Imagine if you’ve saved your whole life for a dream vacation, only to get there and not be able to leave your room. Or, if you’re on a business trip to make that key presentation, but you’re stuck in the bathroom instead of the boardroom. Or worse, you’re hospitalized because you require intravenous (IV) hydration.

Unfortunately, these scenarios do occur to travelers who develop diarrhea and vomiting, often resulting from bacteria, viruses, parasites, infections or allergies found in contaminated food and beverages or just "in the air." People around the world still remember the infamous George Bush episode in Japan.

Although usually mild, traveler’s diarrhea can be dangerous and result in dehydration. It also can cause protein loss and increase susceptibility to other illnesses.

There is hope though. Diarrhea does not have to control you and ruin your travels. You can control diarrhea and even prevent dehydration with relative ease. 

CeraLyte® in your suitcase

When packing your suitcase, you should include a mini first-aid kit with such items as:

• soap
• handwipes
• Tylenol
• Pepto Bismol
• an antibiotic (ciprofloxicin and norfloxicin are often prescribed)
• bandages
• an antiseptic

To prevent or treat dehydration, you also should include an oral electrolyte rehydration solution (ORS) — a scientifically blended formulation of sugar or cereal, salts and water designed to match the composition of the fluid lost during diarrhea, such as CeraLyte packets.

As fluid leaves the body’s cells, it must be replaced to restore both composition and volume. Plain water (which overseas can cause diarrhea in the first place), tea, soda and juice are not effective in replacing what the body loses during diarrhea and vomiting, as they do not have the needed electrolytes, and sweet drinks can actually increase the fluid losses.

The right diarrhea remedy is an ORS. In fact, the renowned British medical journal, The Lancet, called an ORS the "miracle solution of this century" because it is an effective, simple and low cost way to prevent death or serious consequences from diarrhea. And the World Health Organization has deemed an ORS the recommended treatment for any kind of diarrhea worldwide.
 
Why rice is nice

If used early, at the onset of the diarrhea episode, an ORS can prevent dehydration. And rice-based oral electrolyte rehydration solutions have been recognized as the most effective type of ORS.
Rice-based solutions provide enhanced absorption for rapid restoration of fluid volume and cell balance, thereby promoting early recovery of intestinal function. Compared with glucose (and especially over "just any fluid,"), rice-based solutions reduce fluid losses by 20 to 30 percent, shorten diarrhea episodes by about one day, and promote a quicker recovery.

Cera Products, together with physicians from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has developed CeraLyte, a rice-based ORS that meets World Health Organization standards and is drawing rave reviews from medical and travel personnel and travelers themselves.
 
About CeraLyte®

"Why anyone with diarrhea should take CeraLyte as early as possible, taking as much as you need to compensate for the amount of fluid you are passing," said Dr. William Greenough, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Drinking CeraLyte at the start of the illness can avert dehydration."

"CeraLyte is an excellent product that you can sip to replace your fluid and electrolyte loss," said Fran Lessans, RN, president of Passport Health, Inc. — a complete travel and medical service with offices across the country. "It will help get you on the road to recovery quickly."

Available as a powder that can be reconstituted with water, CeraLyte comes in five flavors, three sodium strengths (50mEq/L, 70mEq/L, 90mEq/L) and two packet sizes (single or 1L pitcher size serving). The powder is stirred into hot or cold drinking water, depending on what room service or a local market may have.

CeraLyte’s patented formula works faster than glucose-based solutions. Because of its low osmolality, it delivers water and nutrients more efficiently. Overall, the product’s quick absorption rate helps shorten the length of the illness and the amount of fluid loss by 20 to 30 percent.
 
CeraLyte to the Rescue

"During my recent medical mission to Uganda, a nurse and I served almost 950 people. Frequently, we would encounter patients with severe diarrhea who were brought to us limp. CeraLyte was used to a remarkably good effect. The patients would often get up and walk away," said Dr. Kevin Rossiter. "During the mission I myself developed severe gastrointestinal problems and was quite disabled. Using an intense regimen of CeraLyte, my recovery was accelerated."

