2. COMMON MONSOON DISEASES :
Monsoon
brings with it raindrops,
samosas and plenty of diseases for us to watch out for.
We are familiar with the flu season and
it is none other than our favourite monsoon season, just
in disguise.
Therefore, this is the best time to put
‘prevention is better than cure’ into action.
3. 1. Dengue Fever:
The most common condition caused by tiger
mosquito.
Dengue symptoms are high fever, low platelet count,
rashes,
hypersensitivity amongst other things.
Using mosquito repellents and insect repellent
plants like citronella .It is a good idea to prevent this
mosquito from entering your work station or home.
Wearing clothes that cover your entire body will
also be useful.
4. Chikungunya is majorly caused by mosquitoes born
in stagnated water found in air conditioners,
coolers, plants, utensils, water pipes. This disease is
transmitted through the bite of an aedes albopictus
mosquito. This mosquito can bite you not only at
night but also during the day.
Joint pains and fever are two most common
symptoms of chikungunya. Clearing out surfaces or
containers with stagnant water and using insect
repellent are the best way of prevention from
chikungunya.
5. 3.MALARIA :
Malaria is caused by female
anopheles mosquito, which breed
in waterlogged areas. It is because
of this, that malaria is the most
common ailment during monsoon.
Fever, shivers, muscle pain and
weakness are the most prominent
symptoms of malaria.
The best way to prevent malaria
is to clean the water tank in your
house frequently and to keep your
surroundings clean.
6. 4.Diarrhoea:
Diarrhoea:
This widespread bowel disease is caused due
to the consumption of unhygienic foods and
water.
Diarrhoea is a highly preventable and treatable
disease if one is careful.
There are two kinds of diarrhoea, acute and
chronic, both of which can be dealt with.
Drinking boiled water and sticking home food
is the best way to prevent this disease.
7. 5.TYPHOID
A water borne disease, typhoid is
commonly caused due to poor sanitation.
This means consumption of food and water
cooked or kept in bad sanitation.
S. Typhi bacteria is what causes typhoid.
Fever, headache, weakness, pain and sore
throat are some symptoms of typhoid.
Keeping a hand sanitizer with you at all
times, refraining from consuming street food
and drinking healthy fluids will help you
prevent from getting typhoid.
8. 6.Viral fever:
Viral fevers are a common
symptom through the year,
but are the most common
during monsoons.
Severe fever, cold and cough
are some common symptoms.
This may last from 3-7 days.
However, it is always good to
consult your doctor before
diagnosing anything.
9. 7.CHOLERA :
Another monsoon disease that is
caused due to the consumption of
contaminated food and water.
Poor hygiene and sanitation can
cause many diseases and cholera is
one of them.
Diarrhoea accompanied by lose
motions is the most common symptom
of this monsoon disease.
10. 8.LEPTOSPIROSIS:
Also known as Weil’s syndrome,
leptospirosis is caused by coming
in contact with dirty water or
muck.
Inflammation, shivers, muscle
pain, headache and fever are the
common symptoms of this
commonly spread monsoon
disease.
If you have any kind of cuts or
bruises, it is better to cover
them when stepping out to avoid
getting this disease.
11. 9.STOMACH INFECTIONS:
Vomiting, diarrhoea and
stomach pain are the most
common stomach infections to
get in this weather. This is
popularly caused by consuming
poorly handled food and liquid
products. Gastroenteritis is
another common
stomach infection
caused during this time. It is
advised to have boiled water,
have home cooked food and
drinking enough healthy
liquids.
12. 10.JAUNDICE:
Monsoon is the primary time of
catching disease through consumption
of contaminated water and food.
Weakness, yellow urine, yellowing of
eyes, vomiting and liver dysfunction
are the symptoms of jaundice and
should be looked out for immediately.
As mentioned above, drinking boiled
water, sticking to home cooked food
and avoiding street food as much as
you can is the best way to prevent this
virus.
13. First Aid Kit Must Haves For Your Medicine
Cabinet
Pain Medication for Headache, Back Pain, And Ankle Sprain
Relief From Indigestion, Heart Burn, Or Dyspepsia
Keep A Cough Suppressant Like Dextromethorphan Handy For A Dry Cough
Loperamide: Quick Relief From The Bathroom Trots
First Aid Kit Must Have: Basic Wound Dressings For Cuts And Grazed Limbs
A Soothing Skin Cream For Skin Rashes, Dermatitis, And Mild Eczema
Antihistamine Tablets For Hay Fever, Allergies and Insect Bites
14. Pain Medication for Headache, Back Pain,
And Ankle Sprain
If you were allowed only ONE thing in your first aid kit or cabinet, then a
medication to combat pain would have to be it.
So many different conditions and most injuries cause pain, so you'll find
yourself reaching for these several times a year, if not more.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the most basic pain medication. It has few
interactions, barely any side effects, and is generally safe for most people
to take. Be sure to take only the recommended dose, because too much
can be toxic to the liver.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen
(Aleve) treat pain and have the added bonus of calming down
inflammation. However, they are more likely than acetaminophen to
interact with other medications or not be suitable for people with certain
conditions, such as asthma, kidney disease, or stomach ulcers.
