Introduction

The main question is this – why do we tend to have digestive issues in the monsoon? The answer is pretty simple, and is actually a combination of factors like the warm temperatures and high humidity. Due to the high moisture content in the air, bacteria and fungal spores tend to survive for longer, and have higher chances of contaminating food and water.

Digestive System Diseases To Watch Out For

Typhoid

Did you know that India had the highest number of typhoid cases in the year 2021 in the world? Yep, about 12.9 million cases! Pretty sure you did not. The disease burden is only getting higher with every passing year. Typhoid is just one of the many tummy-related ailments that can strike us all this rainy season. As mentioned above, typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium *Salmonella typhi*. Symptoms include nausea, fatigue, severe abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Since it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are normally used to treat it. But, if the symptoms are very severe, then managing the condition may be more challenging than usual.

Jaundice

The liver can get affected with parasitic worms like *Ascaris*, and result in jaundice and related symptoms. Jaundice may be mild or severe, and the problem is this – symptoms don’t get resolved quickly. So, you may have jaundice for a few months or even years, and this can lead to further liver damage.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea or loose stools is a symptom that is characteristic of many kinds of infections or conditions. So, diagnosing the underlying condition (like infection due to *E. coli*, *Shigella*, *Salmonella* etc.) becomes more important than ever. Dehydration is a major hallmark, and hence resting and replenishing or increasing fluid intake is a sure-fire way to treat it. That, and also making sure to eat bland or comfortable foods like kanji, curd rice, etc., will all help you feel better soon.

Stomach Flu

Viral gastroenteritis can cause many symptoms like diarrhoea, fever, extreme emesis (aka projectile vomiting), and just general lethargy. You can get the rotavirus or norovirus from anywhere, so make sure to eat at home, and not touch unclean surfaces. Try to be a little more mindful of keeping your surroundings cleaner than usual, if you have someone at home with these symptoms.

Let us look at some practical tips to stay safe now

• Ensure that you drink only filtered or boiled water, whenever available.
• Eat homemade food – which also means no more take-out for a few days. Prepare fresh food with good quality items – if you see anything slimy or smelly, throw it away.
• Probiotics are your best friend now.
• No street food if the food is not piping hot or prepared fresh, in front of you.
• Make sure you have sanitiser handy.
• Having sanitiser at the ready does NOT mean that you forget to wash your hands. So, stick to the 20-second rule religiously.
• Use a mask or appropriate protective gear when dealing with sick individuals or if you are a caretaker. It also includes flushing the toilet with the lid on.
• Your gut health is closely associated with stress levels. High stress means a poorly functioning gut.

Conclusion

It is pretty simple – taking good care of your health must take precedence in the monsoon, as it is easy to fall ill. There are many bugs out there ready to wage war on us, so being prepared is the only way we can stay disease-free. So, good luck, and don’t forget to enjoy the rains with some good masala chai and pakoras in hand.

FAQs