‘Avoid cut fruits, drinking stored water from carts': Experts on heat-related stomach infections, food poisoning in Chandigarh
To avoid food poisoning, Dr Rakesh Kochhar, former head, department of gastroenterology, PGI, Chandigarh, recommends being vigilant about the shelf life of foods and if cooked, ensuring that they do not lie around unrefrigerated for over two hours.
'Micro-organisms grow quickly, which can cause gastroenteritis. So, avoid cut fruits and drinking stored water from roadside carts. Do not consume stale cream, mayonnaise, cheese and uncooked or partially cooked vegetables like those in some Chinese dishes and salads. Avoid ice cubes in public places if you are not sure whether the water in it is filtered or not. Meat, chicken and fish have limited shelf life; cook and consume them within a day. Be extra careful with water, milk products and salads, and consult a doctor for treatment,' says Dr Kochhar.
Experts warn that if you are drinking too many sodas or carbonated water on hot summer days, you might just end up dehydrating yourself even more.
With rising temperatures, the most common problem to hit people is dehydration, especially those who work outdoors, says Dr Vikas Bhutani, Director (Internal Medicine), Fortis Hospital.
'Dehydration can manifest in different ways, ranging from giddiness to exhaustion and abdominal discomfort. People should take plenty of fluids, such as coconut water, ORS drinks, fruit juices, buttermilk etc., apart from liberal intake of water to keep them well-hydrated. Avoid soft drinks, especially carbonated beverages, and alcohol. Even water-filled fruits such as melon and watermelon should be taken as a routine to maintain proper hydration,' says Dr Bhutani.
'Carbonated, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks cause a lot of water loss through urination. And since you have them chilled, the extreme cold tightens and constricts your blood vessels, reducing loss of body heat,' says Dr Sonia Gandhi, HOD, Nutrition and Dietetics, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
In fact, this dehydration is the reason that stomach-related ailments increase during the summer months, she adds.
'Avoid soft drinks that are rich in sugar, preservatives and artificial colours. Diluted phosphoric acid is seen in several aerated drinks or carbonated beverages. These can damage the gastrointestinal lining and cause calcium to leach from the bones. These acids can also trigger stone formation,' says Dr Gandhi.
Added sugars can lead to insulin resistance, weight gain and obesity.
Regular consumption of sugary carbonated drinks is linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Carbonation can cause bloating and gas, with carbon dioxide leading to belching and potentially worsening acid reflux.
Some carbonated drinks are loaded with caffeine, which interferes with sleep.
Opt for spiced lemonade, coconut water, fruit cocktails, jaljeera and lassi, advises Dr Gandhi.
But the body must be kept well-hydrated to naturally regulate your body temperature and prevent heat stroke.
'Hydration is essential in maintaining adequate blood volume, energy levels and body functions. Consume water as per your activity level, outdoor temperature and body composition. One quick estimation of dehydration is to check the colour of urine. You want it to be pale and straw-coloured,' says Dr Gandhi.
Dr Ranjana Bhatt, internal medicine consultant at Max Hospital, Chandigarh, cautions against drinking pulped juices because they often lack fibre and other essential nutrients present in whole fruits and vegetables, while also being high in sugar and calories.
