By: Aneela Qureshi
World Health Organization (WHO) classifies dengue as the world’s “fastest spreading vector- borne viral disease”, With approximately 40 percent of the world’s population at risk of contracting it.
Dengue has become the most prevailing disease in the country. It is continue to growing from last few years. According to recent National health report, the number of registered dengue patients in the country is at over 10,000. Out of the total, 2,363 patients are from Punjab; 2,258 from Sindh; 1,814 from KP; and 1,772 from Baluchistan. These are alarming figures, and they are expected to grow as parts of the country continue to experience heavy rainfall, soar temperatures, and the poor cleanliness of the cities are still challenge for the authorities. The worst hit cities are Karachi and Rawalpindi.
There are necessary precautions to get you protected from dengue. One need to adopt these precautions so that dengue will not infect body. To prevent illness from dengue environmental management of mosquitoes and personal hygiene is important.
As many as 10,013 dengue cases have so far been reported this year from across the country. The data claimed that the number of dengue cases has touched the five- digit figures, and there are chances of further increase in these cases in the following weeks.
According to the Mayo clinic, dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that occurs in tropical and tropical areas of the world. Mild Dengue symptoms involve high fever, body rash, muscle and joint pain. And the severe form of dengue also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever can cause severe bleeding, sudden drop in blood pressure (shock) and ultimately death. Dengue causes high fever- 104 F degrees and at least two of the following symptoms such as Headache, muscle, bone and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, rash and swollen glands. Most people recover within a week or so. But in some cases it may worsen the health condition of an individual.
Diet and Lifestyle modification plays important role in combating such problems. In dengue fever, patients should follow the good healthy habits in order to prevent from further health problem.
The healthier foods should be added in the diet plan of dengue patients as patients gets very weak after having heavy dose of medicines and poor appetite. In this condition, the diet for dengue patient should include healthy foods such as oranges, papaya, herbal tea, coconut water, fresh vegetable juices, soup, and fruit juices. Fresh and healthy diet with dengue will surely help patient for fast recovery.
There are necessary precautions to get you protected from dengue. One need to adopt these precautions so that dengue will not infect body. To prevent illness from dengue environmental management of mosquitoes and personal hygiene is important. Stay in air conditioned or well-screened housing, use mosquito repellent, reduce mosquito habitat and wear protective clothing to save yourself from dengue infection. The following plan should follow by the dengue patient for only one week.
Food plan:
25-30 raisins for the pre-breakfast (within 2-3 minutes of waking up). For breakfast Yogurt, or desi daliya with milk or egg or yogurt or yakhni. Three hours after breakfast fresh apple juice with one table spoon of lemon or natural apple vinegar. Lunch: brown rice khichiri with yogurt or wheat daliya with shorba. Three hours after lunch mix fruits especially papaya, grapes and anar can be taken. For dinner again take khichiri with yogurt or wheat daliya. Half a cup of green tea with shaker has to be taken three times a day after the meals. Boiled potato, corn, yakhni and cheese are also helpful. Food should be cooked in white butter or desi ghee.
Further, take pain relievers with acetaminophen but not the medicines with aspirin. Consult the best Doctor; take rest as much as you could as it is very important for the patient suffering from dengue. Avoid heavy meals and eat hygienic food prepared at home. Follow the precautions as mentioned above. I hope the government, health ministry and officials concerned will try to come up with the solution to control the spread of dengue in Pakistan. Stay safe.
The writer is a lifestyle consultant based in Islamabad. She can be reached at [email protected]