Hospitals filled with ‘overeating’ cases

Doctors advise people to also eat vegetables on Eidul Azha

KARACHI:

Thousands of people landed in hospitals due to gastrointestinal disorders during the Eidul Azha.

People let their gluttony unleashed as they indulged in meaty treats sending many to hospitals due to excessive eating or consuming undercooked meat.

Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Executive Director Professor Shahid Rasool confirmed that there was a 30 per cent rise in cases of gastroenteritis, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, and dysentery at government hospitals since the Eidul Azha holidays.

Around 400 people are reporting with gastrointestinal disorders at JPMC daily since the first day of Eidul Azha on last Thursday, Dr Shahid Rasool told The Express Tribune. Around 1,800 had checked in at the JPMC emergency ward only, he said quoting the figure available from the counter where details of patients are recorded at the time of admission.

The figure is only for JPMC, where as many other patients would go to Civil Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and scores of private hospitals and clinics in the sprawling city.

Dr Shahid Rasool attributed this surge to changes in dietary habits, including the consumption of undercooked meat and overeating. Many people, due to time constraints, do not properly cook the meat, which can lead to illness.

Additionally, continuous meat consumption throughout the day and overindulgence can upset stomachs. It is crucial to handle sacrificial meat properly and avoid consuming contaminated chutneys made with unclean water to prevent diarrhoea and vomiting.

Furthermore, excessive consumption of beef or mutton may increase the risk of organ cancer. To maintain a balanced diet and reduce the risk of food poisoning, individuals should include fruits, vegetables, and fresh food in their meals while staying hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2023.