'Watermelon, cucumbers and oranges are extremely nutrient-rich and can help you stay hydrated. Melon, squash and pumpkins are not only easy to digest but also help in reducing the body temperature,' she adds.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
US lawmakers press FDA to target knockoff weight-loss drugs
Dozens of lawmakers are urging US health regulators to crack down on the booming market for knockoff weight-loss drugs amid mounting concerns over their potential safety risks. On Friday, a group of more than 80 bipartisan lawmakers asked the US Food and Drug Administration to stop counterfeit and copycat versions of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound from flooding the market-a problem that emerged over the last year. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity MCA Data Science Degree Leadership PGDM Public Policy Operations Management others Others Product Management healthcare Digital Marketing MBA Technology Project Management CXO Finance Artificial Intelligence Healthcare Data Analytics Management Design Thinking Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details "We are concerned about recent reports revealing a surge in illegal and counterfeit anti-obesity medications," they wrote in a letter to FDA commissioner Marty Makary. "Undoubtedly, illegal counterfeit medications pose an increased risk to patient safety with sometimes fatal consequences." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The group-spearheaded by Representatives Richard Hudson of North Carolina and Herb Conaway of New Jersey-asked the agency to ramp up enforcement over illegally imported weight-loss drugs. They suggested issuing warning letters and better monitoring non-compliant online retailers and so-called compounding pharmacies that sell the medicines. The lawmakers also said the FDA should work in tandem with US Customs and Border Patrol agents to stop Chinese entities from shipping unsafe weight-loss drugs into the US. They requested an update on the FDA's efforts by July 30, given the "urgency" of the situation. Live Events A spokesperson for the FDA said the agency will work with the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide a "complete and thorough" response to the issues raised in the lawmakers' letter. "Any effort to undermine America's supply of safe medicines is an issue that FDA takes seriously," the spokesperson said. "And we are deeply committed to strengthening the oversight of imported products at US ports of entry." In recent years, the popularity of GLP-1 drugs has led to an explosion of copycats and counterfeits made by companies seeking to capitalise on the hype. State-licensed pharmacies were temporarily allowed to make copies of the drugs during a supply shortage but are no longer permitted to do so after Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly boosted production. Still, some pharmacies have refused to wind down their operations while others have pivoted to selling the drugs in lower doses in order to avoid regulatory scrutiny. Counterfeit drugs are made by unregistered entities typically using illegally imported ingredients. As recently as April, there continue to be instances when counterfeit Ozempic pens covertly enter the drug supply chain undetected. Some patients are also purchasing ingredients directly from online sellers in an attempt to make the drugs themselves at home. In both cases, the medications don't go through the same rigorous approval process as brand-name drugs made by Novo and Lilly. Experts worry the lack of oversight is putting patients at risk. The FDA has said it's aware of hospitalisations potentially linked to the copycat drugs, but that adverse events are likely being underreported. "We support the bi-partisan call for the FDA to crack down on counterfeit and illegally sold weight-loss drugs," said a spokesperson for Hims & Hers Health, one of the telehealth firms that sells compounded GLP-1s. "We appreciate lawmakers' recognition that legitimate compounded medications dispensed by state-regulated pharmacies are not counterfeit. Patient safety must always come first." Novo and Lilly have discouraged consumers from using compounded and counterfeit products, including suing telehealth firms that sell the copycat versions and working with border agents to seize illegal shipments.
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
GMCH-32: Newly constructed block to be inaugurated on Aug 8, to decongest gynaecology dept
The newly constructed 283-bed Emergency-cum-Trauma Block at GMCH-32 is all set to be inaugurated on August 8, to coincide with the 11th convocation, promising to reduce overload on the existing emergency units in the city, improve patient care and ensure better utilisation of resources. In the hospital's history, the A Block, where 24-hour emergency services are provided to patients, was the first to become functional, and since 1996, there has been no renovation of this block. 'With the new state-of-the-art trauma block ready for patients, the first step will be to renovate the area, with the engineering and fire safety departments already in action to ensure the latest facilities, amenities and safety. Once this is complete, we will start the process of decongesting our gynaecology department, which also comprises the labour room, and witnesses patients from across the region, including the large migrant population that we have. We will be utilising this space for the expansion of the department, and also add more beds to ease rush. We are making efforts to provide more speciality and super-speciality services. The process of space creation is a dynamic one,' said Prof A K Attri, Director-Principal, GMCH-32. The gynaecology department of the hospital has 100 beds, with 10 beds added way back in 2017. The number of patients in the gynaecology department is very high, and despite the increase in beds, there are not enough beds for pregnant women. More than 5,000 women deliver in GMCH every year, and when the number of cases is higher, two women have to be adjusted on one bed, with the occupancy rate almost 200 per cent. The hospital receives delivery cases from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Uttarakhand, UP, and despite the shortage of beds, the effort is to provide treatment. As per doctors, the gynaecology department of GMCH-32 has the highest number of deliveries, followed by GMSH-16 and then PGI. Both PGI and GMCH-32 will have exclusive Mother and Child Centres, with work on the project of GMCH-32 having started in 2018, but was delayed due to COVID and has now restarted. With a budget of about Rs 73 crore, the centre, which will be open in about two years, will have two basements and four floors and have a facility of 251 beds, with the latest facilities and services under one roof. Dr Attri said it will decrease infant and mother mortality rate. PGI's Advanced Mother and Child Care Centre, where work is in full swing and may be inaugurated at the end of this year, will be equipped with the latest technologies and offer world-class facilities in both maternal and neonatal care. A human milk bank, advanced infertility treatment, robotic surgery, critical care obstetrics, high-risk maternity unit, foetal medicine unit, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis, and reproductive endocrinology unit will be part of the centre. Here, there will be a modern developmentally supportive and family-centred level IV NICU designed as per current International NICU design specifications, a family-centred Kangaroo Mother Care ward, and a comprehensive high-risk follow-up programme. A long-needed facility, the Advanced Paediatric Centre at GMSH-16 was inaugurated last year. The 32-bedded facility offers state-of-the-art specialised care, featuring a 12-bedded hybrid ICU unit comprising ventilator beds and high-dependency unit beds. The centre includes 20 oxygen-supported beds and features ECG, echocardiography, and ultrasonography, all under one roof, so that parents don't have to go anywhere for these tests and their children receive the best care. There are 24-hour services like blood transfusion, sample collection, nebulisation etc, for critical patients, and this advanced centre has eased the burden on PGI.
