Monsoon Alert – Beware of Gastroenteritis

Also referred to as Food poisoning, ‘Gastroenteritis‘ is a highly contagious viral infection of the stomach and intestines. It commonly shows symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, body ache, stomach cramps and fever with chills. A mild case of gastro can be treated with over-the-counter medication whereby the symptoms last for approximately 2 to 4 days. During this time, dehydration could be one of the major concerns for the patient owing to massive loss of fluid from the body. It is thus essential to consume plenty of water with and between meals and stick to a bland diet. High fever accompanied by blood in the vomit or stool, could be an indication that the patient’s symptoms have worsened and he/she may have to be admitted to a medical facility for advanced treatment with IV fluids.

As per the recent figures provided by the BMC’s health department, 1,023 cases of gastroenteritis were reported last month in civic hospitals. In the past few days, the BMC hospitals have received more than 66 gastroenteritis cases.

Mumbai is already under a spell of gastro diseases, it’s about time; you get acquainted with the lesser known facts

Mumbai is already under a spell of gastro diseases, it’s about time; you get acquainted with the lesser known facts

• Gastroenteritis is typically caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter or a virus like Norovirus. This virus is commonly transmitted by drinking contaminated water, consumption of raw/undercooked food and improper hand washing, especially by food handlers.
• Not only adults but kids too can contract this disease. The smaller/younger the child, the earlier medical assessment should be sought
• Gastroenteritis is easily transmittable. The virus that causes this disease thrives in our faeces and vomit. One of the symptoms associated with gastro is vomiting and often particles become airborne during or after people puke, thereby infecting others around. Even a sneeze could be responsible for spreading this virus. Patients can spread this virus up to 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped. If you are nursing someone who is suffering from Gastroenteritis, make sure you take necessary precautions to protect yourself.
• A thorough physical exam is the basis of diagnosis for gastroenteritis. A stool sample could give a better understanding of this disease and help in detecting the exact type of virus (parasitic or bacterial infection) that has caused the illness
• Bacterial gastroenteritis is spread as a result of poor hygiene (mainly if people do not wash their hands properly after using the washroom, or after cleaning vomit or dirty nappies). Rotten food and pets could also be the carriers of this virus. The symptoms of food poisoning usually starts to show almost 6 to 12 hours after consuming rotten or contaminated food & beverages.
• Recovery time depends on the severity of this medical condition. As soon as your appetite returns, do not switch to normal food. Continue with the consumption of bland food items at least for a day, as your intestines will remain sensitive until you’ve made a full recovery.

When down with gastroenteritis:

Have more of citrus fruits, soup, boiled/steamed veggies, bland food items, Apple/Pears/Sweet lime juice, beans, and bananas

Avoid dairy products, Salty, Sugary, Spicy & Oily foods, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine

Rainy season is fraught with the danger of illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses. Temperature fluctuations, pollution and water contamination jointly contribute to the spread of water-borne diseases. What’s even worse is the fact that during this time of the year, intestinal functions as well as the digestive system becomes weak resulting in low metabolism and increased fat storage.

Underactive or Poor performing immune system can make the body susceptible to a host of gastrointestinal problems and monsoon related ailments. Under these circumstances, keeping your immunity levels high could be the only way to stay healthy & fit while enjoying the rains.

Did you know…?

Many organic herbs and natural ingredients sitting in our kitchen closets are in fact one of the finest immunity boosters.

For Ex- Turmeric powder, Neem and Fenugreek seeds are natural antibiotics which are known to enhance the metabolic rate, promote digestion and improve immunity.

Here are a few tips to boost your immunity during Monsoon.

