Intestinal Troubles - Playa Del Carmen

Despite all the dire warnings, a bout of diarrhoea ("Montezuma's Revenge", or simply turista as it's invariably known in Mexico) is the only medical problem you're at all likely to encounter. No one, however cautious they are, seems to avoid it altogether, largely because there are no reliable preventive measures. It's caused by the bacteria in Mexican food, which are different from (as well as more numerous than) those found in other Western diets, and is compounded by the change in diet and routine.

If you go down with a mild dose of the runs unaccompanied by other symptoms, this will probably be the cause. If your diarrhoea is accompanied by cramps and vomiting, it could be food poisoning of some sort. Either way, it will probably pass of its own accord in 24-48 hours without treatment. In the meantime, it's essential to replace the fluid and salts you're losing, so drink lots of water with oral rehydration salts - suero oral (brand names: Dioralyte, Electrosol, Rehidrat). If you can't get these, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt and three of sugar in a litre of water. Avoid greasy food, heavy spices, caffeine and most fruit and dairy products; some say bananas, papayas, guavas and prickly pears (tunas) are a help, while plain yogurt or a broth made from yeast extract (such as Marmite or Vegemite, if you happen to have some with you) can be easily absorbed by your body when you have diarrhoea. Drugs like Lomotil or Imodium plug you up - and thus undermine the body's efforts to rid itself of infection - but they can be a temporary stop-gap if you have to travel. If symptoms persist for more than three days, or if you have a fever or blood in your stools, you should seek medical advice.