How to get over a Bali Belly
What sounds like a new Hollywood diet for a flatter belly, is actually one of Bali‘s least enjoyable attractions: the Bali Belly, which causes symptoms like abdominal bloating, cramps and pain, nausea and/or vomiting, frequency in going to the toilet, diarrhoea, mild temperature and general malaise. In short: it lays you out and makes you feel like the end might just be near. But no worries, it typically clears up within 24 hours.
Often it's caught within the first week of your holiday as your body adjusts to a new environment with new foods and different bacteria. Also, the wet season increases the risk of getting the Bali Belly by constant and strong rains washing garbage and grey water into the ocean.
No one would like to spend the holiday on a paradise island with those terrible symptoms. That’s why we would like to give you some tips on how you can try to avoid getting or deal with Bali Belly!
How to avoid Bali Belly
Moderating the changes you make to your daily diet and lifestyle, particularly in the first few days of your Bali holiday will help to minimise the risk of contracting Bali Belly. Since the water quality on the island is not the same as western standards, you should always avoid drinking tap water or consuming food rinsed in tap water and follow the mantra: Cook it, peel it or forget it!
The bacteria that cause Bali Belly can be contagious and transmitted between people. That’s why personal hygiene is also an important factor and hand washing should be done thoroughly, particularly after going to the toilet, handling money and before you eat.
Since the ocean gets dirtier during the wet season, surfing after heavy rain isn’t always the best idea. In case you couldn’t resist (which, by the way, is very understandable) we recommend you, drink a fresh coconut, which contains antibacterial substances and protects the stomach afterwards.
As long as you are sensible about where you eat, what you eat, water intake and personal hygiene, you can minimise your risk.
What to do if the Bali Belly caught you
Even if you are careful and pay attention to everything, the Bali Belly can catch you. If this happens, here are a few tips to get back on your feet and back to surfing quickly:
Rehydration is the first step whenever possible. Try to drink as much water as you can or isotonic drinks. Also, solutions such as Hydralyte help you rehydrate faster and supply your body with electrolytes. Hydralyte is widely available in local pharmacies.
Stick to a bland diet: Avoid food with spices and oil, dairy products, and alcohol, as well as limit both vegetable and fruit intake. Better grab some easily digested foods like soups and stews, potatoes, rice or bananas.
Taking probiotics during/after diarrhoea has also been proven to help, with the potential to shorten the period of illness and reduce the severity of the symptoms. Either you can take them as pills or as a drink. You can find it in almost every market in Bali. It is a cheap way and it contains good bacteria that will help your stomach to calm down, also in prevention 1-2 weeks before you are starting your Bali holiday.
Anti-diarrhoea medications like activated charcoal tablets will help you to get over Bali Belly faster. You can get it in your home country or in Bali at the pharmacy and supermarkets where you mostly find it under the name „Norit“.
Imodium stops diarrhoea. However, the germs remain in the body, which is rather counterproductive. Therefore, you should only take it in acute emergencies, when you get it on the road, or you are travelling for a long time, such as on the plane home.
Dehydration can be a serious consequence of Bali Belly. If you think you are suffering from dehydration or any of the above-mentioned are not working and you’re staying sick for several days in a row, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Hopefully, these tips will help you out if the disgusting Bali Belly is hitting you!
Kima x SUNGAI Watch Partnership
The pollution of the ocean, is not only a problem when it comes to the Bali Belly, but a big challenge that Bali and also Kima has to face in general. Therefore, we support the organization SUNGAI Watch on our mission to stop plastic from going into the ocean.
