Learn how to prevent liver and digestive issues during the rainy season with simple diet tips, hygiene practices, and immunity-boosting habits to stay healthy and infection-free.
Managing Jaundice During the Rainy Season: Tips for Prevention and Care
The monsoon season not only brings cool weather, lush green grass, and relief from the heat, it also brings an increase in water-borne and viral infections. Jaundice is one of the most common and serious illnesses likely to occur in the rainy season.
Jaundice can increase during the monsoon season especially in terms of hygiene, diet, and the immune response. With timely management, support from your doctor, and focused preventive practice, you can protect your liver and remain healthy while viral infections abound.
Understanding Jaundice.
Jaundice is not a disease; it is a symptom of liver dysfunction or elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment created when old red blood cells break down. Under normal circumstances, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood stream though bile. If there is inflammation of the liver, or if the liver is infected or unable to perform its task properly, bilirubin accumulates in the blood stream leading to yellowing of the eyes and skin.
The most common causes for jaundice include:
- Viral infection(s) such as Hepatitis A, B, or E
- Contaminated food or water (common during rainy season)
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Certain medications that may cause damage to the liver
- Obstruction of the gall bladder or bile duct
During the rainy season, the spread of viruses such as Hepatitis A or E increases rapidly due to unsanitary conditions and contaminated water.
Why jaundice is more common in the rainy season.
- Contamination of the water supply
Heavy rains will often contaminate the water supply with sewage. Viruses and bacteria will mix with drinking water. Sometimes, just one glass of contaminated food is enough to transmit Hepatitis A or E.Street Food ConsumptionDuring monsoons, fried and spicy snacks are often sought after from roadside stalls. The food is unfit for consumption, as hygiene is too low and dampening conditions offer an environment for infection to flourish.
- Weak Immunity
Because of changing weather conditions and humidity, the overall immunity of the body compromises which makes it easier for viruses to affect the liver.
- Neglected Hygiene Habits
People often neglect to practice simple suggestions relating to hygiene, such as washing hands, and washing fruit, which can be a reason for developing a significant infection in the monsoon season.
Symptoms of Concern
If one is diagnosed with jaundice during the rainy season, they should pay attention to the following red flags:
- Yellow of the eyes and skin,
- Dark yellow or brownish urine,
- Pale or clay-colored stool,
- Fatigue, weakness, or dizziness,
- Loss of appetite and nausea,
- Mild fever or abdominal pain,
These symptoms can often arise within the first week of the initial infection and should never be ignored. Seeking proper medical attention will lead to a quicker recovery without developing complications like acute hepatitis or liver failure.
Dietary Considerations when Dealing with Jaundice
- Diet and nutrition play a major role in recovery and protection. Proper nutrition would be:
- Only boiled and filtered water is best for symptomatic hydration of 2.5 liters of water a day.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables which are washed well and prepared at home.
- Light meals that are easy on the body and stomach such as khichdi, vegetable soup, and steamed rice.
Hygienic prepared coconut water and sugarcane juice can help detoxify the liver.Nutrient-dense foods, especially those rich in antioxidants, such as beetroot, spinach, and papaya, encourage healing and recovery of the liver.
Avoid:
- Fried foods, oily foods, or anything spicy.
- Uncooked outside food, unpasteurized milk, and street juices.
- Alcohol or carbonated beverages.
- Excess salt and refined sugar.
- Consuming a bland, nutrient-dense diet can help avoid overworking your liver while the body heals.
- Hygiene and Lifestyle for Prevention
- Drink Safe Water
- Always drink boiled, filtered, or packaged water. Avoid roadside drinks and ice cubes made from unsafe water.
Avoid Outside Food
Utilize home-cooked food, especially in the monsoon season. Even just one food item could put you at risk for infection.
Wash Your Hands
Wash before cooking or eating with soap. Hand hygiene remains the simplest, yet most effective, preventive measure we can use.
Always Build Your Immunity
Eat food rich in vitamins, exercise moderately, and sleep enough. A strong immune system allows your body to fight infections before you incur damage to your liver.
Avoid Over the Counter Medicines
Certain prescribed painkillers, Covid medicines, or antibiotics can impair liver function. Only take prescribed medicines after speaking with your doctor.
Take Vaccines
Vaccines against hepatitis A/B provide long-term protection. Especially for children, health care workers/students, and people traveling outside the country.
If you have a diagnosis of jaundice, follow these medical instructions:
1. Get blood tests done, as your doctor requested, for LFT, bilirubin levels, and viral markers.
2. Take complete bed rest in the acute stage.
3. Follow your MD's prescribed dietary plan and instruct them of any contraindications (seen as either a non-advised food consumption or aspects that cause you discomfort).
4. Avoid strenuous activity/physical exercise until complete recovery.
5. Get follow up appointments for further lab tests to check liver panel and updates on liver repair.
6.Self-medicate or rely on solely medicines; jaundice can get worse without professional guidance.
Recovery Tips for the Monsoon Season:
- Keep your space clean, dry, and sanitary.
- Disinfect water filters and storage containers regularly.
- Avoid cooking, swimming, or bathing in stagnant water bodies.
- When washing your clothes/linens/drying them, be sure to dry them all the way to avoid fungus or unwanted bacteria growth.
- Emotional wellbeing matters! Stress too can weaken digestion and impact your immunity.
Liver health is overall not only about restoring the liver function but taking care of your self consistently and religiously.
The monsoons are refreshing, but test your immune system and hygiene practices. Understanding the spread of jaundice and engaging safety practices based on the changing seasons; can keep your liver healthy. Clean water, safe food hygiene; timely vaccinations; plenty of rest, are ways you can keep your liver healthy.
If you have any symptoms, questions, or your child is sick please take them to the emergency room or reach out to the liver specialists at GEM Hospital.
We provide advanced diagnostic care; we’ll tailor your treatment, and if needed, we’ll simplify your diet plan for a complete recovery.
Be safe this monsoon season, make an appointment with GEM Hospital today for liver health.
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