Behind Seasonal Diarrhea During Rainy Months

After spending time in the heat of the summer, the rainy season certainly feels like a treat. Cool and windy weather now replaces the usually hot and humid afternoons. But while rainy days can be a fun way to enjoy the cold and refreshing weather, we still have to look out for some illnesses that are prone during this season. One of which that we have to be watchful for is diarrhea.

Why is diarrhea more prone during the rainy season?

According to a study last 2020 on environmental health, extreme rain causes a risk for diarrhea, especially following a dry season. This is due to the appearance of pathogens, or microorganisms that can cause diseases in the environment.

Rainfall is an important factor in driving the cases of diarrhea, especially in areas that have dry climates. Diarrhea is often concentrated at the beginning and at the times when a flood happens, which are the periods that allow pathogens to accumulate and grow.

How to know if you have diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a result of having bowel movements that are loose and watery. It occurs when a virus gets into our stomach due to certain reasons like an allergic reaction to food, medication, bacterial infection, diabetes, and other more. Normally, this only lasts for a few days. But if it went on for more than a week, it could indicate other medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome that your physician should check.

With that, you might want to be extra vigilant and be on a lookout for the symptoms of diarrhea, including:

• Bloating
• Cramps or Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Watery stools
• Feeling of urgent bowel movement

Serious symptoms may include hints of blood or mucus in your stool and also fever.

Diarrhea may also occur due to dehydration with the symptoms of:

• Dark urine
• Frequent headaches
• Dry skin
• Less amount of urine than usual

Can diarrhea make you lose weight?

Our body goes through water loss when we experience diarrhea. The initial weight we lose when we are sick is the water weight we carry. So you will probably notice certain physical changes when dealing with this bowel movement condition.

How to prevent diarrhea?

Diarrhea is contagious and infectious, which is unlikely to be avoided even if we want to. However, there are still practices that you can do to protect yourself from it.

The best way to keep you and your family safe is by avoiding contact with infectious agents. Preventive measures may include frequently washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces of your home, and maintaining good hygiene.

Make sure that you are also consuming clean food and drinks. When eating or preparing your meals, ensure that you wash and cook them thoroughly. Avoid having raw or uncooked meat or seafood, and as well as drinking tap water. In addition, make yourself aware of drinks and food that you are sensitive or allergic to, as this can possibly trigger your digestive system.

Home remedies and first aid for diarrhea

While bowel issues can be uncomfortable, it is something that can be treated with enough rest and some home remedies. Listed below are some first aid measures you can take. If symptoms persist longer than expected, you should see your doctor to properly get it checked.

1. Drink lots of fluids

Hydration is one of the top things you should do to recover faster from diarrhea. Our body goes through fluid deficit when we have diarrhea, which results in losing electrolytes like sodium and chloride. If not prevented, this could lead to dehydration, which can be harmful to children and adults alike.

The easiest way to rehydrate is by drinking a lot of water. Another home remedy that you can do is making an oral rehydration solution which is a mixture of a liter of water, half a teaspoon of salt, and six teaspoons of sugar. Consuming salt and sugar will help your intestines absorb more fluid.

For infants who are experiencing diarrhea, continue breastfeeding or give them formula instead. Drinking sports drinks can also help you rehydrate and restore potassium and sodium in your body.

2. Follow the BRAT diet

The BRAT or “Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast” diet is a diet regimen that doctors recommend to those with upset stomachs. This consists of eating small but frequent meals instead of consuming three large meals we have on a normal basis.

Other foods that you can take are oatmeal, skinless baked chicken, soup, and boiled or baked skinless potatoes. You might want to also avoid consuming food with dairy as it may be difficult for the stomach to absorb lactose. An exception is yogurt, which carries “good bacteria” that can help alleviate gut issues.

3. Take in Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that can help restore the health of your digestive system. These good bacteria work to fight the harmful microorganisms causing diarrhea so you can enjoy smooth bowel movement once again. You can naturally get probiotics from certain fermented food like kimchi and yogurt, probiotic supplements are also a fine alternative. Here’s something we recommend from MyPharma.

As the rainy days come in, it is just right to enjoy the coziness of the cool weather. This season is the perfect time to wear those sweaters and relax outdoors while enjoying the cold breeze. But as we find ways to have fun, we should still be on the lookout for health risks associated with rainfall. We must ensure that together with our loved ones, we are always protected and healthy. If you start experiencing diarrhea, make sure to follow the tips we’ve shared to be on the way to recovery as quickly as possible. — (MyPharma)