Bali Belly – unpleasant to say the least

What is Bali Belly?

“Bali Belly” is a term often used by travelers to describe an upset stomach or gastroenteritis experienced during their trip to Bali. Despite its name, Bali Belly is not exclusive to Bali and does of course occur in any travel destination. It is simply an upset stomach that can be triggered by various factors. Therefore Bali Belly is a colloquial term for travelers’ diarrhea. It involves symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. These symptoms are generally mild but can be quite uncomfortable and disruptive to travel plans.

What are the Causes of Bali Belly?

There are multiple factors that can lead to Bali Belly, including:

Contaminated Food and Water:
Consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites can cause stomach upset. Common culprits include E. coli, Salmonella, and norovirus.

New Foods and Spices:
Travelers may encounter new foods and spices that their bodies are simply not accustomed to, which can lead to digestive issues.

Hygiene Standards:
Variations in hygiene standards can contribute to the risk of contracting gastroenteritis. This includes the cleanliness of food preparation areas and personal hygiene practices.

How to avoid getting the Bali Belly?

Preventing Bali Belly involves taking a few precautionary measures:

Drink Bottled or Purified Water:

Avoid tap water and ice made from tap water. Stick to bottled or purified water for drinking and brushing your teeth. and, don’t drink tab water! And if you can brush your teeth with bottles water.

Be Cautious with Food:

If you have a sensitive stomach, then definitely eat at restaurants and avoid street food if you are unsure of its preparation. Ensure that you order dishes where meat is thoroughly cooked. In restaurants the chances are much higher that fruits and vegetables are properly washed and prepared.

Maintain Good Hygiene:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating. Use hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available.

Introduce New Foods Gradually:

If trying new or spicy foods, introduce them gradually to see how your body reacts.

How to treat the Bali Belly?

If you do experience symptoms of Bali Belly, here are some steps to manage it:

Stay Hydrated:

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) can help replace lost electrolytes.

Rest:

Get plenty of rest to allow your body to recover.

Over-the-Counter Medications:

Anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (Imodium) can help manage symptoms. However, use them cautiously and avoid them if you have a high fever or bloody stools.

Seek Medical Advice:

If symptoms persist for more than a couple of days, or if you experience severe symptoms such as high fever, dehydration, or bloody diarrhea, seek medical attention immediately.
Ask the staff at the reception to help you find the nearest clinic or doctor. Some hotels cooperate with clinics and nurses and will send somebody to your room that can even give you IVs with ninerals and vitamins, without that you need to go out yourself.

Why is it called Bali Belly?

To get an upset stomach while traveling is of course not only happening when in Bali. It is not specific to Bali and can occur in any travel destination.

These terms, though humorous, highlight a common issue faced by travelers worldwide. Decades ago, when Bali tourism was less developed and let’s say more “improvised” and surfers ate the cheapest streed food to stretch their traveling budget as long as possible, the Bali Belly was much more common and that’s when the name found its origin.

There ais another humourus expression that become popular. The Bali Kiss or also the Bali Tattoo (when it scars). “a burn on your leg from a motorbike exhaust pipe!

While this still happens sometimes, it’s extremely rare now, because the exhaust pipes are usually covered with a  piece of plastic  that does not heat up .

The Bali Belly in other parts of the world

Montezuma’s Revenge (Mexico):

Named after the Aztec emperor Montezuma, this term refers to traveler’s diarrhea that often affects visitors to Mexico. It is usually caused by consuming contaminated food or water.

Delhi Belly (India):

This term is used to describe gastrointestinal issues experienced by travelers in India, often due to the country’s diverse cuisine and varying hygiene standards.

Pharaoh’s Revenge (Egypt):

A playful nod to the country’s ancient history, this term is used for the upset stomachs tourists often get in Egypt, typically due to contaminated food or water.

Turkey Trots (Turkey):

Similar to the other terms, this refers to the diarrhea experienced by travelers visiting Turkey, often resulting from consuming local food and beverages.

Kenya Quickstep (Kenya):

A term used by travelers in Kenya to describe the swift onset of diarrhea, typically caused by bacterial or parasitic infections from contaminated food or water.