A Significant Rise in Digestive Disorder Post COVID

As the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic rages throughout the country, there is a surge in associated digestive issues like gaseousness, bloating, and acidity, say doctors. The number of patients with these complaints are increasing at an alarming rate.

WHO recommender, frequent sanitization of hand and reachable items with alcohol based sanitizers is one. The component of Hand Sanitizers are some of highly toxic chemicals like ethanol, isopropyl alcohols, hydrogen peroxides in different combinations.

US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention have identified serious consequences, including apnoea, acidosis and coma in young children who swallowed alcohol-based hand sanitizers. It further stated that Hand sanitizers may do more harm than good, leading to serious consequences such as stomach pains, nausea and even coma. If this could be the effect on children, its quite obvious that it would have not less adversity on adults.

According to The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Several people have already fallen ill or experienced health complications — including cardiac issues, problems with the central nervous system, and death — after mistakenly ingesting hand sanitizer. In order for a sanitizer to be able to destroy bacteria and viruses, it must be 60 to 70 percent ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which may cause vomiting, loss of control — to loss of consciousness and even death in very large, intentional overdoses, Considering the sanity of adults, there are rare chances of acute overdose. However, chances of chronic intoxication, in small doses, everyday use of sanitizers and it entering our system can cause equally or severe damage to digestion.

As the lockdown has progressed, there has been an outpouring of food and cooking-related posts on social media reflecting on an increased interest in cooking.

• Cooking gourmet meals have become more frequent.
• There is an increase in food deliveries and consumption of processed food.
• Though the restaurants have closed down, home delivery orders have shown an upsurge. Meals have turned spicier and calorie-dense

Regular Exercise:

• Outdoor avenues for physical activity and exercise have become forgotten heroes.

Good Sleep:

• Meal timings have gone for a toss as people are struggling to keep up with a daily routine and sleep cycle.
• Social Media and OTT platforms have locked down our routine, well reflated in screen time.

Stress:

• All above aspects are role players in Stress Regulations.
  • Tragic loss of loved ones.
  • Financial disability, uncertainty. 
  • People are trying to deal with illness, News around, the hue and cry. Helpless civilians and clueless administration is not helping to reduce stress level.

COVID-19 It Self:

It is now known that Covid-19 infection by itself can also lead to gastro-intestinal presentation in the form of loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and pain in the abdomen. Along with this, there is an increasing number of patients who present with a range of digestive issues like bloating, gaseousness, acidity, acid reflux, constipation, and exacerbation of irritable bowel syndrome, in the recovery phase after the COVID infection. Treatment of Covid-19 includes multiple drug combinations. Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, antimalarial, and steroids need to be used in many patients and tend to take a toll on the gastro-intestinal system during the recovery phase.

• Have a disciplined daily routine.
• Diet is a very important aspect and special care must be taken to avoid an oily and excessively spicy diet.
• Stay away from sugar.
• Try not to order food from outside very frequently.
• Eat on time and avoid very late-night meals. Include salads, fruits, and curd in the diet regularly. Also, be cognizant about portion control. Try to avoid overeating and excessive snacking.
• Limit tea and coffee intake to one or two cups a day. Refrain from smoking and alcohol. Practice mindful eating.
• Lastly, have enough water and keep yourself hydrated.
• Regular exercise is also very important for digestive health. If you cannot go outside, do home exercises.