Month: July 2023

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Monsoon and The Rise of Illness

The monsoons provide much-needed reprieve from the oppressive summer heat. Furthermore, they are a boon to agriculture since they raise the water levels in reservoirs. Despite the many benefits of the monsoon, it also brings a variety of illnesses. It is home to a slew of infections and health problems, ranging from an increase in cough, cold, and flu due to extreme temperature swings to viral fever and mosquito-borne diseases, among other things. Doctors at RajaRajeshwari Medical College and Hospital have compiled a list of the most frequent monsoon-related disorders and what you can do to avoid or lessen your chances of being ill this season.

Monsoon-Related Diseases And Prevention Tips

Many seasonal illnesses go undetected until they have a major impact on a person’s health. However, by exercising early detection and some easy preventive and hygiene practices, you may stay safe during India’s severe disease season. This is a list of monsoon diseases to be careful of during this muddy, rainy season:

Mosquito-borne diseases

MalariaDengueChikungunya
Malaria, which is caused by a single-celled parasite called Plasmodium, is one of India’s primary health issues during the monsoon season. It is the breeding season for mosquitos (Anopheles minimus), which serve as hosts for this malaria-causing virus. This mosquito breeds in water channels and streams and causes a severe fever (up to 105 degrees Celsius) for several days.    Dengue-causing Mosquitoes of the genus Aedes aegypti breed in stagnant water (such as buckets, drums, flower pots, wells, and tree holes). These organisms have adapted to changing landscapes and growing urbanisation, and are now found in urban dwellings as well. Dengue fever takes four to seven days to develop after being bitten, and the initial symptoms are fever and exhaustion.    Chikungunya is a non-fatal viral disease produced by the Aedes albopictus mosquito. These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and can attack you both at nightfall and during the day. Chikungunya, which means “bending up,” is named after its unique arthritic symptoms (pain in the joints and bones, stiffness).    

Prevention Tips

  • Use insect repellent creams, lotions
  • Keep polluted water from accumulating.
  • Use mosquito nets that have been treated with pesticide.

Water-borne Diseases

Gastro-intestinal infectionsCholeraTyphoidJaundice
The ingestion of stale, uncovered, or polluted food and drink causes gastrointestinal diseases such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and gastroenteritis. To avoid stomach infections, it is best to boil water before drinking it and keep all meals covered before eating them.    Cholera, which is also caused by inadequate sanitation and eating infected food, is accompanied by diarrhoea or loose movements.    Typhoid is a water-borne disease caused by the S. Typhi bacteria that spreads due to inadequate sanitation. The two most common causes of typhoid infection are consuming spoiled or unprotected food and drinking contaminated water. Fever, headache, joint pain, and a sore throat are among the symptoms.    Jaundice, a water-borne disease, is spread through contamination of food and water, as well as poor sanitation. It causes liver malfunction, as well as symptoms such as weakness and exhaustion, yellow urine, eye yellowing, and diarrhoea.    

Prevention

  • Keep up with your personal hygiene.
  • After coughing or sneezing, before and after using the toilet, and before and after handling food, wash your hands at regular intervals.
  • Avoid eating from street vendors.
  • Consume only pure, filtered, and boiling water.

Air-borne Diseases

Cold and fluInfluenza
The most frequent viral infection, the common viral flu, is caused by shifts in temperature during the time of the monsoon. A weakened immune system makes us more susceptible to mild infections, which are accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, fever, and chills.  Influenza, also known as the seasonal “flu,” is easily transmitted from person to person and is primarily conveyed through the air.        

Prevention

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with disinfectant soap, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
  • Avoid eating in public places.
  • When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth.

Conclusion

Monsoon disorders can be brought on by a lack of sunlight and humid weather. Monsoon infections are conveyed through the air, water, or mosquito bites making it a note that we must take preventative measures. Monsoon disease prevention advice is straightforward and simple to use! Prevention is always preferable to cure. So, remain safe and have fun throughout the monsoon season. Pregnant women, small children, and babies are particularly prone to infectious infections and must be especially cautious. If you or a family member notices any symptoms of monsoon disease, contact your doctor immediately .

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The Dark Cloud Of Diabetes Over India

I am sure you have heard India is becoming the diabetes capital of the world. We have all seen this prevailing news over some point of time. But why and how are we achieving that status? The number of diabetic cases in India is expected to reach 69.9 million by 2025, according to a collaborative survey done by the ICMR and NCDIR. Now for the most intriguing portion of the survey: did you realise that the vast majority of them are still undiagnosed? Let us thoroughly investigate the core cause of our country’s impending disaster.

