Stomach pain is common during the monsoon season because of...
Stomach pain is common during the monsoon season because of the increased risk of food and water contamination. The high humidity and stagnant water create an environment for bacteria and other pathogens to thrive, which can contaminate food and water. This can lead to infections that cause stomach pain, such as gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and parasitic infections:
Gastroenteritis
This inflammation of the stomach and intestines is usually caused by viruses like norovirus and rotavirus, or bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever.
Food poisoning
This can be caused by eating adulterated or stale food, and symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, inflammation, bloating, and diarrhea.
Parasitic infections
These include giardiasis and amoebiasis, which can cause chronic diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.
Here are some tips to prevent stomach pain during the monsoon season:
Buy meat and fish from hygienic stalls and refrigerate them after bringing them home. Avoid raw meat like sushi.
When eating out, eat only freshly prepared, piping hot food.
Eat regularly, and avoid frequent snacking or long gaps between meals.
Eat a lighter diet at night. If you're eating meat or oily foods, reduce the quantity because they take longer to digest.
Drink herbal teas with ingredients like ginger and peppermint to soothe your digestive system.
If you have an upset stomach, you can try taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to relax your stomach. You can dilute it in water and take small sips slowly.