Where to find CeraLyte®

CeraLyte is available through most wholesale distribution companies, catalogs, travel clinics (i.e. Johns Hopkins Travel Clinic, Passport Health, SmarTravel, Pocket Doctor, International Travelers Clinic, Travel & Immunization Clinic, Travelers Service), hospitals and pharmacies, or direct from Cera Products at www.ceralyte.com.

It’s easy to tuck into a purse, knapsack or travel bag. It prevents dehydration and other unpleasant-ries from diarrhea. And it even has been found to speed recovery from jet lag, safely rehydrating you (from the plane’s dry air) so you will be energized to experience your vacation! In short, CeraLyte is a must to have on your travels…and at home.
 
Cera Goes To Greenland
 
"Just a few notes for you – hope you are all well. You supplied us with some CeraSport electrolyte packages for an expedition to North Greenland this year and expressed interest in the journey. The packages formed part of our first aid kit (dehydration, especially in the cold and in an isolated area like this, can be fatal - in fact, the USAF recently lost a recruit during a long march due to overhydration without benefit of lost electrolyte replacement). The photo shows me with two packs of CeraSport/CeraLyte, at the northernmost point of continuous land on earth – Kap Morris Jesup, in Greenland. The Danish Siriva Patrol erected the flagpole – they stop by occasionally to replace the flag (and to "show the flag" as well Norway almost took over N. Greenland several decades ago because they figured the Danish weren’t interested). As you can see from the lack of snow/ice on the ground, this is a true desert. The ice in the far background is the Artic Ocean ice shelf.
Best wishes for 2000."
– Victor P. Bradford

Overseas Travelers Beware

Sanitation is a real danger overseas, as lack of it can lead to diarrhea. To prevent this condition from ruining a trip abroad, Fran Lessans, RN, president of the national travel medicine clinic chain, Passport Health, Inc. recommends the following precautions:

• Always carry CeraLyte. "Travelers should carry CeraLyte in their purse or backpack," agreed Dr. William Greenough, a physician at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

• Bring wipes or antiseptic towelettes, as many foreign hotels don’t replenish used towels with fresh ones daily.

• Avoid restaurants that aren’t crowded because food may sit around for hours (or even days.)

• Bring your own water purification system and beware of bottled water. Unlike popular sentiment, bottled water is not always safe. The bottles can be reused with dirty water. If you are going to buy bottled water, never buy from anyone carrying bottles by their neck, and only buy bottles with metal caps.

• Brush your teeth with purified water.

• Don’t drink water from the shower or sink.

• Be sure that your plates and dishes are dry. They can be wet with contaminated water.

• Don’t buy food from vendors whose carts have poor sanitation with no place for vendors to wash their hands, and ample space for germs to hide and spread.

She added that it is in travelers’ best interest to avoid foreign medical facilities if possible. If they do need to visit one, it is important to check that the supplies are not re-used.

CeraLyte: Travel Testimonials

"My husband and I purchased several cases of your product as a donation to the orphanage we were receiving our son from. We met our son Thomas Lee in Phnom Penn, Cambodia! We were so happy to present our donations to the orphanage, but nothing would compare to the gratefulness of the staff. The children and the babies residing there greatly need ways to combat the many incidents of diarrhea and vomiting! We are confident your product will make a difference to those children left behind at the orphanage. Thank you!"
Bryan and Lorraine L., Pennsylvania
 
"Thank you so much for providing this product – it did indeed save Becky’s field study experience abroad!"
Judi S., Vermont
 
"Thanks again for saving our trip to Africa. I know the next time we travel abroad, we will remember to pack the CeraLyte.
Kosha K. D., Maryland
 
"I mixed the unflavored CeraLyte, one liter at a time, with a packet of unsweetened grape Kool Aid and some Sweet and Low, with a little ice, and it was great!"
Lisa F., New York City

Cera Products

8265-I Patuxent Range Road, Jessup, MD 20794 USA, Tel: 301-490-4941 or 1-888-CERALYTE. ©Copyright 1999 - 2008 Cera Products, Inc., all rights reserved.