Keep The Monsoon woes at bay

The much-awaited monsoon--a symbol of happiness and bond—is finally here. But, apart from relief from the oppressive heat, monsoon also brings with it a myriad of fevers, skin problems, and infections that can pose a serious health threat. Doctors say, staying healthy and fever-free during monsoon can be as simple as possible by taking a few basic and essential precautionary measures. The PIONEER HEALTH reports.

VIRAL FEVER

The susceptibility of individuals to acquiring viral and bacterial infections increases especially during rains owing to high moisture content and prolonged survival of these microorganisms. Most monsoon-related fevers are attributed to four major routes - contaminated water, food, air, and mosquito-borne.

Amongst mosquito-borne most common and important fevers are dengue fever, chikungunya, and malaria which have symptoms ranging from fever, chills body aches to complex multisystem involvement. Timely screening and prompt judicious treatment are quintessential for combating further complications.

Use mosquito nets in your house; Don’t allow water to stagnate or collect anywhere in and around the house

Food and water-borne - these are a spectrum of illnesses and fever caused by the consumption of contaminated food and water.  Children are the easiest victims because of a developing immune system that is prone to contracting diseases.

Typhoid, caused by bacteria, is a water-borne disease that spreads because of poor sanitation. Eating uncovered or spoilt food and drinking contaminated water are the two major causes of typhoid. Symptoms include fever, headache, joint pain, and sore throat.

Cholera, also caused due to poor sanitation and consumption of contaminated food, is accompanied by diarrhea or loose motions.

Hepatitis A - viral infection causing prolonged fever and fatigue also caused by consumption of contaminated water

A simple handy tips to keep the disease away -

• Cover food items / Personal and hand hygiene / Boil water before consumption
• Vigilance and suspicion in  Fevers of more than two or three days with stomach upset and abdominal pain will support in early management and fast outcome.
• Airborne diseases - monsoon is a season of viruses in the air owing to appropriate environmental conditions.
• The elderly and kids both are more susceptible to a plethora of viral Infections.
• In entering the post-COVID era, it should be dictum that any illness involving fever, cold, sore throat, and cough to be considered either COVID or non-COVID. It also mandates appropriate quarantine while waiting for reports and then isolation if needed.
• Influenza and flu viruses also have similar clinical courses and outcomes. Elderly people require special attention in terms of monitoring fever and oxygen while having a flu-like illness
• Precautions especially in airborne infections are a must! Mask, hand hygiene, and cough etiquettes are and should be considered mantras and part of our new normal life======== Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, Senior Infectious Diseases Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram.

COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS

Owing to excessive rainfall, increased humidity, sweating, and water stagnation, we are at risk of various skin infections and other diseases.

Below are some of the common skin problems in monsoons:

ACNE

• Excessive oil secretion from the skin can lead to pimples. Hence, use natural oil-free soaps/face wash.
• Drink lots of water and avoid drinking too much tea, coffee, and alcohol to prevent breakouts on the skin. Use dermatologists-approved soaps, skin creams, and powders and keep the health of your skin in check.

ECZEMA

• This causes a rash, itching, and redness on the skin. In many cases, it also causes irritation. *People with sensitive skin have a higher chance of having this infection.

Maintain proper hygiene by taking a bath regularly and keeping your skin well moisturized.

TINEA FUNGAL INFECTIONS

• These include itchy and highly communicable skin issues like ringworms (skin infection in body folds like armpits, thighs, etc.); tinea capitis (itchy and flaky scalp), and onychomycosis (fungal infection in the nails causing them to become brittle and fragile). Closed shoes and rainwater can be a breeding ground for infection leading to athlete’s foot.
• Pay attention to personal hygiene at all times by bathing daily and washing your feet and hands once you reach home. Also, wear light and cotton fabric that is properly washed.

FOLLICULITIS

• A fungal or bacterial infection of the hair follicle. The contact between sweat and fungus or bacteria results in skin problems which can cause folliculitis. It generally occurs in the upper back, arms, thighs, and scalp area and can be really painful and infected with pus.
• It can be controlled by preventing excessive sweating, taking regular baths, and keeping the skin hydrated at times.

SCABIES

• A monsoon skin infection caused by tiny microscopic mites. These mites hover on the skin for months and are highly contagious. They burrow in the skin to lay eggs which causes immense uncontrollable itching which causes redness.
• Scabies needs proper treatment because if left untreated, it can cause redness and can potentially spread to others.

NAIL INFECTIONS

• This infection causes nail discoloration, brittleness, and swollen nail beds.
• Dry and wipe your body properly after a bath and avoid being barefoot in public places.=============Dr. Sakshi Srivastava, Senior Consultant, Department of Dermatology, Jaypee Hospital

GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES

Poor sanitation and water logging during this season lead to diseases that are tropical.  So you have mosquito-borne diseases--India bears a considerable burden of mosquito-borne diseases, contributing 11% to global malaria and 34% to global dengue cases.

People with a weak immune system, such as senior citizens, immunocompromised persons, and children, are more prone to severe illness. Water-borne diseases like Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and E, food poisoning, and other gastrointestinal infections, if ignored can be fatal. Because of poor sanitation and overflowing of sewage, water logging, and blocked drains, hygiene gets compromised. People are more prone to gastrointestinal infections like acute gastrointestinal infections, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis, caused due to the consumption of stale, uncovered, or contaminated food and water. It is advised to boil water before drinking and keep all foods covered before consumption to avoid stomach infections. Other diseases are infective glytoisis, liver abscess, and food poisonings plaguing the monsoon weather.

