Have you ever visited a new country and suddenly found that instead of a trip to the museum, you feel compelled to explore the foreign bathrooms? If so, you may have experienced Montezuma’s Revenge. Montezuma’s Revenge is diarrhea that is usually experienced by people traveling south of the U.S. border, especially to Mexico and Central America – hence the dramatic name. This unpleasant souvenir is usually caused by an intestinal bacteria, virus or other microbes that are present in the water or food supply of the country visited.
Montezuma’s Revenge Symptoms
Also known as traveler’s diarrhea, the main symptom is, well, diarrhea. Diarrhea is defined by an increase in the frequency of watery, loose stools. People who have Montezuma’s Revenge typically spend a lot of time in the bathroom, which is not where you want to be spending all your vacation time.
Montezuma’s Revenge Treatments
To find relief from your traveler’s diarrhea, treat it like normal diarrhea. Since your body is busy expelling fluids, it’s key to drink lots of water to keep your body from becoming dehydrated. Eating soup or broth can help replenish much-needed salt reserves in your body and help you feel better while you wait out Montezuma’s Revenge.
For fast* relief from traveler’s diarrhea, turn to Pepto Diarrhea. Pepto Diarrhea gets to the source of your discomfort with a dual-action formula, coating your stomach and killing the bacteria that causes most diarrhea. Some anti-diarrhea medicines don’t actually kill bacteria; they merely treat the symptoms! Pepto Diarrhea comes in many forms (liquid, LiquiCap, and caplet), so you can choose the form that is most convenient for you to take on your next trip!
Whichever treatment method you use, make sure to rest. Your body is going through a lot (and a lot is going through it). Give it some time to recuperate. Maybe use this time as an excuse to introduce yourself to some foreign soap operas.
Montezuma’s Revenge Prevention
If you want to avoid traveler’s diarrhea, there are some simple rules to follow. First, forgo tap water and opt for bottled water instead. It may not be the best for the environment, but it will be better for your gut. Second, make sure you eat foods at the temperature at which they are safest to be eaten. Make sure to avoid any undercooked meats, fish or shellfish and stay away from fresh veggies or fruits from developing countries. Keep Pepto Diarrhea on hand as a backup in case Montezuma reigns victorious over your intestines.
*Use as directed for relief of upset stomach due to overindulgence in food and drink, including heartburn, nausea, gas, belching and fullness.
