When in Bali, you surely want to savor various local cuisines that offer unique and exotic flavors. However, you need to be cautious as there is a risk of encountering the infamous "Bali belly."

What is Bali Belly?

Bali belly is a term used to describe stomach issues caused by consuming food or beverages contaminated with harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. 

The pathogens most commonly contaminating food and causing infection include E. coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, and Norovirus. 

These infections can lead to symptoms such as stomach pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, dizziness, and dehydration. 

This condition often affects tourists who taste Bali's local cuisine prepared with low hygiene standards, such as. For instance, eating from wet plates, undercooked food, or food prepared with unwashed hands using soap and water.

Apart from pathogen infections, Bali belly may also occur due to the stomach's reaction to the traditional ingredients and spices used in food preparation. Consequently, the stomach needs to adapt, resulting in discomfort.

However, why do locals seem unaffected by consuming such food? This is because locals are accustomed to it and likely have developed specific immune systems.

How to Treat Bali Belly

If you experience symptoms of Bali belly, you should promptly contact a doctor and seek medical attention. While awaiting a consultation appointment, you can also take the following steps to alleviate symptoms:

1. Drink Plenty of Water

To prevent dehydration due to prolonged diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or fever, it is recommended to consume more water than usual. This is crucial for preventing dehydration. Ensure only to consume boiled or bottled mineral water.

2. Drink Oral Rehydration Solutions

In addition to drinking water, you can also consume oral rehydration solutions, which are compounds of electrolytes and minerals. 

You can obtain these solutions at the nearest pharmacy. Remember not to consume these solutions for more than 3 consecutive days. Seek a doctor's advice if dehydration symptoms persist.

3. Take Anti-Nausea Medication

Anti-nausea medication will help you eat and drink more comfortably. This way, your body receives nutrients to recover and avoids dehydration from vomiting.

4. Avoid Dairy Products

For some people, dairy-containing products can worsen diarrhea. Therefore, it is advisable to limit the consumption of dairy products, including fresh milk, during the recovery period.

5. Avoid Spicy Foods and Alcohol

Not only dairy products, but spicy and oily foods can also exacerbate diarrhea. Therefore, refrain from consuming these foods altogether until fully recovered. Also, avoid alcohol consumption to make your stomach feel more comfortable.

6. Take Anti-Diarrheal Medication

You can obtain anti-diarrheal medication at the nearest pharmacy. This medication is consumed to solidify the stool and hence help reduce the frequency of bowel movements. 

Other anti-diarrheal medication may reduce the peristaltic movements and stop the bowel movements altogether. However, avoid taking this medication if you have a fever. Stopping bowel movements is akin to blocking the exit of bacteria and toxins produced by them from the body.

These are some ways you can deal with Bali belly until you can schedule a consultation with a doctor. After visiting the doctor and receiving a diagnosis of infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill bacteria in your stomach.

How to Prevent Bali Belly

There are several methods you can employ to ensure you can still enjoy delicious Balinese cuisine without fear of indigestion and stomachaches, namely:

1. Always wash your hands with soap or use hand sanitizer before eating and touching your face.

2. Avoid drinking tap water. Consume boiled water or bottled water only. The same goes for brushing your teeth and gargling.

3. Ensure that the tea, coffee, or fruit juice you consume is made from boiled or bottled water.

4. When purchasing food from street vendors, ask for drinks without ice. Often, ice is made from tap water.

5. Ensure that vendors thoroughly dry the glasses and plates before placing food or drinks on them. Wet utensils are a gateway for harmful pathogens to contaminate food.

6. Be cautious when buying pre-cut fruit from street vendors. Ensure that the seller peels the fruit with clean hands and a clean knife. Also, make sure the fruit is washed with boiled or bottled water. It's safer to buy whole fruit and cut it yourself.

7.  Choose reputable restaurants if you want to eat raw or undercooked food such as sashimi or salad.

8. Avoid consuming food served buffet-style or left in the room for too long.

9. Avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products, shaved ice, or mobile soft ice cream vendors.

10. Choose popular restaurants with good reviews and a fast turnover of customers. This ensures that the food served is fresh and hot, not pre-cooked.

If you experience Bali belly, the best place for consultation and treatment is Bali International Hospital. This hospital is located in the Special Economic Zone for Health known as The Sanur. 

Equipped with modern medical technology, world-class service, and a serene environment, it offers an accurate and comfortable healing experience. 

Schedule a consultation now to recover quickly and fully experience the wonders of Bali Island, free from the discomfort of Bali belly!