Dysentery - sCauses, Symptions, Remedies and Preventions

Bacterial or viral infection; infestation of protozoa or parasitic worms (see Worms); chemical irritants. Inflammation of the rectum and large intestine, insufficient foods, improper diet, drinking too much liquid with meals, overeating, wrong combinations of foods, stimulating foods, liquor, tea, coffee, drinking impure water, unhygienic surroundings, eating fruits or vegetables that have begun to decompose, eating foods that have been standing in pantries that are not well ventilated, and eating improperly refrigerated, contaminated foods. Irritated bowels, habitual constipation, and taking certain types of medicine, such as laxatives, may also be the cause.

Abdominal pain, tenesmus (spasmodic contractions of anal or vesicle sphincter with pain and persistent desire to empty the bowel or bladder, with involuntary ineffectual straining efforts), diarrhea with passage of mucus or blood. More or less fever, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and restless at night.
Sometimes the abdomen is distended.

Severe symptoms:

Increasing fever, great thirst, red tongue, the abdomen may appear sunken in some cases, straining ceases, and the bowels become relaxed and may protrude.
Passage of urine is infrequent and is accompanied by a burning sensation.
The pulse becomes slow, breathing is rapid, and generally the patient looks pale and emaciated. Do not let this condition continue. See a doctor for the severe symptoms.

• Drink lots of water (mix a pinch of salt and sugar or some electrolyte available without prescription) to prevent dehydration.
• Drink 3-4 times half a cup of water with a few drops of Pudin Hara or Amritdhara(mint essence or peppermint) added.
• Drink 1/2 tsp of dry ginger (saunth powder in 1 cup buttermilk (chhachh) 3 - 4 times a day.
• Chew a few pieces of the inner lining of pomegranate with salt, and/or drink pomegranate juice.
• Drink a mixture of 1 tsp mint juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice, and 1 tsp honey.
• Grind a lemon along with seeds and rind to a paste. Add some salt. Take 1 tsp of this paste 2-3 times.
• Mix 1 Tbsp poppy seeds, 1 tsp edible gum, 1 tsp cardamom powder, 1/2 tsp nutmeg (jaiphal) powder, and2 tbs sugar, and grind to a powder. Take this powder every 2 hours.
• Mix 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice, and 1/4 tsp pepper powder and drink it.
• Mix 5-6 chopped basil (tulsi) leaves, 1/4 tsp sea salt, some black pepper in 3 Tbsp of curd, and eat it. repeat this 4 times a day for one week for complete reconditioning of stomach.
• Grate one raw papaya. Add 3 cups water, boil for 10 mins, strain and finish the water in one day.

The symptoms of dehydration are dry mouth, sunken soft spot, ethargic, or frequent watery stools. Babies may in addition cry without tears, or do not produce urine for eight hours. These symptoms should be taken seriously for both the adults and children.

Foods to be avoided during diarrhea or dysentery: Fruit juices, apricots, peas, pears, peaches, plums, prunes, etc..

Foods to be eaten during diarrhea or dysentery: Yogurt (Yogurt, Curd), buttermilk, mint, apple, pomegranate, papaya, banana, carrot, potato, etc. Children can also be given these foods.