MUMBAI RAINS-------OUR HEALTH Dr. Karishma Mane. Rainy season is here a welcome relief from the summer heat of April –May. The rains are a special feature of Mumbai, which we all love. They have a character of their own due to their unpredictability, wild breezes and wonderful atmosphere. It is a time for a hot cup of tea, bhuttas, monsoon picnics and colorful umbrellas. This is the time people who live outside Mumbai envy us for the most. However, there is another side to this pleasure. The rains cause flooding, water logging traffic delays and increased humidity. Due to choked drains, uncollected garbage lying scattered on the roads, badly constructed roads that allow water puddles to form we are deprived of the pleasure of the monsoon. We need to wade through these dirty waters everyday on our way to work. We end up standing for long hours waiting for our public transport and end up getting wet in the mean time. Also the accumulated water breeds flies and mosquitoes, which infect us directly or indirectly. Our poor civic amenities and infrastructure are the real cause for our sufferings and we end up blaming the rains!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our HEALTH suffers due to all the above circumstances. Every year we see an increase in diseases in Mumbai during the rains. Common complains that affect people in this weather------- § Fevers ranging from the common viral, influenzas to malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, typhoid etc. § Respiratory affections from colds, upper respiratory infections, acute attacks of asthma, pneumonias etc. § Skin affections like fungal infections § Joint affections like arthritis § Gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning. These are the common systems that suffer the brunt of our daily encounter with the rains. Preventive care measures can be grouped under three categories------------------ Ø Personal care measures Ø Environmental care measures Ø Food care measures Personal care measures--------------- v Washing our hands and legs thoroughly especially if we have walked through dirty water. Helps avoiding skin infections. v Avoid wading through stagnant water whenever possible. v If possible a warm shower after coming back home from work is helpful both as a preventive and also warmth reduces the stiffness in the joints that arises due to getting drenched on our way to work and remaining in wet clothes throughout the day. v If possible a spare pair of clothes, footwear should be kept at the work place. Avoid remaining in wet clothing for long. v Washing our hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating food or after using the washroom. v If the head gets wet it should be dried fast as this reduces chances of catching a cold. Environmental care measures----------------- v Prevent accumulation of rainwater in and around the house and work places. v Clean water reservoirs regularly as stagnant water is a breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes. v Use mosquito repellants and sleep under mosquito nets. The above three prevent breeding of mosquitoes, which are carriers for malaria etc. v Water accumulated in the plants in and around the house, air-conditioners should be cleaned everyday. Swimming pools and ponds in the society compound should also be regularly cleaned v Notification of cases of malaria, dengue in the society to the local BMC authorities so that they can undertake fogging and other preventive measures in the area. Food care measures----------- v Drinking water should be boiled for at least 20 minutes and stored in closed containers. Take care especially while traveling about the quality of water. Helps avoid water-borne diseases. v Preferably, consume fresh, hot and well- cooked homemade food. Undercooked or stale food, serve as an environment for bacterial growth. v Vegetables, salads and fruits should be cleaned thoroughly before eating them. v Always consume boiled, pasteurized milk only. v While eating out certain precautions need to be taken. The level of hygiene and quality should be checked before eating in a restaurant. v While eating out order dishes that are served WELL COOKED, HOT like idlis, soups, dals, steamed products, grilled sandwiches etc. v Avoid eating chutneys, sauces that are stored at restaurants for long hours at room temperature and are prepared many hours in advance. They are ideal ground for micro- organism growth. v Avoid eating raw salads, cut fruits outside, as you are never sure if it has been washed and may be lying uncovered for long. v Milk products and mithais need to be stored at particular temperatures Avoid buying them from open display cases. |
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