Stomach Problems During Summer - How Homeopathy Can Assist?

A hot summer’s day may just be the perfect excuse to turn the air conditioning at full blast and gorge on junk food like a plate of Golgapas and samosas, followed by a bottle of chilled soft drink.

Hold that thought! The number of people seeking treatment for various gastrointestinal (GI) infections, i.e stomach infection, rise by approximately 40% during the peak summer. One of the major reasons attributed to GI infections is excessive consumption of junk and contaminated food. Add dehydration (which is another common problem in summers) to your GI problems can result in a disorder that has the ability to cause severe discomfort.

What is a GI infection?
A GI infection occurs when microbes such as virus or bacteria cause an infection in the gut. Consequently, the stomach lining and the intestines become inflamed.

Once the inflammation sets in, you will experience symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and mild to strong abdominal cramps. It is sometimes also referred to as food poisoning.

GI infections can be caused both by viruses and bacteria. The type of microbe responsible depends on – weather, socioeconomic factors, sanitation facilities, and personal hygiene. 

The link between summers and GI infections -
The digestive system becomes relatively weaker and slower during the hotter months. As a result, the entire digestive tract becomes easily vulnerable to various viruses and bacteria. Some of the common problems that are prevalent during summers are dehydration, loss of appetite and food poisoning.

The GI infections that are common during summers are –

1. Salmonella bacteria – This bacteria is mostly found in eggs and chicken. The symptoms include cramps, diarrhea, headache and fever.
2. Shigella bacteria – Common in areas where sanitation is very basic, this bacteria is found in water that has been exposed to human faeces. Like the Salmonella bacteria, this is also a foodborne GI infection. The symptoms include mucus and blood in bowels, stomach pain, fever and vomiting.
3. Adenovirus – This virus is one of the major causes of diarrhea in children. The symptoms include rashes, fever, bladder problems and respiratory problems.
4. Staphylococcus aureus – It is caused by consuming contaminated foods like meat, poultry, dairy products and bakery products. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and severe nausea. The symptoms generally last for 1-3 days.
5. E. Coli – E. Coli, the abbreviation of Escherichia Coli, is the foremost cause of travelers’ diarrhea. It has been attributed to the consumption of water that has been contaminated by animal or human faeces.

Tips to avoid GI infections -
Here are some tips to avoid them –

1. Wash your hands before you eat and when you come from outside
2. Ensure that you have access to purified drinking water. If you are travelling, stick to bottled water
3. Keep your kitchen clean
4. Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before cooking/ consuming them
5. Carry Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to prevent dehydration
6. Eat light and cool foods. Avoid spicy and excessively pungent foods

How can Homeopathy help?
Homeopathy, an alternative form of medicine, is very effective when it comes to not only chronic conditions but also acute conditions like GI infections. Once the symptoms are noted after a thorough diagnosis, treatments are prescribed accordingly.

Medicines like Arsenic Album, Nux Vomica and Merc Sol are recommended to alleviate symptoms like nausea, fever, stomach cramps and diarrhea – common to all GI infections. Unlike other medicines, homeopathic medicines do not cause any side effects. You will also be given certain dietary guidelines to supplement the medications.

But, it is recommended that these medicines are taken in consultation with your Homoeopathic Physician only.