15. Relief From Indigestion, Heart Burn, Or
Dyspepsia
Fatty, greasy or spicy foods can play havoc with your digestion. So can
eating too much food, too fast. Which is why keeping a bottle of Maalox or
a packet of Tums in your cabinet for occasional indigestion-relief is not a
bad idea.
However, any symptoms of heart burn, bloating, or stomach discomfort
that occur regularly, regardless of what you eat, need to be checked out
by a doctor. Indigestion is a symptom of several conditions, some more
serious than others.
16. Keep A Cough Suppressant Like
Dextromethorphan Handy For A Dry Cough
Cough! Cough! Cough!.......Cough! Cough! Cough!....Arrrgggghhhh!
Uncontrollable coughing, especially at night can be exasperating for your
whole household. So endless praise will be reaped upon you if you happen
to have a cough suppressant like dextromethorphan (Dexalone, Robitussin
Cough Gels) right there in your medicine cabinet to put a stop to the
coughing.
Just make sure that the person with the dry cough doesn't have any other
worrying symptoms. If they are short of breath, a young child, or have a
fever it is best to seek medical attention right away.
Coughs that sound more chesty are best soothed by expectorants such as
guaifenesin (Mucinex) which will help make it easier to cough phelgm up.
17. Loperamide: Quick Relief From The
Bathroom Trots
Diarrhea, unfortunately, has a habit of occurring without much warning.
Causes are numerous - from viral illnesses, food poisoning, food
intolerances, to antibiotics, just to name a few. Save yourself a potentially
disastrous dash to get medicine by having an anti-diarrheal right on hand.
Medications such as loperamide (Imodium A-D), bismuth subsalicylate
(Kaopectate) and diphenoxylate (Lomotil [prescription-only]) all help
control diarrhea, buying you more time to get to the bathroom. Anti-
diarrheal medications are not always suitable for everyone, so plan ahead
and check with your doctor or pharmacist that they are suitable for you,
should you ever need them.
18. First Aid Kit Must Have: Basic Wound
Dressings For Cuts And Grazed Limbs
Injuries around the home are common, so keep a few wound dressings and
other products on hand to enable you to perform some basic first aid on a
wound before deciding if it needs more professional attention.
Most wound care experts recommend either saline (a concentration of
0.9% salt in water) or a commercial wound cleanser that is gentle on
healing wound tissue. Once the wound is clean, cover it with a breathable
dressing or gauze. Keep a few different types of dressings in your
medicine cabinet; your pharmacist can advise you about the purpose of
each one. Antibiotic creams like Neosporin should only be used if
prescribed by a doctor, but topical antiseptic agents may be applied after
cleansing.
If your wound is severe or looks infected you will need to see your doctor
for professional treatment.
19. A Soothing Skin Cream For Skin Rashes,
Dermatitis, And Mild Eczema
Our skin is an amazing organ but it is also reasonably sensitive. Contact
with chemicals, certain plants, or concrete pavements can easily disrupt
its natural protective function.
Having a soothing skin cream on hand like topical hydrocortisone provides
instant relief and will relieve the urge to scratch which will make your
rash worse. Just use a small amount, but see a doctor if the rash starts to
look bright red, oozing or infected, or persists for more than a couple of
days. Topical hydrocortisone should only be used in young babies under a
doctor's advice.
If you develop a rash after taking a medicine, contact your doctor
immediately because this may signal a serious allergic reaction to that
medicine.
20. Antihistamine Tablets For Hay Fever,
Allergies and Insect Bites
More than 10% of the US population is affected by hay fever, with ragweed
the most common cause. Even if you don't suffer yourself, a future visitor
may do, so keep a packet of antihistamines in your first aid kit.
Oral antihistamines are also more useful than antihistamine bite cream for
providing relief from itching after multiple insect bites. They are perfect
to have on hand for any mild allergic reactions, but always see a doctor if
the reaction appears to be getting worse or other symptoms such as
difficulty breathing or facial swelling occur.
Non-sedating antihistamines (those that don't make you sleepy), such as
fexofenadine (Allegra) or loratadine (Claritin) are best if you need to go to
school, work, or drive a vehicle. Alternatively, sedating antihistamines
such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may be used to help you sleep better
at night.
21. HOUSE FIRST AID KIT SHOULD CONTAIN FOLLOWING
MATERIAL AND MEDICINE FOR EMERGENCY USE:
FIRST AID BOX INVENTORY
FEVER AND PAIN
LOOSE MOTION AND WATER BORNE
COMPLAINTS
STOMACH PROBLEMS LIKE GASTRIC
,HEARTBURN
FOR COUGH AND ALLERGY
RASH ON SKIN AND DRY SKIN
INJURY
USES
ACETAMINOPHEN =PARACETAMOL
=CROCIN/ DOLO TABLET
FOR CHILDREN =PARACETAMOL
ORAL SUSPENSION
LOPERAMIDE =IMODIUM TABLET
ANTACID TABLET:SODIUM HYDROGEN
BICARBONATE TABLET, PANTAPRAZOLE
40mg TABLET
CHLOROPHENIRAMINE = BENADRYL
SYRUP
CALAMINE LOTION
POVIDONE IODINE GEL OR
BETADINE,ROLLER GAUZE BANDAGE,
COTTON ,SCISSORS