyboard at an internet cafe!) and then that bacteria somehow got into your mouth.

woodlouse · Mar 13th, 2007, 20:10

sorry Nick - was writing at same time as you!

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 23:11

Choosing the places you eat in by looks is a mugs game. Roadside stalls can often be a far better option, since you can actually see the state of play as your food gets cooked. However in all honesty short of trying to eat when the food is fresh, it's a totally hit and miss affair

Probiotics WON'T stop you getting sick period! There's already an example here on IM of someone who followed this line of reasoning as vaunted by Drzog. The lady in charge became very sick and only got worse despite the the dodgy info above. It's your health, believe what you will but the prevention of the various causes of gastro sickness by using probiotics is little more than wishful thinking!

I rarely get sick and haven't had a serious bout of vomiting, cramps and the "strolls" in 5years on the road in India.
Despite this I won't be claiming taking nothing at all keeps you from getting sick. I apply the same logic to this info!

Nick-H · Mar 13th, 2007, 23:27

Nothing will stop you getting sick if you end up playing host to the right (ie wrong) micro-organisms.

Your correlation of the lady getting sick and 'dodgy info' reads to me like a slur.

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 23:35

Read the thread title Nick then re read what I just said, Someone followed his advice and got sick. Case closed.

Sorry if that offends your particular believe system but I'm here to offer advice through experience not kow tow to any old idea that is bandied about.

Especially since we've seen actual medical advice censored here on IM by............................ ..

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 23:44

And PLeeezze bear in mind that the guy offering this info also argued that there were almost NO mozzies in Goa and Malaria was almost non existent. So no need for anti malarials.

Anyway ALL hotels have mossie nets.

Personaly I treat that kind of info with the respect it deserves, like the info above!

Others can make up their own mind I'm simply voicing MY concerns.

If a member uses this regime and gets sick what does that prove, she was unlucky or that this stuff doesn't really work for the common old dysenteries, bacterial infections and other parasitical diseases of the stomach. The stuff your'e most likely to confront in India!

I've watched people for years put their faith in Aruveda, Tibeten and homeopathic medicines for stomach complaints like those above I've seen few who recovered until they took alopathic medicines. Many got a lot sicker by continuing with their leap of faith, instead of doing what most of the locals would do and go and get some antibiotics.

I don't discount alternative medicne no way but from what I've seen (apart from one Chinese cure) is that many alternative cures are either badly prescribed or just don't work for sudden chronic illnesses of the stomach kind!

capt_mahajan · Mar 14th, 2007, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

I've watched people for years put their faith in Aruveda, Tibeten and homeopathic medicines for stomach complaints like those above I've seen few who recovered until they took alopathic medicines. Many got a lot sicker by continuing with their leap of faith, instead of doing what most of the locals would do and go and get some antibiotics.

I don't discount alternative medicne no way but from what I've seen (apart from one Chinese cure) is that many alternative cures are either badly prescribed or just don't work for sudden chronic illnesses of the stomach kind!

Not true on many counts. Ayurveda works for sudden stomach upsets and so do some alternate cures. Never tried homeopathy for stomach problems so dunno. Many locals use hand-me-down remedies and alternative medicine without touching allopathic stuff. Intentionally not detailing these.. I am not a doctor.

I can't remember when was the last time I or my immediate family took allopathic stuff for a stomach ailment.

True, this may or may not work for foreigners getting a bad case of infection (though I would bet some remedies would help), but it works for me and many people I know.

Nick-H · Mar 14th, 2007, 00:12

I've watched people coming back and saying 'we did so-and-so every day, we never got sick, so it must work' with equal incredulity: we are not so far apart in our view.

I really believe that nothing saves you, once those microbes somehow get inside. And for an unhealthy wimp that follows little of this advice I'm remarkably resilient!

There's only one thing that I'm really against, and that's the taking-a-powerful-anti-biotic-ever-day-just-in-case school. Its just my uneducated opinion, but that is plain nuts.

I also tend to agree that, once having caught the thing, a swift dose of antibiotics is very much in order (though not as an uninformed panic measure). Western alopathic medicine is quite good at that sort of thing.

As to prevention, apart from the common-sense hygiene which, to me, is the number-one-most important thing in an unhygienic country, perhaps psychology is as important as anything: Believing you are doing something good is good for you!

cyberhippie · Mar 14th, 2007, 00:19

Ha Cap'n we both used the words many and most so somewhere therein lies a quantitative measurement.

Yeah I've seen the alternatve cures, Fresh Lime squeezed into Milk, garlic in Hot water. Charcoal I've even used them on the missus, (with her consent of course) no joy, same with some Aruvedic stuff given to me by a friend. Nope dysentery wasn't going to be shifted by this.

