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Time of India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Is your stomach bloated? Could be gastroenteritis, say doctors amid rising cases in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Experiencing stomach trouble in recent days? It might be more than just a bad meal. Hospitals across the city are witnessing a surge in gastrointestinal cases, with doctors pointing to a combination of seasonal shifts, poor sanitation and environmental stressors as the main culprits. Dr BS Ravindra, director of the department of gastroenterology and hepatology, Fortis Hospitals, said, "We're seeing an unusual spike in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cases — 10-15 new cases a day, up from the usual two or three. Even old cases are flaring up more frequently, with a 25-30% increase in relapses. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are becoming more aggressive, more acute. Patients walk in with symptoms that seem like routine gastroenteritis, but it's not so simple anymore. " Dr Ravindra suspects rising temperatures, contaminated food and water and food-borne infections during summer and early monsoon seasons as the reasons. "These factors are disrupting gut health and immunity, leading to sudden, intense aggravations of chronic disease. Even general gastroenteritis cases have jumped 15-20%." At Kauvery Hospitals, Dr Balaji Gurappa, consultant - gastroenterology, hepatology and interventional endoscopy, reported a similar trend. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo "We're currently seeing around 15 cases of gastroenteritis a day — a 60% spike compared to non-seasonal times. Rain, with stagnant water and poor sanitation, become an ideal condition for bacteria, viruses, and parasites to thrive. Infections peak during this period, leading to fever, stomach pain, vomiting, and dehydration. For patients with IBD, these infections act as triggers, reactivating dormant disease. Their recovery is slower, symptoms more stubborn." Dr Anoop KR, consultant - gastrointestinal science, Manipal Hospitals, noted many patients are elderly and already vulnerable because of pre-existing conditions. "We're seeing nearly six cases every day. It's a seasonal alert, but it's also a wake-up call: What we eat and how we live directly impact our gut health." Dr Adarsh CK, chief consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, said, "In recent weeks, we've definitely seen a spike in GI cases, 3-4 patients daily, much more than usual. The causes fall into two categories. First, poor lifestyle: Processed foods, junk, sugary drinks, no exercise, smoking, alcohol, classic signs of unhealthy westernisation. These lead to acid reflux, gastritis, IBS, even fatty liver. Second, a rise in infections, especially gastroenteritis, often triggered by weather changes."
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dehydration, poor lifestyle causing rise in gall bladder issues in Bengaluru: Experts
Bengaluru: As the city heats up, many people fail to stay hydrated, and this lack of water intake is directly contributing to the rise in gallbladder issues , say experts. City hospitals say gallbladder-related issues doubled in the past year, with cases jumping from 30 to 60 a month. Dr BS Ravindra, director, department of gastroenterology and hepatology, Fortis Hospitals, said, "We've seen a clear increase in gallstone cases this April and May. About a year ago, we were operating on around 35 gallstone cases a month. Now, that number jumped to 60. One major factor for the increase is the summer heat and reduced water intake. People tend to eat more oily and fried foods, and when they don't stay well hydrated, it can trigger gallstone formation. This pattern wasn't so visible in Jan or Feb this year, but by the end of March and into April and May, we've definitely seen a sharp rise in gallstone disease." Experts say any other fluids cannot replace water for Harshavardhan Rao B, HOD, medical gastroenterology at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, said, "We're seeing at least two to three new cases of gallstones every day now. Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list Two years ago, we would spot just two to three cases a week. Today, it's closer to 10 or 12. That's a steep rise, and it's clearly linked to lifestyle shifts. Since Covid, we've seen a marked increase in sedentary habits — people working from home, barely moving, and getting very little physical activity. That kind of lifestyle is a known risk factor for gallstones."The other big factor is diet. "We're eating more high-fat, low-fibre, highly processed food than ever before. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Vietnam (Take A Look At The Prices) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo India traditionally had a much lower prevalence of gallstones compared to western countries. But over the past decade or two, our eating habits changed drastically. Obesity and diabetes are rising too, and both are directly linked to gallstone formation. It's a clear sign that our health is paying the price for modern convenience," he Bhushan Chittawadagi, senior consultant, advanced laparoscopic, gastro, and GI cancer surgeon at Altius Hospital, said, "Over the past two to three months, I noticed a definite uptick, around 6 to 8 gallstone cases coming in, which is more than what we typically see. The poor lifestyle habits are closely linked to metabolic syndrome, a known trigger for gallstone formation. On top of that, the increased use of diagnostic tools like abdominal ultrasounds and advanced imaging means we're spotting more cases, including those that might've previously gone undetected."Precautions to prevent Gallbladder issues:- Drink adequate amount of water- Limit fried and fatty foods- Increase fibre intake- Exercise regularly- Routine checkupsSymptoms to Look Out For:- Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right side of the abdomen- Nausea and vomiting- Indigestion or bloating after eating fatty foods- Fever (if infection sets in)
