Health problems faced by foreigners in Nepal
Agency: In normal circumstances, what could be the health problems faced by foreigners in Nepal? What are their causes & methods of treatment?
The two foremost health problems faced by foreigners in Nepal would be gastroenteritis and stomach infection caused either by food or water contaminated sources.
Stomach or GIT (Gastro Intestinal Tract) infection amounts to almost 60% of disease suffered by them.
It is interesting to note that bit of times 70% or more people eat the same food like ‘Dal-Bhat’ (traditional Nepali lunch or dinner set or even let’s say pizza) and only 1 or 2 get sick. Guess it’s a question of one’s immunity playing a role have. Especially, we Nepalis over the years, have gotten used to the food water contaminants and develop immunity even to Cholera.
This is the exactly what happened in Haiti. Some of the UN troops from Nepal who went there were Cholera carriers which set a Cholera endemic there. But that was rare but true case.
Usually the stomach infection is either bacterial or dysentery. The common mistake I see when foreigners take OTC (over the counter) medications from pharmacy without doctor’s consultation is taking dysentery medications for bacterial infection.
Bacterial infection causes watery diarrhea with or without nausea/vomiting. In worse scenario, fever will also be present. The presentation in dysentery is soft stool with mucus. Blood may be present. Lower abdomen cramps will be there.
Treatment would be:
- Anti- diarrhea capsules
- Proper Antibiotics
- Anti-Nausea mouth dissolving tablets
- Oral rehydration packets (ORP)
- Pomegranate; good natural source of diarrhea control
- Banana; good both in constipation/diarrhea
- Avoid Eggs, milk, fish, spicy foods
The other common ailment to affect foreigners would be respiratory tract infection like pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis or even bronchitis. This is due to the adverse air pollution condition in especially Kathmandu.
Treatment/prevention would be to:
Avoid Ice, cold food items
Wear Mask
Proper antibiotics
Gargle
Anti- histamines
Decongestants
