Gastroenteritis, dehydration needed to be taken seriously

Islamabad

The incidence of gastroenteritis and dehydration may lead to serious life-threatening complications particularly among those who are fasting in the holy month of Ramazan and according to health experts, these should not be taken non-serious.

Studies reveal that severe diarrhoea among those who are fasting may cause acute kidney injury, a life-threatening condition. It may lead to a greater loss of fluids and electrolytes in the body causing a number of complications particularly among elderly and pregnant women.

Health experts say that people should be aware of the fact that gastro is dangerous particularly at extremes of ages and in pregnant women while fasting with the complaints of the disease intact. It is advised that pregnant women having persistent vomiting or loose motions should avoid fasting in the holy month of Ramazan as it may harm their health and the growth of foetus.

It is witnessed that a number of deaths are reported in Ramazan due to complications of gastroenteritis and dehydration particularly of elderly people and chronic patients. Severe gastro and shock is generally started with vomiting and loose motions leading to a state of drowsiness among patients who become unable to pass urine and the condition may cause death.

Data collected by ‘The News’ has already revealed that the number of cases of dehydration and gastroenteritis is on the rise in the region since the advent of Ramazan and according to health experts, it is mainly because majority of people do not take the health threats serious nor follow a proper diet plan to avoid the problems.

Like every Ramazan, the number of total patients at outpatient departments of public sector hospitals in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi has decreased since the beginning of Ramazan but the proportion of patients with gastro and dehydration is on the rise.

Experts believe that gastro and dehydration along with a number of other seasonal ailments can easily be avoided by following good dietary habits, using clean water for drinking and consuming safe food prepared in hygienic conditions.

Gastroenteritis, the water and food borne bacterial infections generally causes vomiting, fever, severe diarrhoea with dehydration and lowering of blood pressure and the symptoms may cause severe complications among fasting patients.