The thought of the onset of monsoon, stirs up a nostalgic feeling of experiencing the cool weathers again, accompanied by its picturesque greenery, a perfect antidote to the sultry summer. But as we know, “One man’s food is another man’s poison”. So we do understand, that there would be some, who detest the monsoons, especially because, of the monsoon related illnesses.
As we talk about monsoon illnesses, a flash of various disease conditions, comes to my mind. Some of the commonest being, Common cold, Typhoid, Cholera, Malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya and a few others.
The commencement of monsoons is a respite to many at large. Children reiterate, “Rain, rain, go away. Little baby wants to play” and yet others would say “Rain, rain, come every day .The more the rain, the more we can play. Some are affected by monsoons and some are not. Thus we are able to appreciate the individual traits, in each and every being .Some are affected by cold breeze ,some by getting wet in rain and some due to change in weather or temperatures etc. Thus one needs to understand that not everything affects everybody .We get affected based on certain individualistic traits that we possess. The science of the Homoeopathic system is also based on this same understanding of individuality of a patient and prescribing is based on this individuality. Remedies thus differ accordingly .Keeping this in mind, precautions to be taken, also differ from person to person.
A general line of precaution for those affected by colds of the monsoons, proper thermal wear and proper rainwear with proper protection of chest, ears, head, neck, hands and feet along with proper diet and warm foods should do you good .Foods that produce more heat in the body include, spinach, peanuts, brown rice, mangoes, coconuts, carrots, ginger, eggs etc. Eating healthy and keeping your immune system strong is the core of good health. For those who suffer from recurrent sore throat, a glass of milk with turmeric and salt water gargle should do the trick. Maintaining good hygiene goes hand in hand, thus keeping at bay, conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and tonsillitis.
Along with the fun of rains and the cozy atmosphere, comes increased amount of humidity, increased breeding of bacteria, viruses and insects and an increase in possibility of contamination of food and water, and resultant conditions such as Typhoid and Cholera.
Typhoid is a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly in the monsoons. Symptoms being prolonged fever, severe abdominal pain with diarrhoea or constipation and headache.
Cholera on the other hand has profuse watery diarrhoea, vomitting, leg cramps and fatigue due to loss of fluid from the body. Precautions can be taken by proper rehydration and proper washing of fruits and vegetables with clean water and avoiding unwashed foods. .
Secondly consumption of clean and hygienic food and water is mandatory. .The thought of the onset of monsoon, stirs up a nostalgic feeling of experiencing the cool weathers again, accompanied by its picturesque greenery, a perfect antidote to the sultry summer. But as we know, “One man’s food is another man’s poison”. So we do understand, that there would be some, who detest the monsoons, especially because, of the monsoon related illnesses.
As we talk about monsoon illnesses, a flash of various disease conditions, comes to my mind. Some of the commonest being, Common cold, Typhoid, Cholera, Malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya and a few others.
The commencement of monsoons is a respite to many at large. Children reiterate, “Rain, rain, go away. Little baby wants to play” and yet others would say “Rain, rain, come every day .The more the rain, the more we can play. Some are affected by monsoons and some are not. Thus we are able to appreciate the individual traits, in each and every being .Some are affected by cold breeze ,some by getting wet in rain and some due to change in weather or temperatures etc. Thus one needs to understand that not everything affects everybody .We get affected based on certain individualistic traits that we possess. The science of the Homoeopathic system is also based on this same understanding of individuality of a patient and prescribing is based on this individuality. Remedies thus differ accordingly .Keeping this in mind, precautions to be taken, also differ from person to person.
A general line of precaution for those affected by colds of the monsoons, proper thermal wear and proper rainwear with proper protection of chest, ears, head, neck, hands and feet along with proper diet and warm foods should do you good .Foods that produce more heat in the body include, spinach, peanuts, brown rice, mangoes, coconuts, carrots, ginger, eggs etc. Eating healthy and keeping your immune system strong is the core of good health. For those who suffer from recurrent sore throat, a glass of milk with turmeric and salt water gargle should do the trick. Maintaining good hygiene goes hand in hand, thus keeping at bay, conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and tonsillitis.
Along with the fun of rains and the cozy atmosphere, comes increased amount of humidity, increased breeding of bacteria, viruses and insects and an increase in possibility of contamination of food and water, and resultant conditions such as Typhoid and Cholera.
Typhoid is a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly in the monsoons. Symptoms being prolonged fever, severe abdominal pain with diarrhoea or constipation and headache.
Cholera on the other hand has profuse watery diarrhoea, vomitting, leg cramps and fatigue due to loss of fluid from the body. Precautions can be taken by proper rehydration and proper washing of fruits and vegetables with clean water and avoiding unwashed foods. .
Secondly consumption of clean and hygienic food and water is mandatory. .
In regards to Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya, these are vector borne diseases. That means the disease transmission takes place via a mosquito, the vector .Malaria is not spread by all the mosquitoes, but by the mosquitoes who are infected by the plasmodium parasite. There are about 5 different plasmodium parasites that cause Malaria. The two most common ones being Plasmodium Falciparum and Plasmodium Vivax both of which are spread by the bites of the infected Anopheles mosquito and pose threat to life. However it is preventable and curable, but needs to be detected early or could be life threatening. Initial symptoms include evening fevers with chills, headache, nausea etc. Symptoms may arise only after 7 to 10 days, post the incubation period. The Malaria incidence is higher in the monsoon, due to the various favorable conditions such as conducive temperatures, stagnant water, warmer households etc. Since the biting takes place mostly, from dusk to dawn, various precautions can be taken to prevent the same. Primary measures include, keeping doors and windows shut post 4.30pm, besides, mosquito nets for beds, for windows or electric rackets can be used. Mosquito repellents in the form of vapor or coils or creams can also be used with caution.
Secondary measures include long lasting insecticidal nets which can be used in open water bodies or sprays could be used in the areas as well as DDT which is usually done with the help of the government healthcare system .The government also has the National Vector Born Disease Control Programme in place to look into the same. Dengue on the other hand is a virus, acquired by the day-biting mosquitoes, the symptoms include fever, rash, severe headache and pain in the backbone, muscles and joints. Progression of disease may cause reduction in the platelet count, leading to internal and external bleeding and even shock, and chronic fatigue lasting for many months. Chikungunya on the other hand is also a viral infection, transmitted by mosquitoes, and has a similar presentation like that of Dengue, but the fevers are accompanied with acute and severe joint pains. So, we ought to keep the mosquitoes out of sight.
Apart from being vigilant in regards to the above mentioned monsoon illnesses, which may arise due to change in temperatures or due to contamination of food and water or due to vectors, let’s also take note of injuries, that arise due to human error or mishaps .Yes, the no of accidents increase drastically during monsoons due to, low visibility, slippery roads, rushing before the downpour, etc .Thus being alert and riding and driving safely with helmets and seat belts would succor.
So as we are at the brink of monsoons let’s keep in mind the various precautions for health and let’s pray for a happy and safe monsoon for all.

By -Dr. Trisha Torcato e Miranda
[MD (Homoeopathy), MS (Couns&Psy)], (Asst Prof), Homoeopathy College & Hospital,Shiroda
Clinic: Healthy mind-Healthy body,Aquem Margao.(9923417774)
Emaili: trishatorcato@gmail.com