Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery Diarrhoea. It may result in serious Dehydration and death within hours, if untreated. Eating food or water infected with the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae triggers Cholera. This generally occurs in areas of poor sanitation, poor water treatment and unsafe food practices.
The disease spreads where there's no clean water and affects anybody who drinks or consumes something contaminated with the bacteria. The symptoms of Cholera include fast onset of Diarrhoea which may rapidly flush the body of its important salts and fluids, resulting in shock and Dehydration, if left unattended.
Luckily, Cholera can be avoided and cured. Using and drinking clean water, proper sanitation and good hygiene are preventive steps to keep this serious condition away. In case Cholera occurs, rehydration is necessary, which can be treated effectively with oral rehydration solutions. More severe cases may require intravenous fluids and antibiotics. With prompt treatment, Cholera can be quickly and completely cured. Public health measures and education about safe water and food consumption also help prevent outbreaks of this deadly disease.
Consuming water or food infected by the Vibrio Cholerae bacteria triggers Cholera. This could cause an outbreak, particularly where water and sanitation facilities aren't adequate. Knowing the common sources of contamination may help prevent the disease and manage its spread.
The common causes of Cholera include:
Contaminated Water: The spread of Cholera occurs via drinking water contaminated with the Cholera bacterium. This is common where sewage and drinking water supplies are poorly separated.
Unsafe Food: Eating food washed with contaminated water or prepared by someone who has Cholera can also spread the infection. Street food in areas with poor hygiene standards is especially dangerous.
Seafood Raw or Undercooked: Vibrio Cholerae might be found in seafood caught in waters polluted with sewage. Eating raw or poorly cooked seafood like oysters or sushi can cause Cholera infections.
Fruits & Vegetables: Unpeeled fruits and vegetables fertilised with contaminated water are common vectors of Cholera.
Poor Sanitation: Areas with poor sanitation may lead to the spread of Cholera. Open defecation and absence of proper sewage disposal systems allow the bacterium to enter water bodies intended for drinking or bathing.
Cholera symptoms generally appear within a few hours to 5 days after bacterial exposure to the Vibrio Cholerae bacteria. Early recognition of the symptoms may lead to prompt treatment, saving countless lives.
The common signs and symptoms of Cholera are:
The classic symptom of Cholera is watery Diarrhoea resembling rice water. This may start suddenly and cause rapid fluid loss.
Vomiting may also follow in addition to Diarrhoea in Cholera cases and could lead to additional Dehydration.
As the body loses fluid, the heart rate may increase as it tries to compensate for the lower blood volume.
Extreme electrolyte imbalances from rapid loss of salts and minerals due to Diarrhoea and vomiting can cause leg muscle cramps.
This is a serious concern and can show as sunken eyes, dry mouth, poor skin elasticity (skin does not bounce back quickly when pinched) and constant thirst.
Dehydration could result in a decrease in blood pressure and may make you feel dizzy or faint standing up.
Low electrolyte and fluid levels can cause mental state changes including lethargy or irritability.
More serious cases of Cholera may cause shock, which is indicated by feeling too cold or bluish-grey skin.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Cholera using evidence-based Ayurveda. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
Specially Prepared Ayurvedic medicines: Personalised herbal formulas for calming doshas and helping with mood stabilisation.
Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness: Relaxing methods for mental wellness and general well being of patients.
Ayurvedic Therapies: Treatments like Panchakarma and massages cleanse the body and balance emotional health.
Dietary & Lifestyle Changes: Expert advice on adjusting your diet and lifestyle to achieve better health outcomes.
Ayurvedic herbs can help cure Cholera, a serious water-borne illness characterised by watery Diarrhoea. These traditional remedies work on balancing the body’s doshas and improving digestive health. Ayurvedic treatments use natural herbs and substances to ease symptoms and heal the body.
Some essential Ayurvedic medicines for Cholera include:
Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica): Kutaja reduces Diarrhoeal frequency and restores intestinal health owing to its anti-diarrheal properties. It is taken as a powder or decoction.
Musta (Cyperus rotundus): It's a well known herb in Ayurvedic medicine, used to regulate the digestive system and for treating stomach problems such as Cholera. It helps absorb excess moisture in the intestines, reducing Diarrhoea.
Bilva (Aegle marmelos): Diarrhoea and dysentery are treated with Bilva fruit and leaves. Bilva soothes the digestive system and is especially useful in controlling Cholera symptoms.
Chandan (Santalum album): Chandan or sandalwood is beneficial for its cooling and soothing properties. It reduces inflammation and calms the stomach during Cholera infections.
Amalaki (Emblica officinalis): Amalaki (Indian gooseberry) provides vitamin C and improves immunity. It also helps restore energy and aid digestion.
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): Guduchi has immune-modulatory effects and helps with Cholera infections and fever.
Pippali (Piper longum): It is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders and digestion problems. Pippali works best in improving stomach function and destroying Cholera pathogens.
The symptoms of Cholera may come about as soon as a few hours to 5 days after exposure, generally within two to three days.
Cholera symptoms may improve within hours to days with full recovery in about a week with prompt and adequate treatment.
Cholera spreads in areas of poor sanitation but is not passed by casual contact. It involves eating contaminated food or water.
The Cholera germs could be killed by boiling water for more than a minute or with chlorine-based disinfectants.
Yes, frequent handwashing with soap and sanitised water for drinking and cooking can help prevent Cholera.
Eat light and easy to digest food, such as rice porridge and boiled potatoes, and avoid raw foods and dairy until recovery.
It's safe with precautions like bottled or boiled water, cooked foods and avoiding raw seafood and street food.
Yes, children are especially susceptible to Cholera and may require quicker medical attention than adults.
Increased severity of Dehydration signs such as extreme thirst, decreased urination and rapid weight loss suggest worsening Cholera.
Stool samples or rectal swabs are used to diagnose Cholera by detecting Vibrio Cholerae bacteria.
Ayurveda can ease symptoms and facilitate recovery alongside conventional therapies, but serious cases always require prompt medical attention.
