Common Diseases in Monsoon & Prevention Tips

India typically experiences an annual monsoon season between July to September. Along with the freshness, the rain brings diseases in monsoon-like Malaria, Cholera, Dengue, Chikungunya, and other fatal diseases or infections that can pose a serious range of health threats for everyone!

The risk of being exposed to multiple bacterias, viruses, and infections is two times higher during the monsoon season compared to any other season. The high moisture content present in the air enables harmful microorganisms to flourish, resulting in the transmission of monsoon diseases.   

Ayurveda and Seasons 

The Ayurveda divides the year into six seasons: Shishira, Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, and Hemant. Seasons’ division is based on the sun's movement into the northern and southern academic positions. It is called Adana Kaal (Uttarayana) and Visharga Kaal (Dakshinayana), consisting of six months on each side. During Adana Kaal, the physical strength of human beings reduces, and during Visarga Kaal, the physical energy of human beings enhances.

In Adana Kala, the sun and wind are powerful. During this period, the sun takes away the cooling qualities of the earth. Due to the sun's scorching heat, the strength of the creatures diminishes. In contrast, in Visharga Kala, the sun releases strength to the people by empowering the moon, and the earth becomes cool due to the clouds, rains, and cool winds.

Hence, the Varsha Ritu, or starting of the monsoon is the indicator for the beginning of Visharga Kala and restoration of lost strength during Adan Kala (Shishir, Vasanta, and Grishma Ritus). 

Types of diseases in monsoon  

Ayurveda describes aggravation (vitiation) of Vata (Air) and accumulation of Pitta (Fire) dosha in Varsha Ritu (rainy/monsoon season). This is the major cause of various diseases occurring during the rainy season. The food and lifestyle should thus be such, which helps in balancing Vata and Pitta doshas.

The most common diseases in monsoons are transmitted through these 4 major mediums: Water, Mosquitoes, Air, and Contaminated food.

A-WATER-BORNE DISEASES 

● Typhoid is caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, a water-borne disease that spreads because of poor sanitation. The primary causes of Typhoid are eating uncovered food and drinking contaminated water. Symptoms include a headache, fever, sore throat, and joint pain.

● Cholera is also caused due to consumption of contaminated food and poor sanitation and is followed by loose motion or diarrhea.

● Gastrointestinal infections like vomiting, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis are caused due to the consumption of uncovered, stale, or contaminated food and water. It is advisable to keep all foods covered before consumption and boil/filter water before drinking to avoid stomach infections.

B-MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASE 

● Malaria, one of the major health concerns in India, is caused by the biting of the female Anopheles mosquito. which is one of the major health concerns in India during monsoons. It is the breeding season for mosquitoes. They breed in water channels and streams. For several days, all malaria patients suffer from chills with high fever (up to 104 °C).

● Dengue causing mosquito Aedes Aegypti breeds in stagnant water (such as drums, buckets, flower pots, old tires, wells, and tree holes). Its symptoms include fever with chills and rigour, body ache, and fatigue.

● Chikungunya is caused by the Aedes Albopictus mosquito and is a non-fatal viral disease. These mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, and they can bite you during the night and the day. Chikungunya means ‘which bends up’ and is called so because of its distinct arthritic symptoms (stiffness and pain in the bones and joints ).  

C-AIRBORNE DISEASES 

●  Flu and Cold, the most common viral infections, are caused due to the sudden change in temperatures during the monsoon times. A weak immune system makes us more prone to these minor infections and is associated with a sore throat, running nose, watery eyes, chills, and fever.

● Influenza is one of the most common diseases in monsoon times, and it spreads easily from one person to another and is essentially transmitted through the air and droplets.

Prevention from monsoon diseases

Here are some preventive measures which include diet, and lifestyle changes that help to prevent monsoon diseases:

Dietary Changes 

Water available in the reservoirs during monsoon is comparatively heavy to digest, and the metabolism is sluggish during this period. An individual is likely to experience a loss of appetite. 