Mint
11 hours ago
- Mint
Lawmakers Press FDA to Target Knockoff Weight-Loss Drugs
(Bloomberg) -- Dozens of lawmakers are urging US health regulators to crack down on the booming market for knockoff weight-loss drugs amid mounting concerns over their potential safety risks. On Friday, a group of more than 80 bipartisan lawmakers asked the US Food and Drug Administration to stop counterfeit and copycat versions of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound from flooding the market — a problem that emerged over the last year. 'We are concerned about recent reports revealing a surge in illegal and counterfeit anti-obesity medications,' they wrote in a letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. 'Undoubtedly, illegal counterfeit medications pose an increased risk to patient safety with sometimes fatal consequences.' The group — spearheaded by Representatives Richard Hudson of North Carolina and Herb Conaway of New Jersey — asked the agency to ramp up enforcement over illegally imported weight-loss drugs. They suggested issuing warning letters and better monitoring non-compliant online retailers and so-called compounding pharmacies that sell the medicines. The lawmakers also said the FDA should work in tandem with US Customs and Border Patrol agents to stop Chinese entities from shipping unsafe weight-loss drugs into the US. They requested an update on the FDA's efforts by July 30, given the 'urgency' of the situation. A spokesperson for the FDA said the agency will work with the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide a 'complete and thorough' response to the issues raised in the lawmakers' letter. 'Any effort to undermine America's supply of safe medicines is an issue that FDA takes seriously,' the spokesperson said. 'And we are deeply committed to strengthening the oversight of imported products at US ports of entry.' In recent years, the popularity of GLP-1 drugs has led to an explosion of copycats and counterfeits made by companies seeking to capitalize on the hype. State-licensed pharmacies were temporarily allowed to make copies of the drugs during a supply shortage, but are no longer permitted to do so after Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly & Co. boosted production. Still, some pharmacies have refused to wind down their operations while others have pivoted to selling the drugs in lower doses in order to avoid regulatory scrutiny. Counterfeit drugs are made by unregistered entities typically using illegally imported ingredients. As recently as April, there continue to be instances when counterfeit Ozempic pens covertly enter the drug supply chain undetected. Some patients are also purchasing ingredients directly from online sellers in an attempt to make the drugs themselves at home. In both cases, the medications don't go through the same rigorous approval process as brand-name drugs made by Novo and Lilly. Experts worry the lack of oversight is putting patients at risk. The FDA has said it's aware of hospitalizations potentially linked to the copycat drugs, but that adverse events are likely being underreported. 'We support the bi-partisan call for the FDA to crack down on counterfeit and illegally sold weight-loss drugs,' said a spokesperson for Hims & Hers Health Inc., one of the telehealth firms that sells compounded GLP-1s. 'We appreciate lawmakers' recognition that legitimate compounded medications dispensed by state-regulated pharmacies are not counterfeit. Patient safety must always come first.' Novo and Lilly have discouraged consumers from using compounded and counterfeit products, including suing telehealth firms that sell the copycat versions and working with border agents to seize illegal shipments. Under the Biden administration, the companies repeatedly urged the FDA to take action, but the agency mostly limited its actions to issuing consumer warnings — even as its top drug official publicly acknowledged safety concerns. Under the Trump administration, the HHS has also focused more heavily on other issues, such as banning food dyes and examining vaccine schedules. Meanwhile, lawmakers are ramping up their calls for action. State attorneys and other lawmakers have sent letters to the FDA and Federal Trade Commission advocating for greater transparency around the treatments and more scrutiny around marketing practices. (Updates with statement from FDA in sixth and seventh paragraphs.) More stories like this are available on
