Monsoon is a season that most of us love, but it also brings unwarranted sickness. After about a month of rain in Mumbai, doctors spoke about at least a 50% increase in patients presenting with flu-like illnesses and respiratory ailments. Taking precautions to avoid diseases has become of utmost importance, leading to the question, “How do we protect ourselves in this season where the weather is the main culprit?”
A more straightforward way to protect ourselves from falling sick in monsoons is to understand how we get sick this season.
Let’s discuss factors which can lead to an ailment.
1) Will I fall sick by getting wet in the rain?
It’s a common misconception that getting wet in the rain can make you catch a cold. But it’s not the rain which makes us fall sick. One may fall sick by staying damp and cold for a prolonged time.
Our body temperature drops by staying wet, lowering our immunity. Lowered immunity increases the risk of catching a cold or flu. To avoid this:
- Do not get wet and stay wet for an extended period.
- Wear waterproof jackets/ caps to protect your body.
- Dry your hair and change into dry clothes immediately.
- Consume hot drinks like ginger tea, turmeric milk etc. They help increase body temperature and provide protection against respiratory ailments.
2) Increased humidity and dampness:
Increased humidity and dampness = increased virus, bacteria and fungi = Invitation to multiple ailments
Increased humidity and dampness can lead to;
- Skin allergies
- Allergies caused by environmental factors can lead to sneezing, runny nose, cold, cough, congestion, sinusitis, bronchitis etc.
- Viral infections and respiratory illnesses like throat pain, fever etc.
- Eye ailments like conjunctivitis, stye etc
Bacteria and viruses can enter our nasal tract in 2 ways. Through inhalation and direct touch. To stop them from entering our bodies,
- Wear a mask in crowded places, especially when indoors. Indoor areas are more contagious as most people prefer to stay indoors in the rain.
- Avoid meeting people who are already sick.
- Wash your hands frequently and try not to touch your face.
- Take a flu shot by consulting a doctor.
- Steam inhalation, jal neti helps clear bacteria in the nasal tract. A warm water gargle helps clear bacteria from the throat.
- Drinking warm water before bedtime helps to clear food particles from the throat, which reduces the risk of throat infection.
3) Water logging leads to:
- Increase in cases of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunya.
- Wading through flooded rainwater increases the risk of Leptospirosis, which can cause fever, jaundice, and multi-organ failure.
To avoid this,
- Control mosquito menace in your home. Camphor dhoop helps.
- Use mosquito repellence when out in the garden or open spaces. Neem, tea tree, and lemon eucalyptus oil are natural mosquito repellants.
- Never walk bare feet or wear slippers in rain-flooded water. Waterproof shoes are best if you walk regularly in rain-flooded water. Wash your feet and dry them well immediately after reaching home or office.
4) Contaminated food and water:
Digestive problems like indigestion and bloating have become quite apparent in this season. Additionally, gastrointestinal infections like typhoid, hepatitis, cholera etc., increase due to contaminated water and food.
Avoid eating;
- Street food, especially cold food like salad, cut fruits, chat, panipuri, sandwiches, and ice-laden roadside drinks like fruit juices or milkshakes.
- Outside food, especially food made from raw milk, seafood and leafy greens.
- Fried food, spicy food, soda etc., add undue pressure on our stomachs.
- Raw or lightly cooked sprouts. They are known to be a breeding ground for bacteria like salmonella and E.coli.
- Unpasteurized milk and dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt, buttermilk.
- Excess sugar and food made from refined flour.
Focus on consuming.
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Lean protein like chicken and fish. Eggs can be consumed in moderation.
- Warm fluids like soup, broth, dals etc.
- Herbal infusions like green tea, ginger tea, and peppermint tea.
- Add jeera, ajwain, and fennel seeds in water for easy digestion.
- A piece of dark chocolate for a sweet treat
- Filtered/boiled water. Hydrate yourself.
By taking precautions, it is possible to avoid ailments in monsoons as it’s like any other ailment. Once we understand how diseases happen, we also know how to prevent them simultaneously.
I hope this helps.