Erratic weather sends more residents to docs

WEAKENED IMMUNITY There has been a 50% rise in ear, throat, skin and eye infections, in the post-monsoon period

NAVI MUMBAI: If you have been experiencing a sore throat or burning sensation in the eye, make sure you visit your physician immediately because the rising heat coupled with humidity and intermittent rain has led to a spurt in ailments in the city.

According to doctors, the increase in humidity is the primary reason for activating certain bacteria, which leads to a number of infections in the eye, throat, respiratory tract and skin. “There has been a sudden increase in patients who have been complaining of eye and throat pain, coupled with fever over the last few weeks. While most of them start of as virals and then turn into bacterial infections, some are also fungal in nature,” said Dr Ramya Menon, an ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist from Nerul.

“In case of ear infections, the ears are blocked and a person may experience difficulty in hearing. This also makes it difficult for them to concentrate on anything, thus leading to irritation and leaving them disorientated,” she said.

Conjunctivitis, too, has been very common in the post-monsoon period, with a 50% rise in cases recently, said ophthalmologists.

“When patients suffer from a cold, they tend to touch their eyes without sanitising their hands. This spreads the infection,” said Dr Manohar Choudhury, Vashibased eye-specialist.

Further, infections of the respiratory tract and skin breakouts are also on the high. Doctors attributed this to the weakened immunity because of constant changes in weather. To add to this, the heat forces people to consume cold drinks, deserts and other beverages that are sold by roadside vendors. Doctors advised against eating these foods off the roads since many a times they are made of artificial ingredients and emulsifiers that are harmful to the body.

“These frozen products are best avoided as they damage the mucous membranes in the throat. Also, the list of ingredients used to make ice creams should be read carefully, before purchasing them. Eating from roadside stalls that sell juices and sherbets are also a strict no-no,” said Kharghar-based nutritionist Dr Varsha Ghorpade.