Obesity epidemic of India

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Obesity in India is on the rise. It has reached enormous proportions. As I sit and count at airports, the number of women who look obviously overweight and obese, the figures I get is 8 out of 10. And this is around same in children of all sexes and around 6 in 10 men show clearcut overweight and obesity that is obvious even to naked eye. Anthropometric measurements might reveal more of them.  What are the likely causes? I have a theory that starts analysing these cases right from the 2000s or previous century. Junk food eating and sedantry lifestyle had already given an upward push to obesity in last century. And this also gave rise to diabetes mellitus in both men and women. Hence, such mothers also had diabetes in pregnancy. Some who did not have diabetes otherwise had gestational diabetes. From 2000 to 2026 prevalence of gestational diabetes has risen in india. It has even spread to rural areas and recent national data gives a figure of 22.4% which is almost 1 in 4 pregnant mot...
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Giardiasis: reason for stomach ache

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Giardiasis is an infectious gut condition caused by Giardia lamblia. This parasite reaches the gut via infected food and water. It attaches to the gut lining and proliferates to produce disease in the patient. 

Symptoms 

Giardiasis causes nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, bloating, loose motions, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite. It interferes with nutrients absorption and if untreated can gradually cause weight loss. 


Stools are pale in color, greasy and foul smelling. Loose motions are either recurrent or persistent. Heartburns are common. 

Read here: Obesity in children in India 

Reason for stomach ache in giardiasis 

1. The pathogens invade the gut lining and cause inflammation. 

2. There are muscle cramps due to the inflammatory response 

3. Gas formation leads to stomach ache

4. There is absorptive disorder. Bile salts are not absorbed and there is imbalance of acid formation. Hyperacidity is common and this too causes tummy pain. 

Prompt treatment with oral metronidazole or secnidazole cures the disorder. Five to seven days course with metronidazole or a stat dose of secnidazole is beneficial. 


Stool sampling may be required for diagnosis if symptoms are unusual or mild or mimic other gut conditions. 

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