Hot and humid weather promotes more bacteria to grow. Leptospirosis is another bacterial disease that spreads due to contact with contaminated water or muck during the monsoons. If an individual has suffered an injury, they must ensure to keep it covered before stepping out of the home.===============DR. CS Grewal, Gastro, Liver, &Endoscopy Super specialist, SAS Grewal, Multi-speciality Hospital, Ludhiana

CONJUNCTIVITIS

This is a type of infection that causes swelling of the eyes. Due to this, the eyes become red, swollen, and sticky. Eye infection can happen during the rainy season and the eyes tend to become red. One will also have a watery discharge. Coming in contact with a person suffering from this eye condition can also cause infection in another person. In case of any kind of infection, the doctor should be consulted immediately

Precaution: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, don’t share your personal belongings, do not rub your eyes with dirty hands, and use hand sanitizer.

Treatment: Pink eye therapy is determined by the underlying cause. In some circumstances, symptoms will go away on their own in some days. Under such circumstances, an underlying infection may require therapy with oral medications. Wearing contact lenses should also be avoided unless your ophthalmologist tells you to do so. Don't put your contact lenses on until the conjunctivitis is gone.------Dr. Tribhuvan Gulati , an expert on Diabetes, Thyroid, Metabolic Disorders Apollo Spectra Hospital, Delhi

YOGA CURE

A few yoga poses can help you strengthen your immunity system which is tested during monsoon. Respiratory illnesses and aggravation of pulmonary medical conditions can also be controlled by including Yoga in your daily routine. Highly effective Yoga poses can help you stay fit and healthy during Monsoon.

Five basic principles of Yoga during Monsoon

1.            Shodhana: neti and kapalabhati

2.            Seasonal diet,  avoid capha-generating foods. Boiled water 

3.            Clothing and comfort. Cotton clothes help to breathe better

4.            Yoga practices

Suryanamaskar

Selected sukshma Vayama's to improve lungs capacity

Tadasana/ Trikonasana/ Parshwakonasana/  Ushtrasana/ Uttana andookasana/  Gomukhasana/ Vakrasana/ Shalabhasana/ Makarasan/ Pawanamuktasana / Vipareetakarani/ Matsyasana/ Shavasana/ Nadishuddhi pranayama/ Suryabedhana pranayama/ Bhastrika pranayama /Dhyana the Meditation

Be with nature, follow the principles of monsoon rutucharya, dinacharya and raatricharya, It's  a period of growth. Make the best use of it. -----------------Dr. ishwar V Basavaraddi Morarji Desai, Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Union Ayush Ministry

AYURVEDA REMEDIES

Ayurveda describes aggravation (vitiation) of Vata and accumulation of Pita in Varsha ritu (Rainy/monsoon season). This is the major cause of various diseases occurring during the rainy season. The food and lifestyle should thus be such they help in balancing Vata and Pitta

Dietz: Water available in the reservoirs during monsoon is comparatively heavy to digest and the metabolism is sluggish during this period. An individual is likely to experience loss of appetite. Hence following changes in diet and lifestyle are advisable during monsoon:

• Consume  light and fresh foods prepared from barley, rice, and wheat
• Include cow’s ghee, lentils, green gram, rice, and wheat in your daily diet.
• Consume small pieces of ginger with rock salt before every meal.
• Use sour and salted soups of vegetables. Onion and other vegetables.
• During cooler days due to heavy rains, sour, salty, and oily diets are preferred.
• Drinking boiled and cooled water mixed with little honey is recommended.
• The addition of ginger and green gram to the daily diet is beneficial.
• Eating warm food and avoiding uncooked foods and salads is better.
• Drinking excess fluids to prevent further slowing down of metabolism is advisable.
• Avoid consuming stale food.
• Consumption of leafy vegetables needs to be avoided during monsoon.
• Avoidance of curds, red meat, and any foodstuff, which takes a longer time to digest is good during the monsoon. One may have buttermilk instead of curds.
• Consumption of  ‘Haritaki /Harad (Terminalia chebula) with rock salt in the monsoon season is beneficial to health.

lifestyle: Consumption of a healthy diet only may not provide desired results unless it is supported by a lifestyle beneficial for monsoon. Following are the tips for the important changes in the lifestyle of the rainy /monsoon season.

• Avoiding sleep in the daytime is good as it hampers digestion and slows down the metabolism.
• Over-exertion and over-exposure to the sun, especially in the afternoon, are required to be avoided.
• Keep the surroundings dry and clean and do not allow water to get accumulated around.
• Keep body warm, to protect against any attack from viruses as and when body temperature goes down.
• Avoid entering an air-conditioned room with wet hair and damp clothes.
• Avoid walking in dirty/dampened water.
• Feet are required to be kept dry.

NOTE: As per Ayurveda abrupt changes of diet and lifestyle suitable for a particular season need to be avoided. The changes must be gradual over a period of 15 days by giving up the earlier lifestyle and adopting a new one for acclimatization. If abrupt changes are brought, the body may not be able to cope with them and this could lead to problems.=====Source: National Health Portal