Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MUOhio82]

Not to be writing a gross post or anything, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

I've been in Korea 6 weeks. Anything I eat here that I don't buy at the grocery store, be it a snack, candy, or even Burger King, is making me so incredibly sick. If I eat at home I'm fine, but as soon as I buy something and eat it while out and about, I'm running to the bathroom within the hour.

This is like a daily thing for me, I have to leave class sometimes, and it's not very comfortable.

I'm not really sure what's causing this. I drink plenty of water, wash my fruit, and like I said, what I eat at home is fine, it's just anything that I eat while out.

Anyone had a problem like this before? How did you get it to stop?

[jdog2050]

[cruisemonkey]

Psychosomatic.

[MUOhio82]

I'm 25. I don't have a problem with the milk, I eat cereal every morning and on days I don't eat out, I'm fine. It just sucks that I can't even grab a burger or Korean food anywhere without getting sick....

Either that or I'm crazy

[Crockpot2001]

I had the same issues but it has subsided a little after 4 months. I added yogurt to my routine to help balance out the gut. It worked for me very well; it just took a couple days. There are just so many new bacteria we are exposed to when we arrive.

Make sure to look for unflavored and minimally or non-sweetened yogurt. This may be a tall order in some areas. The added sugar does not help the GI in any way and can contribute to diarrhea.

Cheers

[billybrobby]

[MUOhio82]

Yea, you're right, it must be all in my head. While I'm sleeping I must be telling my stomach "Hey, let's play a game tommorrow, it's called 'Run out of class with explosive diarrhea'".

Thanks for solving my problem for me!

Ass.

[billybrobby]

Oh, I meant to make a helpful comment but I got sidetracked by sarcasm. My stomach was pretty shaky the first month or two I was here. It may subside. Eating a consistently large amount of fiber helps too.

[Matty]

A lot of people have allergies to MSG and as I recall it can start suddenly.
Have you had headaches or and other abnormal occurrences lately?

It could just be you're adjusting to newer foods and newer bacterium (spelt wrong?)
Maybe just find some pills to settle your stomach for a few weeks and see if it is still like that afterwards, or the other way, eat more of these moods and see if you can grow more accustomed and your body may just adapt. Then again if it's an allergy perhaps not the best idea. Oh, and I have no ideas on pills, I�ve never been one to eat them myself.

Consult your local doctor?

[MUOhio82]

Oh well sarcasm I love, knock yourself out, lol.

I haven't had any headaches, and everything else is normal. I tried going to a doctor but surprise surprise, no English. But I'm in Korea, so whatever.

I'm eating pretty healthy, so hopefully it will stop. Just sucks when I come back to class and 10 little girls are like "Teacher, you OK?!"

[thorin]

Do you drink a lot of coffee, tea and/or soda? The usual hagwon diet of coffee between every class and beer all night has been known to wreck a stomach or two.

[Harpeau]

Check to see that your water is good. Also, eat lots of fiber~ Quaker Oatmeal, Alara breakfasts cereals, etc. Psylium husks might also be helpful. Talk to a dietician.

[ciccone_youth]

I think it's normal in the first few months, the adjustment to a new diet. My stomach was majorly messed up for a bit, but it's getting okay now.

[MUOhio82]

Yea during the day at school I drink water, Coke zero, and munch on crackers and nuts, like I do at home. I don't drink, so it can't be the alcohol.

[brento1138]

Everybody gets messed up for their first 3 or so months here. Don't worry, it'll go away. Just ride it out.