Feeling stomach discomfort while traveling in Bali? You may be suffering from a digestive disorder commonly known as Bali belly. When you have it, you’ll lose a lot of body fluids. You must replenish those fluids to prevent dehydration.

What Are the Main Symptoms of Bali Belly?

What exactly causes someone to experience Bali belly? The causes can range from consuming unclean water to food intolerance. If you’re visiting from outside Bali and trying many local dishes, you may sometimes be less tolerant of the ingredients in those foods.

The condition worsens when you experience diarrhea and vomiting at the same time. You’ll lose two essentials for your body: electrolytes and fluids. You need to seek medical attention immediately to restore your metabolism to a healthy state. So, what symptoms do people with Bali Belly experience?

Feeling Nauseous

You may feel nauseous for hours on end. You might find it hard to eat during this time. You might even vomit because the nausea is so severe. Refusing food or drinks will make it difficult for you to take medication.

Watery Diarrhea

When you have Bali belly, you’ll find yourself making frequent trips to the bathroom. This can disrupt the plans you’ve made for your trip to Bali. Instead of solid stools, you’ll notice a very watery consistency when you have a bowel movement.

Severe Stomach Cramps

This symptom is also what drives you to the bathroom more frequently. Your stomach will feel as if it’s being twisted; you’ll experience an extreme, cramping sensation that’s very uncomfortable. You may find it difficult to focus on your activities while in this condition.

Bloating

You’ll also feel as though your stomach is full, even though you haven’t eaten much at that moment. When you’re bloated like this, it’s uncomfortable and not ideal for continuing your travels in this condition.

When Should You Seek Medical Help?

Everyone’s condition can vary. For some, symptoms may resolve on their own, while others may experience more severe cases. You need to clearly understand what you’re experiencing at the time. If your condition becomes very severe, you should contact a doctor immediately.

In Bali, you may become dehydrated more quickly, especially during the scorching midday heat. Below are several conditions that signal you need professional medical intervention:

Persistent High Fever

Generally, your fever may subside after a few hours, especially if you’ve already taken acetaminophen. If your fever remains persistently high and doesn’t go down, see a doctor immediately for an examination. Check now, is your body temperature above 38.5°C?

Such a high temperature is a sign that you should see a doctor, especially if you’ve already rested, but the temperature still hasn’t gone down. A high fever can also be a sign of other serious medical conditions, don’t take it lightly.

Inability to Keep Fluids Down

You may have tried drinking plenty of mineral water or electrolyte solutions, but you might end up vomiting them all back up due to your symptoms. This is a frustrating condition, but you still need to stay hydrated no matter what. In extreme cases of Bali belly, you might be unable to keep any fluids down for up to 12 hours.

In fact, anything you drink will be immediately vomited due to severe nausea. If you experience this while in Bali, contact a doctor immediately.

Intense Abdominal Pain (Localized)

Rather than widespread cramping throughout your abdomen, Bali belly symptoms tend to be localized to a single spot. So, pay attention to how the pain you’re experiencing manifests. Is it a constant pain in one spot, or is it widespread abdominal cramping? Generally, this pain is very sharp, but everyone’s pain tolerance varies.

Signs of Dehydration

How do you know if you’re dehydrated? One sign is your lips, check to see if they’re chapped. Dehydrated people have chapped lips that appear pale.

Another sign of dehydration is sunken eyes; the skin around the eyes appears thinner, less elastic, and dry. Sunken eyes make the area under your eyes appear darker or deeper. What else can you check to see if you’re dehydrated? Another clear sign is infrequent urination; this is because you don’t have enough fluid to expel from your body.

Which Doctor or Clinic Should You Contact?

If this is your first time, you might be unsure of what to do if you or a family member comes down with Bali belly. In some cases, Bali belly may resolve on its own, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes the symptoms of Bali belly can worsen, and always remember that everyone’s medical condition is different.

If you’re unsure which doctor to choose while in Bali, try finding out if any of them offer Bali belly IV drips. A Bali belly IV drip can help you recover faster by restoring nutrients, alleviating symptoms, and rehydrating you. Other benefits include reducing cramps, detoxifying the body, and boosting immunity.

FastDripBali offers home service for every treatment, including IV drips for Bali belly patients. They excel in comprehensive inpatient care, guaranteed sterility, 24/7 emergency response, and professional staff. Do not let severe symptoms persist; seek medical attention immediately if you experience the signs described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is “Bali belly”?

It’s a gastrointestinal infection commonly known as traveler’s diarrhea; symptoms include watery stools, nausea, abdominal cramps or pain, and vomiting. Causes can include consuming unhygienic food or beverages, as well as food intolerance.

How can I recover from Bali belly?

Rehydration is essential for treating Bali belly; be sure to get plenty of rest. If you want a quick resolution, you can rely on IV drip therapy.

When will the diarrhea go away?

You can expect the diarrhea to subside on its own within 1–4 days. In severe cases, diarrhea may be caused by parasites or bacteria, and it can take up to 2 weeks to resolve.

What should you avoid when suffering from Bali belly?

Avoid consuming milk, dairy products, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Avoid drinks with ice cubes, especially if you’re unsure whether they were made with tap water or not.