I still think a lot of people use alopathic medicine in India certainly a lot (not all) of my friends do and the sheer number of chemist suggests that it's fairly commonplace!

As far as travelers go, well I've met three who ended up with cysts after failing to get better from Ameobic dysentery despite bombarding their system with every natural cure known to man!
The numbers are beyond me as to the amount I've seen who prolonged illnesses by some weeks by busying themselves with Aruveda and Tibeten medicines. One dose of antibiotics..............

Though a layman myself I suffer under the probable illusion that Aruveda and the like is probably better for those long term chronic illnesses but like you I'm not a doctor so I'm probably completley wrong!

Nick personal hygene IS a big factor in avoiding the "runs" washing your hands isn't just a bit of Indian culture, I never did manage to old drinking with my mouth away from the cup though. It all eneded up down my shirt!
Also I never recommend just getting a dose of antibiotics down you. Let the body immune system do it's work and if it can't cope well antibiotics is certainly a good cure, despite the side effects!

Nick-H · Mar 14th, 2007, 00:31

Likewise... I just cannot do that thing

.

I would say that when it comes to stuff like ayurveda, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and several other respected-by-many systems, there is a world of difference between a properly qualified practitioner and the I-got-a-certificate-in-a-weekend crowd. And they are a crowd; a multitude, unfortunately who give a bad name to some good stuff.

Allopathic medicine tends to be taken here like sweets. As you know most of it is available without prescription, and anti-biotic discipline is dreadful. Rather like the driving.

drzog · Mar 14th, 2007, 20:09

Quote:

Probiotics WON'T stop you getting sick period! There's already an example here on IM of someone who followed this line of reasoning as vaunted by Drzog. The lady in charge became very sick and only got worse despite the the dodgy info above. It's your health, believe what you will but the prevention of the various causes of gastro sickness by using probiotics is little more than wishful thinking!

i am not sure what would satisfy you CH...if you search pubmed you will find several thousand articles, many controlled trials on probiotics preventing many illnesses as previously posted (did you read that link?)..

the original focus of this whole post was on PREVENTION (read carefully)..PREVENTION maybe an unfamiliar word to many allopathic followers, but I am sure it will become familiar to many, in your latter years while enduring all the wondrous range of chronic diseases western living has to offer, one might start wishing that more prevention had been utilised by listening to the information that IS currently available, and scientifically acceptable....but is little discussed...hence the post PREVENTION of GI infections...blah blah

The CURE of a current aquired infection became an issue through a genuine desire to offer many (15) years of allopathic medical and herbal experience..you scorn and derision serve little value, and it was in conjunction with other Dr's on the forum I believe...referring to infections in india per say, it is an individual thing the manifestation of illness, bug vs host, background unsuspected underlying problems often emerge under severe bacterial assault...

I had also wanted to mention that all western travel medicine clinics will provide clients with antibiotics (despite the IM controversy about seeing or not seeing an Indian Dr first, over the counter meds etc etc blah blah), something I agree with, and will take myself if the symptoms require it...but to recover more quickly, to only have cramps not explosive diarrhoea..to not lose weight or get an amoeba, to not have to take the antibiotics mor ethan once a trip, to come home healthy and happy and not have to endure post India problems, these are all the benefits of PREVENTION....

Probiotics take 3 months to work, as do many herbs, in addition it would be ideal to make an individualised assessment of the stomach acidity barrier, and liver health and immunological competency to make the best of ones chances. There are those of us for which these things are naturally strong and you are indeed blessed, and you might do a puja to be thankful you are not as susceptable as us mere mortals, who may have to resort to a 5000 year history of herbal medicines.

Mar 13th, 2007, 20:07	#93
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,648	Anything can catch bacteria if they were on the hands of the person who handled it. Even non-food items. I'm sure a lot of infections get caught by touching the mouth after touching a dirty item. Like cash, for instance: one thing that is hard not to touch every day. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Mar 13th, 2007, 18:12	#91
alpengirl01 Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: dc Posts: 4	Look after your belly and you will have a great time loved your blog! nice job! heidi http://yatrikheidi.blogspot.com

Mar 13th, 2007, 19:30	#92
gamu Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: India Posts: 12	I think the best way to solve the problem is to do yoga and Pranayama .

Mar 13th, 2007, 20:10	#95
woodlouse firefly lovers club Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 82	hi zeppy you can get bad stomachs from bacteria anywhere - not just from food/drink. so it could be something you touched, (like a keyboard at an internet cafe!) and then that bacteria somehow got into your mouth.

