Incidence of gastro high in Ramazan . Rawalpindi The public sector hospitals in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been receiving greater number of patients with gastro since the advent of Ramazan as compared to routine which, according to health experts, is because of careless attitude of people towards their diet. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences has provided treatment to over 600 patients suffering from gastro within the first week of Ramazan, said Medical Specialist at PIMS Dr. Muhammad Haroon while talking to ‘The News’ on Friday. He said that the Federal Government Polyclinic received over 350 patients with gastro while the CDA Hospital received nearly 250 patients in the said period. “Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi received over 500 patients with gastroenteritis, Benazir Bhutto Hospital received over 450 patients while District Headquarters Hospital received as many as 470 patients with gastro within the first week of Ramazan,” said Dr. Haroon. Gastroenteritis is water and food borne bacterial infections whose main symptoms generally include vomiting, fever, severe diarrhoea with dehydration and lowering of blood pressure. It is important that every year, the rise in humidity and the setting for monsoon in this region of the country cause a sharp increase in number of patients with diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, gastro, typhoid and hepatitis A&E in result of which the public sector hospitals have to bear an extra burden of patients with these monsoon related health hazards. “Of course, the monsoon brings with it a number of health threats for public but most of these can be avoided by adopting a few simple preventive measures at individual level,” said Dr. Haroon while responding to a query. He said that in reported cases during Ramazan, the number one cause of gastro is food poisoning while the main factor among fasting patients is dehydration that can cause life-threatening complications. “Individuals should be aware of the fact that they must avoid loss of fluids and electrolytes particularly when having complaints of diarrhoea and vomiting,” said Dr. Haroon and added that immediately after developing symptoms of gastro, a patient should break open the fast to avoid complications. He suggested that such patients should take plenty of fluids and ORS for at least three days. “To avoid water and food borne infections, individuals should avoid eating unhygienic food at vendors during Ramazan and should use boiled water for drinking.” To a query, he said that fasting with gastro may cause ulcers in large intestine. “Individuals particularly those who recover from gastro should take at least three to five litres of water from ‘Iftar’ to ‘Sehr’ while fasting,” said Dr. Haroon.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 08:24:38 +0000
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