Explained: Mumbai doctors on why gastroenteritis peaks during monsoon

Mumbairsquos monsoon season has arrived with full force and regular showers The season also brings with an increasing number of cases in diseases like dengue and malaria While they are both mosquitoborne diseases gastrointestinal disease is not far behind as it not only affects children but also adults according to expertsAs per the latest numbers from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporationrsquos Epidemiology Cell the cases of gastrointestinal disease have increased from 180 in June 2021 to 456 till June 26 this year The public health department has said Mumbaikars should take easy precautionary measures like avoiding street food consumption and sanitising or washing hands before food is consumedSeeing the increasing number of cases for gastroenteritis Midday Online spoke to Dr Dattatray Solanke consultant gastroenterologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Dr Roy Patankar director and gastroenterologist Zen Multispeciality Hospital to understand what causes the diseases They also explain why people should take the disease seriously especially due to its similarity to Coronavirus and how it can be avoided with easy preventive measuresWhat causes gastroenteritisDr Solanke says gastroenteritis is caused by various infections like bacterial infections viral infections of which viruses such as Noorovirus and Rotavirus are the most common culprits of gastroenteritis mainly in children He adds ldquoMany a times food poisoning can present as gastroenteritis When one doesnrsquot wash hands before eating or after visiting the toilet does not wash vegetables and fruits properly before consuming eating food from unhygienic places street food unclean water stale food can cause gastroenteritisrdquo This he explains is because the bacteria grows in such food or water and sometimes can release toxins in the food When consumed these bacteria viruses or toxins harm our gastrointestinal system and cause gastroenteritisNorovirus can also affect adults shares Dr Patankar adding ldquoChildren get infected by Rotavirus when they put their fingers in things contaminated with the virus in their mouthsrdquoWhat are the symptoms of gastroenteritisThe patients says Dr Solanke come with history of loose motions or diarrhea fever crampy abdominal pain recurrent episodes of vomiting and nausea This can cause dehydration and electrolyte disturbance in the body because of which patients can experience weakness dryness of mouth and skin feeling excessively thirsty cramps in the muscles giddiness In extreme cases the patients can get prostrated and urine output can decrease which can affect the kidneys alsoApart from the above Dr Patankar says the diarrhoea could also be watery and bloody diarrhoea When one experiences these different types of symptoms one should immediately consult the doctor he cautionsWhen do the number of gastroenteritis cases generally increase and peak Why do they peak during this timePatankar and Solanke say the cases of gastroenteritis generally peak during monsoon season Patankar explains ldquoThe humidity during monsoon can make ones digestive system sluggish Thus eating contaminated food with bacteria toxins and parasites will take a toll on your digestive system and this is how you can suffer gastroenteritis This condition will lead to the inflammation of the intestines Gastroenteritis is contagious and spreads through close contact with people who are infected hence hand hygiene is must to prevent its spreadrdquoIt is not only the food which is exposed to the parasites but also the water during this season ldquoThe water supply can get contaminated due to rains also the general public hygienic conditions are difficult to maintain during rainy season People tend to remain indoors in this season because of which the infection can spread from one person to other as it is a contagious diseaserdquo Dr Solanke adds Are you getting more patients currently suffering from gastroenteritis Which age group does it affect the mostDr Solanke says Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is getting more patients currently suffering from gastroenteritis ldquoCurrently a majority of adults and children are coming with complaints of abdominal pain and cramping watery diarrhoea and fever The number may go on increasing further It is essential for everyone to take utmost care of themselves during monsoon and boost their immunityrdquo Dr Patankar addsWhat are the general steps for prevention of gastroenteritisDr Solanke says the prevention of gastroenteritis is very simple ldquoMaintaining hygiene is extremely important Simple hand washing with soap before food and after toilet avoiding eating unhygienic street food stale food drinking clean boiled or purified water avoidance of food thought to be contaminated are easy ways to prevent itrdquo This is important because he