Hello,
The most common causes of diarrhea are
food allergy, bacterial infection (E.coli or
salmonella), viral infection (rotavirus or
norovirus) or travel diarrhea.
Coming to your case there was history of travel and abdominal cramps, so the most probable cause might be travel diarrhea. Travel diarrhea will be caused mostly by bacterial infections. These infections can occur by water, food or sanitation.
Care should be taken in any case of diarrhea, as it may lead to complications like:
1. Electrolyte imbalances
2. Renal impairment
3.
Dehydration, and
4. Defective immune system responses
Following measures are to be taken to avoid complications:
1. Plenty of water as body loses water in stools
2. ORS solution as body loses electrolytes
3.
Oral Antibiotics against bacterial infection
4. Pre and probiotics for maintainance of intestinal bacteria (useful)
5. Zinc supplementation may benefit
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Vamsi Krishna Chittimoju