• Keep yourself hydrated. As compared to summer season, people tend to feel less thirsty during monsoon therefore do not consume sufficient amount of water throughout the day which is bad for the body. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. Drink boiled or filtered water. You can also increase your fluid intake by having more of water-based fruits & veggies. They are not only nutritious but will also help in fulfilling the body’s daily water requirement
• Make smart food choices. Avoid junk food & aerated drinks. Add more of green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and fibre rich foods like oats, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds to your diet. Spicy & salty food causes water retention which in turn results in bloating. Prevent stomach ailments during monsoon by opting for home-cooked, light meals as compared to oily & heavy meals which are harder to digest. If you still want to treat yourself to some lip-smacking monsoon munchies, use corn or olive oil instead of heavy cooking oils like mustard or sesame oil for frying purposes.
• Quit bad habits like drinking (alcoholic beverages) & smoking (exposure to nicotine). Secondhand smoke is known to trigger asthma attacks and aggravate symptoms in people with allergies.
• Get sufficient sleep. Just like the battery of your mobile, the human body too requires recharging on a daily basis. Sleeping for at least 8 hours per day is the best way to revive the body in order to ensure that it functions properly the next day.
• Participate in some or the other form of physical exercise. Immune system certainly benefits from physical activity. Any kind of workout spikes the body temperature which like a fever, could help fight infections too. Some studies have also indicated that increased blood flow while exercising helps in pumping antibodies throughout the body.
• ) Maintain a high level of personal hygiene. Infection and bacteria multiply at an alarming rate especially during rainy season when the surroundings are already polluted, dirty and contaminated. Stay away from mosquito infested areas and avoid walking through puddles of water. Make it a habit to wash your hands frequently. Shower with warm water. Use an antiseptic soap & hand wash
• Do not stress yourself too much over work or family related issues. Every problem has a solution. All you need to do is stay calm & think positive. Studies have proved that chronic stress impacts every part of the body without sparing the immune system

Despite following these tips, if you have still somehow contracted an infection, do not postpone the treatment by practicing self-medication. Dengue fever, Jaundice, Typhoid, Malaria & Leptospirosis are some of the most common monsoon related ailments which can have serious outcomes if detected at a later stage. If high fever persists for more than 3 days, get yourself tested at the earliest

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Mosquitoes although tiny, can prove to be the most brutal killers during monsoon. Malaria is lethal and accounts for more than 500,000 deaths per year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately half of the entire human population in the world is presently facing the risk of contracting malaria. Scientists have also issued a warning about the negative impact that this disease could have on the reproductive health resulting in poor quality of semen in men and increased risk of miscarriages in women.

The statistics are terrifying and a lot has to be done on an individual & government level in order to eradicate or at least curb the spread of this life threatening disease.

This mosquito borne, infectious and communicable disease generally shows symptoms like high fever, shivering chills and headache. Immediate medical attention is mandatory, failing which serious medical complications may arise thereby posing a grave risk to the patient’s life.

These important preventive measures can help you keep Malaria at bay:

• Maintain a high level of hygiene in your home. Dirty and unhygienic environment serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. In the absence of mosquitoes there would be no vectors to spread the disease. Scientists believe that housing improvements in certain settings can help eradicate malaria considerably.
• Make sure that you are sufficiently hydrated at all times
• Boil water before drinking and stick to home-cooked meals as much as possible. Strictly avoid consumption of food from roadside vendors and if needed prefer eating from hygienic food joints. Parents in particular should ensure that their children keep away from tempting roadside eatables like Bhajiyas, Wada pav, Golas, Pani-puri etc.
• Prevent food contamination by using good quality containers for storage purpose. Place leftovers in the fridge as soon as they get back to room temperature and do not consume food that is more than a day old. Make sure that the kitchen area is properly cleaned after cooking as it can be easily transformed into a breeding ground for parasites, germs and bacteria. Use a disinfectant while mopping the floor.
• If you have fever, do not venture outside. You may not only end up aggravating your own medical condition but also be putting others around you at risk of contracting infectious diseases. Fever that persists for more than 3 days should be reported to a doctor at the earliest. It’s always recommended to conduct a blood test for common monsoon ailments like Malaria, typhoid, dengue, jaundice, leptospirosis, cholera etc.
• During monsoon, mosquitoes and flies multiply at an alarming rate. Always apply a strong insect repellant to keep them at bay. Affix mosquito screens, nets and fibre glass meshes on your doors or windows to prevent these parasites from entering your home.
• You can also take an anti-malarial drug only if your doctor recommends the same
• Try to stay away from insanitary and damp places. Avoid walking through dirty water. Polluted water that is accumulated in potholes harbors many bacteria and germs which can later give rise to serious health issues
• Opt for light-colored clothes as dark colored outfits tend to attract flies & mosquitoes which also increases the risk of being bitten
• Mosquitoes do not thrive in cold temperature settings. Try to stay away from hot & humid environment for prevention of Malaria infection.

With heavy rainfall reported in different parts of India, it seems like the rain gods are working overtime this year. Heavy rain showers are accompanied by a sudden drop in the temperature which brings with it a host of health issues like fever, sore throat, skin infections and conjunctivitis (pink eye) to name a few.

