Monsoon is the season for rejuvenation after the harshest summer in India. While the monsoon has its advantages, it has its disadvantages. Floods, waterlogging and incessant rainfall can lead to the spread of infectious illnesses. In this article, we will look at some of the most common diseases in India during the rainy season.
Dengue is a viral disease caused by the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is a widespread occurrence in India during the rainy season. In 2021, the country reported around 1.64 lakh cases alone. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito commonly roams around at dusk and dawn, so one should keep their doors and windows shut during this time. You should also be careful not to leave stagnant water for too long as the mosquitoes breed in buckets, flower vases, water coolers and uncovered barrels.
You will likely develop symptoms post an infection within 5-6 days. It can present as –
Classical Dengue Fever: This is also referred to the ‘break bone fever’ and the associated symptoms are
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever: This is a life-threatening condition accompanied by severe symptoms such as:
Similar to dengue, Chikungunya is also caused by the bite of either an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito and Aedes Albopictus Mosquito. The mosquito will breed in stagnant water, you should check and clear away water daily. Symptoms will include:
Malaria is caused by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito under similar conditions Chikungunya and Dengue.
When bit by the concerned mosquito, you will show signs such as:
Malaria can sometimes be fatal when caused by Plasmodium falciparum; it can lead to health complications such as low blood sugar count, organ failure, breathing issues, anaemia and cerebral malaria. Similarly, other mentioned fevers can be dangerous if not diagnosed and treated on time. Diagnose your condition, the doctor will ask questions about your recent travel history, medical record and age and list down a few blood tests you will need to undertake immediately. Once confirmed, he/she will suggest prescription drugs treat your illness.
Typhoid is a severe condition caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria through contaminated food and water. The incubation period of the bacteria is about 7-14 days, during which time you will show signs of:
Cholera is a severe version of diarrhoea caused due to intestinal infection with vibrio cholerae bacteria. People fall prey to this condition when they consume contaminated food and water. Some may recover with mild symptoms, while others can develop symptoms that can prove life-threatening. Some common signs are:
During monsoon, you can, on average, expect to experience a few issues with your gut or digestive health. This is because the humid weather and an influx of bacterial and viral activity in your surroundings might mess up your stomach, make your digestion sluggish and sometimes even lead to infection. You might experience conditions which may become more pronounced during this time, such as:
The ideal way to stay healthy and safe is to eat home-cooked meals and avoid junk food. Stick to a well-balanced diet low in spices and fats, exercise regularly and not consume water from outside unless it is packaged and treated.
If you have developed a stomach infection and a fever that persists for more than 3 days, you should consult a doctor and book necessary lab tests as advised by your doctor. A stomach infection should never be ignored, as it could be a telling sign of something more serious lurking beneath.
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Aside from vector-borne diseases and gastrointestinal issues, some common diseases during the rainy season are
Fluctuations in temperature, getting drenched during a downpour and sudden changes in weather from humid to cold can make one vulnerable to cold and flu conditions. Some preventive measures for common cold and flu include consuming home-cooked or hygienic, nutritious meals. Always stay warm and dry. Even if you get wet on the way to work, school or college, immediately dry yourself with a hand towel. Ensure to keep spare clothes in your bag if possible. Other measures you can follow are maintaining distance from someone sick or infected and following good hygiene daily.
Due to high pollution levels, wetness and humidity, the exposed parts of the body such as the back, the hands, face and feet can become sensitive to exposure to allergens. Some skin conditions you might face are:
The best way to prevent skin allergies is to keep your skin dry. Use mild body cleansers, take frequent baths, wear minimal make-up (your skin should be able to breathe) and wear fresh and dry clothes. Seek medical attention from a dermatologist as soon as the allergies appear.
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Monsoon is a beautiful time to spend time with your loved ones over a hot cup of chai and some piping hot home-cooked pakoras while you enjoy the pitter-patter of raindrops outside. Stay aware and healthy and enjoy the beauty of rain the best. Eat well, maintain personal hygiene at all times and take immediate action if at any time you are feeling under the weather. Most infections present with symptoms like fever, headache and weakness, but one must not try to self-medicate in these conditions. Always consult a doctor, get necessary lab tests and follow the treatment prescribed.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Monsoon, without a doubt, brings a lot of joy to the people suffering from the scorching heat of the summer but for a few people, who either are very serious about exercising or need to do some physical activity to stay healthy, do not find it very convenient.
The pleasant rainy weather not only prompts us to binge on ‘pakoras’ and ‘tea’ but also makes us too lazy to head to the gym. As going for a jog has also gone out of the window, keeping oneself physically active becomes a tricky business.
Well, it is not as tough as you think if you know the right options to exercise and burn enough calories without stepping out a single time throughout the day.
Below, we have suggested some of the ideas you can consider at your convenience to stay active during this rainy season. Have a look:
Jogging is one of the most meaningful and efficient exercises one can do. Well, it is not mandatory to step outside if you want to jog. As per the fitness experts, spot jogging is a perfect pre-workout exercise, as it warms up the body to carry out the rest of the regime without posing any threat to your muscles.
You just have to lift your knees and move them back to the ground. You should also move your hands in the same manner you do while running outside. It looks like you are running but at the same spot.
If you do this exercise for 30 minutes, you will burn about 215 calories.
Jumping Jacks includes hopping your feet out shoulder-width apart while you bring your arms above your head, then hopping your feet back together while you lower your arms to your sides. It is a full-body workout that targets the upper, lower, and core muscles.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Skipping is an ideal cardio exercise that you can consider for improving cardio-respiratory fitness, flexibility and coordination. As per the experts, skipping is one of the most effective high-impact exercises that helps the performer strengthen their bones. Moreover, it also helps in reducing weight from your thighs, hips and sides.
To do this exercise, you need a rope, rotate it in a circular motion and jump when it touches the ground. The smaller the jump the better it is for your knees and ankles. Jumping about an inch from the ground is considered ideal.
If you do this exercise for an hour, you will burn about 560 calories.
Strength training is also possible in the comfort of your home. You just have to purchase some dumbbells. The weight of the dumbbells should be the same or marginally higher than what you have already been lifting at the gym. You can also consider filling up some water bottles and doing strength training with them.
Every hour of such strength training done correctly may help you lose about 200 calories.
Start with what you can do whether it’s walking, riding a bike, or aerobic exercises, Don’t think you have to run a marathon or be an elite athlete, start it and just keep going no matter what.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
To do this exercise, you need to get into a pushup position, bend your arms and move down towards the floor. Now, you have to hold the same position with extended arms. Initially, you just have to hold the position for about 30 seconds. This exercise may seem very easy to pull, but is a challenging one and helps in toning your core muscles like abs, stabiliser muscles and back.
Doing it for an hour helps you lose about 350 calories.
As we all know, yoga is a spiritual form of exercising that helps you connect your body, spirit and mind. Apart from giving you a better understanding of your body, it improves your flexibility and provides peace of mind.
What makes it more convincing is that you can do it regularly without having to leave your home. As per the experts, trying out meditation, pranayama and Surya Namaskar are some of the best forms of yoga to keep yourself fit and healthy.
Monsoon may come with a few drawbacks for the fitness junkies but as we have mentioned above, there are plenty of ways you can keep yourself in the best shape and health even during this period with some home exercises. If you are a diabetes patient, it is advised to consult with your doctor before you make any alterations in your regime of physical activity.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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