Cholera is a serious infection, involving the lower part of the small bowel.It is one of the most severe diseases of the intestines. It is a waterborne disease and is common during monsoon. The disease is predominant in children in endemic areas like India and other countries of South East and Mid East Asia. Its incidence is much higher in the age group between one and three years than in other age groups of children.
Cholera strikes suddenly and tills the intestinal canal with bacilli which die rapidly and leave the person alive or dead. It comes as an epidemic and creates havoc but subsides quickly in the locality. Those who are susceptible to it are carried away and those who are left alive become immune to it.
Thus after an epidemic in a non-endemic area, there is no revisitation by cholera in the locality for two or three-years. Cholera is a life threatening disease and fluid loss is so rapid that no chances can or should be taken. It is best to take the patient to a hospital for intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
Symptoms of Cholera:
Cholera appears in three stages. In the fIrst stage, the patient suffers from mild diarrhea and vomiting, which worsens rapidly. The motions become watery, containing no fecal matter. The patient gets severe cramps in the muscles of the abdomen and limbs, resulting from lack of salts. The temperature rises but the skin is generally cold. Taking water to quench the thirst makes the cramps worse by diluting the body salts still further.
In the second stage, known as the stage of collapse, the body becomes colder, the skin dry, wrinkled and purple. Voice becomes weak and husky and the urine becomes dark and scanty or altogether absent. It is in this 'algid' stage that the patient may die, as early as 24 hours after the onset of symptoms.
In the third stage, recovery follows in favorable cases. All the changes seem to reverse themselves. The fluid loss decreases and there is a slight improvement in general condition. Even at this stage, the relapse may occur or the patient may sink into a condition resembling typhoid fever. The condition may deteriorate over a period of two or three weeks. During this stage of reaction, the temperature may rise, and the patient may be in danger from pneumonia. Some common symptoms of cholera are:
1.leg cramps
2.vomiting (often).
3.abdominal pains.
4.a rapid onset of dehydration.
Causes of Cholera:
Cholera is caused by a short curved, rod-shaped germ known as vibrio chlorate. This germ produces a powerful poison or endotoxin. It is spread by flies and water contaminated by the germs. The real cause of the disease,however, is the toxic and devita1ised condition of the system brought about by incorrect feeding habits and faulty style of living. This condition facilitates invasion of cholera germs.
Home Remedies for Cholera:
Cholera treatment using Lemon:
The foremost among the many home remedies for cholera is the use of lemon. The juice of this fruit can kill cholera bacilli within a very short time. It is also a very effective and reliable preventive against cholera during an epidemic. It can be taken in the form of a sweetened or salted beverage for this purpose. Taking of lemon with food as a daily routine can also prevent cholera.
Cholera treatment using Guava Root Bark:
The root bark of guava is rich in tannins and it can be successfully employed as a concentrated decoction in cholera. It arrests vomiting and symptoms of diarrhoea. About thirty grams of the root bark should be used in half a litre of water to make the decoction. The water should be boiled down to reduce it by one-third. This decoction can be taken twice daily.
Cholera treatment using Onion:
Onions are another valuable remedy for cholera. About thirty grams of this vegetable and seven black peppers should be pounded finely in a pestle and given to the patient in two or three doses during the day. Onions allay thirst and restlessness and the patient feels better.
Cholera treatment using Bitter Gourd:
The fresh juice of bitter gourd is an effective medicine in the early stages of cholera. Two teaspoons of this juice, mixed with an equal quantity of white onion juice and a teaspoon of lime juice, should be given twice daily in the treatment of this condition.
Cholera treatment using Drumstick Leaves:
The leaves of the drumstick tree are also useful in this disease. A teaspoon of fresh leaf juice, mixed with one teaspoon of honey and a glass of tender coconut water, can be given two or three limes a day as a herbal medicine in the treatment of cholera.
Cholera treatment using Cucumber:
A glass of fresh juice of cucumber leaves with an equal quantity of tender coconut water, given in doses of 30-60 ml, forms a valuable remedy for excessive thirst during cholera. It acts excellently by restoring the acid-base balance in dehydration.
Cholera diet:
Avoid solid food and uncooked vegetables:
The patient should not be given solid food till he has fully recovered from cholera.All uncooked vegetables should be avoided.
Given liquid bland foods, lemon, onions and mint:
Liquid bland foods will be easily digested by the patient. Lemon, onions, vinegar, and mint should be included in the daily diet during an epidemic of cholera.
Other Cholera treatments:
Purification of water supply:
Cholera can be controlled only by rigid purification of water supply and proper disposal of human excreta. In case there is a slightest doubt about contamination of water, it must be boiled before use for drinking and cooking purposes.
Vegetables and fruits must be washed with solution of potassium permanganate:
All foodstuffs must be kept covered, and vegetables and fruits washed with a solution of potassium permanganate before consumption. Those handling food should wash their hands well before starting to cook.
Precautions:
Some of the precautions you can adhere to while suffering from this disease is to have boiled water or treat it with chlorine or iodine, other boiled beverages such as coffee and tea are very good too, make sure to have food which are cooked thoroughly, undercooked meals is not good in this kind of condition, avoid having salads which are not cooked and some of the basic precaution which can be taken.