Conjunctivitis also referred to as ‘Pink eye’ is caused when the membranes surrounding the eye balls are infected by a virus or bacteria. In certain cases foreign bodies & dust particles can also be blamed for triggering this particular kind of eye infection. There are 4 different kinds of Conjunctivitis namely – Allergic Conjunctivitis, Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Viral Conjunctivitis and Chemical Conjunctivitis. Some forms of conjunctivitis are highly contagious yet easily treatable while others are harder to control and could lead to serious outcomes, if left untreated. Watch out for these symptoms:

• Redness in the white portion of the eye
• Watery eyes
• Thick yellow discharge from the infected eye
• Itchy or burning sensation in the infected eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision

If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical advice at the earliest instead of opting for self medication which could prove to be detrimental to the eye health.

Moisture-laden air serves as the perfect breeding ground for the conjunctivitis virus hence maximum cases of conjunctivitis are reported during the rainy season. Those who have a weak immune system pose a higher risk of contracting this eye disease. Like most monsoon related illnesses, conjunctivitis too can be treated in multiple ways but as the famous saying goes – ‘Prevention is better than cure’.

Being contagious in nature, people living closely with a Conjunctivitis patient should take necessary precautions to prevent this virus from spreading. Here are a few preventive tips for the same:

• Maintain a high level of hygiene at home especially if one or more members of the family are suffering from conjunctivitis. Wash your bed sheets, pillowcases & towels in hot water and detergent to prevent spreading the infection. Use a good quality disinfectant to keep your home clean & free from germs
• Do not share personal belongings
• Always wash your hands thoroughly between regular intervals and avoid touching your face & eyes too often.
• Consume more of immune boosting foods. Green leafy vegetables and orange colored fruits contain beta carotene which helps in improving the immune system thereby minimizing the chances of contracting this eye infection.
• Opt for disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs or towels to dab eyes. After use, do not throw these tissues on the floor or any area where they could be easily accessible to others.
• Avoid visiting crowded places. When outdoors, always cover up your eyes with sunglasses. Doing so will prevent the eyes from coming in contact with dust & foreign particles, which could trigger conjunctivitis at a later stage
• Avoid wearing & sharing eye make-up and/or contact lenses

Monsoon has always been considered as a blessing especially because it provides extreme relief from the sweltering summer heat but what’s disappointing is the fact that this season is also accompanied by various diseases and infections, most of which are water & food-borne. Unhygienic, polluted & dirty surroundings pave way for the growth of viral, bacterial & fungal infections that affects the skin, respiratory & digestive system. Food Safety is essential not just during monsoon but throughout the year. The best way to preserve health during monsoon is by consuming the right food items and staying away from the wrong ones. Take a look at some of the most important Food Safety Tips for Monsoon:

Consume fresh and properly cooked food. Always opt for home cooked food. Avoid eating at a restaurant. Fruits & Vegetable Salads can boost immunity levels hence it is best when consumed during this season but ensure that you have the ones that are freshly cut and hygienically served. Never buy eatables from roadside vendors as they can easily be infested with dust, dirt & contagious bacteria.

Make it a habit to wash your hands before indulging in food preparation. If you are unwell refrain from cooking food for others. You may end up serving them a plate full of viral infections with a germ-infested meal

Food poisoning from E- coli, salmonella or other contaminants are very common during monsoon. Cooked food should always be refrigerated as soon as it reaches the room temperature. Leftover food items have to be consumed at the earliest in order to prevent fungus growth. Get rid of food items that are moldy, discolored or decayed

Fried & fatty food items can appear to be very tempting in monsoon and could easily add to your weight, hence make sure that you are determined enough to resist these temptations by opting for healthy food stuff. Freshly brewed soups, lentils, corn, chickpeas and oats are some of the healthiest food items to be consumed during rainy season. Include more of protein rich foods in your diet.

Make sure that you place raw meat & eggs away from rest of the food items in your refrigerator. Sometimes the juices of raw meat drip causing cross contamination.  Always use good-quality, airtight containers to store food within or outside the refrigerator. Food items should not be exposed in an open environment for long as it attracts bugs.

Include more of pepper, garlic, ginger, jeera powder, coriander and turmeric in your daily recipes. These seasoning ingredients reduce indigestion and improve the immune system.

Drink plenty of water but make sure it comes from a trusted source. Boiled, filtered & packaged water should be preferred. Also ensure that your water filter at home/office is periodically cleaned.

Heavy rainfall brings with it a pleasant atmosphere which seems to be perfect for enjoying a hot beverage. Do not consume more than 2 cups of Tea or Coffee in a day. It may cause acidity problems.

Follow these guidelines to stay safe & healthy, this Monsoon