Rise of diabetes in India

India is the world’s diabetes capital, and diabetes, also known as sugar, is referred to as ‘the sugar sickness’ in most households. Diabetes is predominantly a lifestyle disease that has expanded dramatically across all age categories in India, with prevalence exceeding 10% among the younger population.

The situation in cities is worse than in rural areas, where the disease prevalence is nearly twice across all socioeconomic categories. The present growth in diabetes, particularly among the younger population, is a major source of concern for public health.

The recent exponential rise of diabetes in India can be traced primarily to lifestyle changes. Rapid changes in food choices, physical inactivity, and increased body weight, particularly belly fat buildup, are some of the key causes of increased prevalence.

Breakdown The Type of Sugar Disease

The majority of diabetes types lack a known cause. In every circumstance, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This results from the pancreas’s limited ability to produce insulin. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can result from a combination of inherited and environmental factors. What exactly these factors are remains unknown.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes) is defined by insufficient insulin production which requires daily an injection to regulate insulin development. In a survey of 2017 it was reported that approximately 9 million individuals suffer from type 1 diabetes with the majority of them living in developed countries. 

Type 2 diabetes

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes influences how a patient’s body uses glucose generated for energy. It prevents the body from adequately utilising insulin, which can result in excessive blood sugar levels if not managed.

Type 2 diabetes can cause major harm to the body, particularly the nerves and blood vessels, over time. Being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and heredity are all risk factors for having type 2 diabetes.

Early detection is critical for avoiding the severe complications of type 2 diabetes. Regular check-ups and blood tests with a healthcare provider are the best method to diagnose diabetes early.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can be minor. It may take several years for them to be discovered.  The symptoms are often less severe than those of type 1 diabetes. As a result, the disease may be discovered years later, when complications have developed.

Gestational diabetes

Hyperglycemia during pregnancy occurs when blood glucose levels are above normal but below those that are indicative of diabetes.

Causes Of Diabetes

To understand diabetes and its causes, it is extremely essential to break down how the body functions and uses glucose.

How insulin works

Insulin is a hormone produced by a gland located below and beneath the stomach (the pancreas).

  • Insulin is released into the bloodstream via the pancreas.
  • Insulin circulates, allowing sugar to enter cells.
  • Insulin regulates the blood sugar level.
  • As blood sugar levels fall, so does insulin release from the pancreas.

The functioning of glucose

Glucose provides energy to each individual cell in our body including our muscles and other tissues.

  • Glucose is obtained mostly from two sources: food and the liver.
  • Sugar enters the bloodstream and flows in the cells with the help of insulin.
  • The liver both stores and produces glucose.

When your glucose levels are low, such as when you haven’t eaten in a while, your liver converts stored glycogen into glucose. This maintains your glucose level within a normal range.

How To Delay Getting Type 2 Diabetes?

If you are at risk of getting diabetes, you may be able to avoid or postpone its onset. The majority of what you must do is adopt a healthy lifestyle. You will gain additional health benefits if you make these changes. You may minimise your risk of getting other illnesses, as well as feel better and have more energy. The changes are as follows.

Losing weight and keeping it off. Diabetes prevention begins with weight management. By decreasing 5 to 10% of your present weight, you may be able to avoid or delay diabetes. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should aim to shed 10 to 20 pounds. And once you’ve lost the weight, it’s critical that you don’t regain it.

Following a healthy eating plan. It is critical to limit the number of calories you consume each day in order to lose weight and keep it off. To do this, your diet should include fewer amounts as well as less fat and sugar. You should also consume a variety of foods from each food group, such as vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. Limiting red meat and avoiding processed foods are also good ideas.

Get regular exercise. Exercise provides numerous health benefits, including weight loss and blood sugar control. Both of these reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. 5 days a week, try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity. If you haven’t been active, consult with your doctor to determine which types of exercise are best for you.  

Don’t smoke. Tobacco usage can increase the resistance of insulin, which inturn can lead you on the path of type 2 diabetes. If you are a smoker, try to put an effort to stop.

Consult your doctor to see if there is anything else you can do to delay or avoid type 2 diabetes. If you are at high risk, your doctor may advise you to take one of several types of diabetic medications. We hope the information we shared with you will help you to understand the problem better and help you prevent/ delay the disease. If you want more information on such topics visit our website at RajaRajeshwari Medical College and Hospital today.