Hence following changes in diet and lifestyle is advisable during monsoon:

1. Consume light and fresh foods prepared from Barley, Rice, and Wheat.
2. Include Cow's Ghee, Lentils, Green Gram, Rice, and Wheat in the daily diet.
3. Consume small pieces of Ginger with Rock Salt before every meal.
4. Have sour and salty soups of vegetables like onion, tomato, etc.
5. During cooler days due to heavy rains, consume sour, salty, and less oily diets.
6. Drink boiled and then cooled water mixed with little honey or use a good water filtration system
7. Eating warm food and avoiding uncooked foods and salads is better.
8. Drinking excess fluids to prevent further slowing down of metabolism is advisable.
9. Avoid consumption of stale food.
10. Avoid Curd, Red Meat, and any foodstuff, which takes longer to digest, is good during the monsoon.
11. Consume ‘Haritaki /Harad (Terminalia chebula)’ with rock salt.

Lifestyle Changes 

Consumption of a healthy diet only may not provide desired results unless it is supported by a lifestyle beneficial for monsoon. 

Following are the tips for the important changes that we can make to our lifestyles during the rainy /monsoon season:

1. Avoiding sleep during the daytime is good as it hampers digestion and slows down the metabolism.
2. Overexertion and overexposure to the sun, especially in the afternoon, should be avoided.
3. Keep the surroundings dry and clean, and do not allow water to get accumulated around.
4. Keep your body warm to protect against any attack from viruses as and when body temperature goes down.
5. Avoid entering an air-conditioned room with wet hair and damp clothes.
6. Avoid walking in dirty/dampened water.
7. Keep your feet dried.
8. Avoid getting wet in the rain. However, if it happens, changing into dry clothes as soon as possible is essential to avoid exposure from infections, as immunity is naturally low during monsoon
9. Use of Fumigative disinfectants like Loban and dry neem leaves for drying cloths and killing insects/bacteria is recommended.
10. The use of Perfumes is advocated in this season.

Home Remedies

1. Applying a paste of hing (Asafoetida) or boiling hing water in and around the navel is known to relieve stomach pain and infection.

2. Intake of Golden milk (Haldi milk), concoctions, and warm foods strengthen the body's immunity. One may also try Yogasanas like Shalabasana, and pranayama like kapalbhati to improve respiratory health.  

3. Take 1 glass of Papaya or Giloy juice daily as they increase platelet count and improve immunity, especially if infected by Dengue, which can result in a drop in the platelet count  

4. Hulba/Methi (Fenugreek leaves) can be taken as a herbal tea to reduce fever. This drink acts as a soothing and cleansing agent for the human system.

Medicines for Monsoon diseases

Unani Medicines

Khamira Marwareed

It helps to increase immunity and is an effective medicine for Typhoid.  

Dose - 1 tablespoon twice a day with water or lukewarm milk

Syrup Jigreen

It helps to promote digestion, increase appetite and cure all types of digestion-related issues.  

Dose - 3 tablespoons twice a day.

Ayurvedic Treatment 

Triphala Powder

As the humidity in the atmosphere is high during monsoons, the body's digestive capability goes down. During such times, the consumption of Triphala helps bring the digestive processes back to normal.

Dose - 1 tablespoon at bedtime with warm water.

Amrutadi Guggul

For situational, seasonal, and immune system support, it provides nourishing, plant-based ingredients to reinforce the body's own ability to find balance and wellness. It helps to cure all types of monsoon diseases

Dose - 1 tablet once a day

Infographic

Please find below the infographic on “Common Diseases in Monsoon & Prevention Tips”. Feel free to use this infographic but make sure to cite us at www.healthybazar.com.

Conclusion 

Seasonal changes and infectious disease occurrence are likely to be influenced by population vulnerability and behaviors. However, environmental influences are also imperative considerations. The monsoon season impacts the profusion of pathogens, especially in people with a risk of infection. People should be made aware of the importance of appropriate accommodation ventilation, cleanness, etc. In this regard, alternate therapeutic protocols have been followed to improve the quality of life by following potential treatment options in Unani and Ayurveda medicines.