Preventing Liver and Digestive Issue During the Rainy Season

A Guide for People with Liver and Digestive issue

Although the monsoon provides necessary respite from the summer heat, it is also a time when waterborne infections  in particular jaundice, typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis  usually occur. These diseases are all spread quickly through contaminated food and/or water, which is particularly prevalent in the rainy season.

When someone is already suffering from liver or digestive health difficulties, these seasons are extremely vulnerable. If the liver is fighting infection, it is currently weakened and has no reserve if contaminated food/water is ingested, even in small amounts. This article will explore some available tips to keep liver patients healthy and safe through the rainy season.

Why the Monsoon Poses a Risk to Liver and Digestive Health

• Contaminated Water and Food

 Heavy rains can precipitate flooding and mixing of sewage with drinking water sources. If the drinking water is untreated or unfiltered, it may contain viruses, such as Hepatitis A and E, which can directly affect the liver.

• Reduced Immunity

 Humid weather and poorly sanitized conditions may potentially lead to reduced immunity. Liver patients, particularly those with fatty liver, hepatitis, or cirrhosis, can develop a fever, nausea, or jaundice with small or any infection.

• Unhygienic Street Foods

Street food may be cooked in unhygienic conditions with exposure to moisture, flies, and bacteria during the monsoon. Food from unhygienic conditions can lead to waterborne pathogens and disturb digestion and liver function.

• Irregular Eating Patterns

Rainy weather can facilitate irregular meal habits and loss of appetite.In the case liver patients, fasting or eating too many spicy and fried foods can work the digestive system and exacerbate recovery.

Common Waterborne Infections in the Liver Mode

• Hepatitis A & E: Tansmitted through contaminated food or water, these infections affect the entire body and directly attack the liver.
• Typhoid: In addition to other symptoms, typhoid can cause abdominal cramping, fever, and digestive upset.
• Cholera: Severe diarrhea and vomiting in addition to insufficient hydration can lead to electrolyte imbalance.
• Gastroenteritis: gastroenteritis is common after eating contaminated food or milk products.

In a person with chronic liver disease, symptoms of these infections can last longer, bilirubin levels can increase, and hospital admission may be required.

Dietary guidance during the Monsoon that support liver and digestive health

Drink boiled or filtered water. 

 Never drink tap or unfiltered water during the monsoon season. If at home, use an RO (reverse osmosis) water filter or boil water for at least 10 minutes before drinking. If walking outside or if any one else is making drinks for you, make sure you have your own water bottle filled with boiled or filtered water. In this case, don't risk your water source. 

Eat fresh food homemade.

 Avoid raw salads, cut fruits, or uncooked sprouts bought outside of the home. Ensure homemade food is cooking properly and consumed soon after cooking to limit bacterial growth. 

Do not eat foods that are oily / spicy.

 Oily and spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining and cause liver function to decrease. Stick with light foods, steamed vegetables, khichdi, soups, and porridge.

Include healthy liver foods.

 Foods to include are turmeric, garlic, lemon water, and green leafy vegetables. All are known to support liver detoxification and immune support. 

Do NOT drink alcohol at all.

Consumption of alcohol during the monsoon season adds unnecessary stress to the liver and increase your susceptibility to infection and. inflammation. 

Probiotic Support

A good way to support healthy gut bacteria and digestion at this humid time is to eat curd or drink probiotic drinks. 

Patient Hygiene and Living Practices for Clients with Liver Disease

Wash Hands Often

One of the best and simplest ways to prevent the vast majority of infections is to make a habit of washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you eat or touch your face. 

Avoid Street Food and Ice

Juice from open juice stalls, or food made from food sold at open stalls will likely contain contaminated water. Instead, be sure to make all juices and drinks at homeusing purified water.

Use Separate Utensils and Towels

 If someone in the house is sick (with vomiting and/or diarrhea), do not share dishware, glasses, or towels with that person. Many waterborne infections can easily be spread just by using the same plate or towel. 

Be Compliant with Liver Safe Medications

If you were prescribed liver safe medications, be sure to take them (everyone else should be compliant with the normal medications). Be sure to take your medications even when you travel and don't skip any doses - when the weather changes. 

Stay Hydrated

Even if it is not hot outside, you can be dehydrated, so drink enough clean water, coconut water, or oral rehydration solutions. You can talk to your doctor about what to drink, but drinking enough water is of utmost importance. 

Get Vaccinated

Vaccines against Hep A and B are available and can help you with very good coverage. Ask your gastroenterologist if you need them. 

Do not ignore any of the following warning symptoms that you may experience or witness. If you are having, or any friend or family member are having any of the following symptoms during the rainy season - you all with sick - get to see your doctor/group right away. 

The following are warning signs.

• Yellowing eyes or skin (jaundice)
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Pain or heaviness in the right side of your abdomen
• Feeling exhausted or loss of appetite
• Very dark urine or pale stools
• Very high ranging fever or diarrhea

These could indicate any infection or liver inflammation and need urgent investigation/ evaluation. 

• Building Immunity the Natural Way
• To give your body an edge against infections:
• Sleep a minimum of 7 - 8 hours nightly. 
• Exercise moderately walking, yoga, or similar low intensity.
• Decrease your stress with breathing exercises, meditation.

Start, or continue or verify your intake of nutritious fruits, such as papaya, apple, and citrus fruits (just do not overdo your fructose intake with too many sweet fruit).

Start keeping track of your liver function tests (LFT's) regularly with the monsoon.

The rainy season is refreshing; however, you need a little more vigilance, especially for liver and digestive disease populations. Keep your hygiene, eat your clean food, avoid outside water, extra double keeping in mind the following health tips for liver disease patients for a healthy rainy season!

At GEM Hospital we have a skilled team of liver specialists and gastroenterologists to care for you and provide education about diet concerns and preventative health programs.

If you, a friend or family member wish to be seen because of any of the warning symptoms or simply wish to be more careful about liver health this rainy season, be sure to book an appointment with our expert team today!