Mar 13th, 2007, 23:11	#97
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,014	Choosing the places you eat in by looks is a mugs game. Roadside stalls can often be a far better option, since you can actually see the state of play as your food gets cooked. However in all honesty short of trying to eat when the food is fresh, it's a totally hit and miss affair Probiotics WON'T stop you getting sick period! There's already an example here on IM of someone who followed this line of reasoning as vaunted by Drzog. The lady in charge became very sick and only got worse despite the the dodgy info above. It's your health, believe what you will but the prevention of the various causes of gastro sickness by using probiotics is little more than wishful thinking! I rarely get sick and haven't had a serious bout of vomiting, cramps and the "strolls" in 5years on the road in India. Despite this I won't be claiming taking nothing at all keeps you from getting sick. I apply the same logic to this info!

Mar 13th, 2007, 23:27	#98
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,648	Nothing will stop you getting sick if you end up playing host to the right (ie wrong) micro-organisms. Your correlation of the lady getting sick and 'dodgy info' reads to me like a slur.

Mar 13th, 2007, 23:35	#99
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,014	Read the thread title Nick then re read what I just said, Someone followed his advice and got sick. Case closed. Sorry if that offends your particular believe system but I'm here to offer advice through experience not kow tow to any old idea that is bandied about. Especially since we've seen actual medical advice censored here on IM by............................ ..

Mar 13th, 2007, 23:44	#100
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,014	And PLeeezze bear in mind that the guy offering this info also argued that there were almost NO mozzies in Goa and Malaria was almost non existent. So no need for anti malarials. Anyway ALL hotels have mossie nets. Personaly I treat that kind of info with the respect it deserves, like the info above! Others can make up their own mind I'm simply voicing MY concerns. If a member uses this regime and gets sick what does that prove, she was unlucky or that this stuff doesn't really work for the common old dysenteries, bacterial infections and other parasitical diseases of the stomach. The stuff your'e most likely to confront in India! I've watched people for years put their faith in Aruveda, Tibeten and homeopathic medicines for stomach complaints like those above I've seen few who recovered until they took alopathic medicines. Many got a lot sicker by continuing with their leap of faith, instead of doing what most of the locals would do and go and get some antibiotics. I don't discount alternative medicne no way but from what I've seen (apart from one Chinese cure) is that many alternative cures are either badly prescribed or just don't work for sudden chronic illnesses of the stomach kind!

Mar 14th, 2007, 00:12	#102
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,648	I've watched people coming back and saying 'we did so-and-so every day, we never got sick, so it must work' with equal incredulity: we are not so far apart in our view. I really believe that nothing saves you, once those microbes somehow get inside. And for an unhealthy wimp that follows little of this advice I'm remarkably resilient! There's only one thing that I'm really against, and that's the taking-a-powerful-anti-biotic-ever-day-just-in-case school. Its just my uneducated opinion, but that is plain nuts. I also tend to agree that, once having caught the thing, a swift dose of antibiotics is very much in order (though not as an uninformed panic measure). Western alopathic medicine is quite good at that sort of thing. As to prevention, apart from the common-sense hygiene which, to me, is the number-one-most important thing in an unhygienic country, perhaps psychology is as important as anything: Believing you are doing something good is good for you!

Mar 14th, 2007, 00:19	#103
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,014	Ha Cap'n we both used the words many and most so somewhere therein lies a quantitative measurement. Yeah I've seen the alternatve cures, Fresh Lime squeezed into Milk, garlic in Hot water. Charcoal I've even used them on the missus, (with her consent of course) no joy, same with some Aruvedic stuff given to me by a friend. Nope dysentery wasn't going to be shifted by this. I still think a lot of people use alopathic medicine in India certainly a lot (not all) of my friends do and the sheer number of chemist suggests that it's fairly commonplace! As far as travelers go, well I've met three who ended up with cysts after failing to get better from Ameobic dysentery despite bombarding their system with every natural cure known to man! The numbers are beyond me as to the amount I've seen who prolonged illnesses by some weeks by busying themselves with Aruveda and Tibeten medicines. One dose of antibiotics.............. Though a layman myself I suffer under the probable illusion that Aruveda and the like is probably better for those long term chronic illnesses but like you I'm not a doctor so I'm probably completley wrong! Nick personal hygene IS a big factor in avoiding the "runs" washing your hands isn't just a bit of Indian culture, I never did manage to old drinking with my mouth away from the cup though. It all eneded up down my shirt! Also I never recommend just getting a dose of antibiotics down you. Let the body immune system do it's work and if it can't cope well antibiotics is certainly a good cure, despite the side effects!

Mar 14th, 2007, 00:31	#104
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,648	Likewise... I just cannot do that thing . I would say that when it comes to stuff like ayurveda, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and several other respected-by-many systems, there is a world of difference between a properly qualified practitioner and the I-got-a-certificate-in-a-weekend crowd. And they are a crowd; a multitude, unfortunately who give a bad name to some good stuff. Allopathic medicine tends to be taken here like sweets. As you know most of it is available without prescription, and anti-biotic discipline is dreadful. Rather like the driving.

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