As the weather continues to fluctuate with cool mornings, scorching afternoons which are followed by cooler evenings, doctors across the city say their clinics are flooded with patients with summer related ailments.
With a vast difference in temperatures cases of gastrointestinal infections, upper respiratory tract infections and bronchial asthma are on rise.
Doctors attribute this pattern to the erratic temperatures and unhygienic eating habits.
“Patients complain of severe diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. High temperatures and less intake of water lead to dehydration. This has been found as the common complication with people suffering from diarrhoea. This year we have also observed a steep rise in the number of people suffering from gastroenteritis,” said Dr Subodh Kedia, Physician from Bandra.
Doctors say the vast difference in day and night temperatures is an apt factor for the viruses to flourish in. “Viruses become more active when the season changes. As summer has begun, viral infections are on a rise. Most common are cases of upper respiratory infections with people having complaints of cough, cold, throat infections and tonsillitis,” said Dr Pratit Samdhani, Physician at Jaslok Hospital.
The habit of consuming street food is another reason why many Mumbaikars are suffering from gastroenteritis and tonsil problems. Samdhani said, many problems like asthmatic bronchitis, tonsillitis get aggravated due to sudden temperature variations. “It is observed that patients have a habit of coming in from scorching heat and consuming cold liquid which leads to sudden changes in body thermostat. Immediately the reaction sets in and a person gets throat problems, cold and blocked nose, persistent cough etc.,” said Samdhani.
Doctors advise eating out less often, washing vegetables and fruits before eating, drinking safe water and not gulping cold drinks or ice creams to beat the heat.
“Most of the gastroenteritis cases are because of bacterial infection. While taking a patient’s case history, it is found that eating food from outside is a contributing factor. Gastrointestinal infections happen due to unsafe water or food. In this season, food gets spoiled easily and that’s why eating out should be avoided. People should make sure drinking water is safe and avoid ice-golas. People should not eat ice cream or drink cold beverages to beat the hot sun and all fruits and vegetables should be washed,” said Dr Anil Ballani, physician, Lilavati Hospital.