says there are few vaccines available to prevent gastroenteritis like vaccine against Rotavirus cholera etc ldquoIt is important to keep yourself hydrated drink plenty of fluids ORS solution is easily available at very low cost It prevents dehydration and electrolytes imbalances If the symptoms are severe or associated with fever please consult a doctorrdquo he adds ldquoKeep your gut healthy by adding natural probiotics and avoid the junk processed and canned food that can disrupt the digestion processrdquo Dr Patankar says ldquoTry to keep the surroundings clean and avoid eating undercooked food donrsquot share your personal belongings with othersrdquoWhat are the risks for a person suffering from gastroenteritis during the ongoing Covid19 pandemicThere are quite a few similarities shares Dr Solanke and that is why one should be careful He explains ldquoCovid19 infection can have protean manifestations It can affect almost every system in the body Diarrhea is very common in Covid19 infection Even Covid infection can be present only with diarrhoea or gastroenteritis without respiratory symptoms as the concentration of bacteria is more in the gastrointestinal tract than in the lungsrdquo Patients can experience fever cough extreme weakness body ache etc It is important to be aware of this fact that a gastroenteritis illness can be Covid infection Covid infection can lead to reduced immunity which predisposes to bacterial and viral infections leading to gastroenteritis In his experience Dr Solanke says there is increased use of kadhas and other alternative medications to prevent Covid infection ldquoThese things can irritate the stomach lining and cause gastritis Steroids and other medications for Covid can cause gastritisrdquo he notesProton pump inhibitors PPIs are a risk factor for rotavirus influenza virus norovirus and coronavirus infections that are linked to gastroenteritis ldquoSome patients with gastrointestinal GI disease may have greater chances of suffering from more severe illness due to Covid19 infection as their immunity will already be lowrdquo Dr Patankar addsDo the symptoms of gastroenteritis and Covid19 overlap Please suggest ways to detect gastroenteritis and tell it apart from Covid19Dr Solanke says apart from the similarity in symptoms the patients usually experience more weakness muscle pain and cramps in Covidrelated diarrheaAs far as telling them apart Dr Patankar says ldquoSome of the signs such as nausea vomiting watery diarrhoea and abdominal pain are only seen when one has gastroenteritis There are a lot of overlapping symptoms but one with Covid19 tends to have more upper respiratory symptoms cough and loss of taste or smell Also these symptoms will improve within three daysrdquo He also highlights that getting a Covid test done is the easiest way to know if one has been affected A rapid stool test can detect rotavirus or norovirus to check for gastroenteritisWhy should people be concerned about suffering from gastroenteritis What are the misconceptions about gastroenteritisGastroenteritis is simple to prevent and treat says Dr Solanke but sometimes can lead to complications ldquoIt can cause damage to kidneys electrolyte imbalances weakness and blood loss can occur in cases of infective diarrhea or dysentery Hence it is important to timely consult a doctorrdquo he adds Hypotension and electrolyte disturbance hypernatraemia hyponatraemia hypokalaemia is a major concern among people suffering from loose motions Dr Patankar explains ldquoThis becomes more complicated in people with diabetes hypertension and underlying heart or lung illness These people should take more preventive measure before diarrhoeadeteriorates and seek medical help earliest In otherwise healthy individuals also it may take longer to recover if not treated in time and people may suffer irritable bowel syndrome or lactulose intolerancerdquo he highlightsSolanke and Patankar have shared the following myths and busted them tooMyth People have a general misconception that eating or drinking during gastroenteritis increases the diarrhoea It is also believed that certain food items like bananas and watermelon are said to increase diarrhea which is incorrectFact Food and water restrictions are not required during gastroenteritis episodes and patients should take normal meals Milk and dairy products except curd should be avoided during acute episodesNote People tend to selfmedicate themselves with medications that prevent intestinal movement but such medicines should be avoided as it can lead to complicationsMyth Carbonated drinks can be good for rehydration due to gastroenteritisFact Do not have sodas or any carbonated drinks if you have gastroenteritis The added chemicals in them will increase the episodes of diarrhoea by taking a toll on your digestive system Try to drink as much water as you can or even have ORSAlso Read Get your skin monsoon ready with these expert tips