How to overcome water change in India — Prevention of deli belly, management of intestinal adaptation period, useful over-the-counter medicine

Stomach upset within the first week or two of arriving in India is not a medical condition.Traveler's Diarrheacorresponds to. It is a symptom that occurs when the intestines have not yet adapted to the microorganisms contained in water and food in an unfamiliar area. Even people who only use hotels and high-end restaurants with good hygiene management often experience it at least once. This means that you should not blame yourself for failing to manage it just because you got caught.

The causes can be broadly categorized into four categories.

• water quality differences— Korea is a rare country where you can drink tap water, but tap water in India is not potable water. The composition of microorganisms in the water itself is different, so the intestines react sensitively even to small amounts of exposure.
• food environment— Recipes with a lot of oil and spices, sauces left at room temperature for a long time, and the way raw vegetables are handled are different from Korea.
• climate— Summers in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida exceed 40 degrees Celsius, and humidity soars during the monsoon season, making it easy for food poisoning bacteria to multiply.
• relocation stress— Jet lag, a new environment, and work pressure all decrease immunity and digestive function.

The important thing is to change the waterA problem that is a mixture of 'avoidable parts' and 'adaptable parts'This is the point. The risk is greatly reduced by managing only water, ice, and raw food, and the body gradually adapts to the rest. I'll organize them in that order below.

In reality, the most common route for water change is through food.water and iceno see. The great principles of Indian life are simple.All water entering the mouth is bottled water or RO (Reverse Osmosis) water.It has to be.

• For bottled water, check the lid seal first.— Use large brand bottled water such as Bisleri, Kinley, or Aquafina, but make sure the bottle cap seal is intact before opening.
• At home, there is an RO water purifier or a 20L water bottle.— Many rental houses and serviced apartments in Delhi NCR are equipped with RO water purifiers. If not, you can avail regular delivery of 20 liter water bottles. It is much more economical than buying bottled water every time.
• Ice is ‘rejected if you don’t know the source’— If you cannot confirm that the ice is made from purified water, it is safe to ask for it to be removed by saying “No ice, please” before acclimatizing.
• In the beginning, brushing your teeth was done with bottled water.— For those with sensitive skin, we recommend using bottled water or purified water for brushing teeth and rinsing your mouth for the first few weeks. After getting used to it, many people return to brushing their teeth with tap water.
• Beware of water kettles in restaurants— It may be unclear whether the water provided as standard at local restaurants is purified, so order bottled water separately.

Tips for choosing a bottled water brand and installing and maintaining an RO water purifierGuide to Safe Drinking Water in IndiaIt is covered in detail, so I recommend that you read it together.

There is a saying that has been passed down for a long time among travelers.“Peel it, boil it, cook it, or forget it”— This means do not eat it unless it is peeled, boiled, or cooked. This principle was still applied even in the early days of settlement in India. The key is'Hot, freshly cooked food is relatively safe, but raw food exposed to room temperature is dangerous.'is.

When eating outA restaurant with a quick turnover of customersIt is basic to choose . This is because food is not stored for long and is constantly being cooked again. Ratings and reviews of delivery apps can also be used as a reference. Street food is a great pleasure in Indian food culture, but you may want to put it off for the first month or two before your gut adapts. When attempting a challenge, the trick is to start with items that are immediately fried in oil and served hot. Even when cooking at home, you can feel much safer if you get into the washing habit of rinsing raw vegetables with purified water and soaking fruits and vegetables.

Preventing water changes is not about ‘living with caution for the rest of your life’.The process of adapting the intestines by gradually increasing exposureno see. In practice, most people feel noticeably more comfortable within the first month or two. The roadmap that local Koreans naturally follow is generally as follows.

1. Week 1 — Conservatively: Eat mainly home-cooked meals, hotels, and certified restaurants, and strictly follow the water and ice rules. Since this is a time when jet lag and moving fatigue overlap, the priority is not to put a strain on your intestines.
2. Weeks 2-4 — Increase your radius: Expand the scope of eating out, starting with restaurants that have been verified by coworkers or acquaintances. For menus with strong spices, try them in stages, starting with mild ones.
3. Month 1-2 — Expansion of local cuisine: Try local restaurants and new menus while watching your physical condition. This is the time to try fresh fruit juice or lassi if it is a store with proven hygiene.
4. Afterwards — Creating Personal Standards: The speed of adaptation varies greatly from person to person. Don't overdo it by thinking, 'Others are fine, but I'm just sensitive,' and use the range your gut allows as a standard.

As an aid to smoothly get through the adaptation period,Probiotics (lactic acid bacteria)A widely used method is to take it consistently even before taking office. Also, regardless of whether there is diarrhea or notWater and electrolyte replenishmentMake it a habit. Combined with the loss of moisture through sweat in hot weather, even a mild stomach upset can quickly lead to dehydration. If you're a family with children, it's safer to be a step more conservative than adults - it's safer to focus your child's dining menu around things adults tried first and liked.

Preparing for a water change does not need to be anything extravagant. The key isPreventing Dehydration (ORS)classTemporarily controlling symptoms (antidiarrheal medication)There are two, the rest are secondary.

One thing to note — although antibiotics are relatively easy to obtain in Indian pharmacies,It is not recommended to take antibiotics at your own discretion.. There are also resistance issues, and the medication needed varies depending on the cause of the symptoms (bacterial, viral, parasitic), so be sure to see a doctor. Procuring over-the-counter medications itself is not difficult. There are large pharmacy chains like Apollo Pharmacy, and you can also order at home through drug delivery apps like Tata 1mg and PharmEasy. The prices of over-the-counter medicines are generally less expensive than in Korea, but there are differences depending on the product and region. How to use a pharmacy and the procedure for purchasing prescription drugsHow to use Indian pharmaciesWe have summarized it in detail.

Most water changes pass within a few days with hydration and rest. However, if you see the signs below, you should stop self-care and go to the hospital.

• Diarrhea that does not improve after 48 hours, or frequent diarrhea more than 6 times a day
• High fever (approximately 38.5 degrees or higher)If accompanied by
• bloody or mucous stool— There is a possibility of bacterial infection, so it is rather dangerous to use anti-diarrheal medication.
• dehydration symptoms— Noticeable decrease in urine output or darker color, dizziness, dry mouth
• When vomiting is so severe that you can't even drink water
• Infants, pregnant women, elderly peopleEven if the symptoms seem mild, it is safe to seek medical attention early.

Delhi NCR has large private general hospitals such as Max, Fortis, Apollo, and Medanta, so you can easily receive emergency and gastroenterology treatment. If you have your company group insurance card or policy number in advance, application will be much faster, and ambulance102 or 108no see. Procedures for choosing a hospital, using the emergency room, and making an appointmentGuide to using hospitals in IndiaPlease continue checking here.

Lastly, if symptoms persist for several weeks or repeatedly get better and worse, it may not be a simple water change but a parasitic infection such as Giardia. In this case, general anti-diarrheal or anti-diarrheal medication does not cure the condition, so the cause must be confirmed at a hospital where tests are available and an appropriate prescription must be received. Don’t just pass it over and think, ‘Time will tell.’